Early on in the pandemic, WHO had warned that wearing a face mask could 'create a false sense of security that can lead to neglecting other essential measures such as hand hygiene practices'.
A new review published in BMJ Analysis has found that despite some concerns, wearing a face mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 does not give people a false sense of security and lead them to forget about other good hygiene behaviors such as washing hands and maintaining social distancing.
The team said at least 22 systematic reviews have already investigated whether wearing a mask can prevent the transmission of respiratory virus infections. Though none of the studies set out to assess risk compensation or evaluate social distancing, the findings suggested that wearing masks does not reduce how frequently a person washes or sanitizes their hands.
It is believed by some that risk compensation plays a role in several other everyday behaviors; a common example given is that mandating the wearing of bike helmets can actually lead to an increase in accidents. However, the authors say that other recent reviews have also failed to find evidence for risk compensation in this case.
"The concept of risk compensation, rather than risk compensation itself, seems the greater threat to public health through delaying potentially effective interventions that can help prevent the spread of disease," said lead author Professor Dame Theresa Marteau from the Behaviour and Health Research Unit, University of Cambridge.
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