Joint GI Society Statement on Measures to Prevent Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Virus
July 3, 2020
The AASLD, ACG, AGA and ASGE medical professional societies are dedicated to improving the digestive health and wellbeing of all people regardless of age, sex, race, or ethnicity. We strongly endorse the wearing of face masks and of physical separation in any public area to prevent the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These are essential preventive measures given that many individuals who can transmit the virus may be completely asymptomatic. Our endorsement is based on the recommendation by the CDC that people wear cloth face coverings outside their household and keep 6 feet between themselves and others.[i] Evidence from several studies[ii] suggests that masks combined with physical distancing and consistent hand washing/sanitizing help prevent transmission.
[i] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
[ii] See e.g. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31142-9/fulltext
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