Communicating the Effectiveness of Hand Washing, Face Masking, Social Distancing and Lockdown in Forestalling the Spread of COVID-19 Infection across the Globe

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to explore the effectiveness of handwashing, face masking and social distancing in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Mixed-method research design was adopted, while questionnaire was shared on Facebook and WhatsApp to collect quantitative data. The daily cases from World Health Organisation (WHO) and Worldometers were analysed and compared and a structured interview was conducted with seven participants from around the world to understand the global perception and compliance to hand washing, face masking and social distancing. The findings showed that there is a global awareness of the severity of COVID-19 and that the measures of face mask, hand washing, social distance and lockdown were sure ways to prevent the spread. The researchers concluded that, although, the implementations and faithfulness of these measures are inadequate, they remain effective ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 for now. It was, therefore, recommended among others, the creation of awareness and education of the general populace on the importance of wearing masks, washing hands, keeping social distance and the need for the lockdown, rather than making it a rule of law.