PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Hurst, John R
AU  - Cumella, Andrew
AU  - Niklewicz, Camila Nagoda
AU  - Philip, Keir E J
AU  - Singh, Victoria
AU  - Hopkinson, Nicholas S
TI  - Acceptability of hygiene, face covering and social distancing interventions to prevent exacerbations in people living with airways diseases
AID  - 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2021-217981
DP  - 2021 Oct 21
TA  - Thorax
PG  - thoraxjnl-2021-217981
4099  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2021/10/20/thoraxjnl-2021-217981.short
4100  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2021/10/20/thoraxjnl-2021-217981.full
AB  - Interventions to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 have been associated with substantial reductions in exacerbations of airways diseases, likely through reduced transmission of other respiratory viruses. We surveyed 4442 people with airways disease (asthma=3627, bronchiectasis=258, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease=557) to gauge attitudes and intentions towards continuing such measures after the COVID-19 pandemic. 47% intended to continue wearing a face mask in indoor public spaces, and 61% thought everyone should be required to do so during the ‘influenza season. Women, those with bronchiectasis, and older people were generally more cautious. Respiratory virus infection control measures should be considered in clinical guidelines and public health recommendations.The data belong to the Asthma UK–British Lung Foundation Partnership and requests for data sharing can be made to the charity.