Long-Term Acceptability of Hygiene, Face Covering, and Social Distancing Interventions to Prevent Exacerbations in people living with Airways Diseases

IntroductionThere has been a substantial reduction in admissions to hospital with exacerbations of airways diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic, likely because measures introduced to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 also reduced transmission of other respiratory viruses. The acceptability to patients of continuing such interventions beyond the pandemic as a measure to prevent exacerbations is not known. MethodAn online survey of people living with respiratory disease was created by the Asthma UK - British Lung Foundation Partnership. People were asked what infection control measures they expected to continue themselves, and what they thought should be policy for the population more generally in the future, once the COVID-19 pandemic had subsided. Results4442 people completed the survey: 3627 with asthma, 258 with bronchiectasis and 557 with COPD. Regarding personal behaviour, 79.5% would continue increased handwashing, 68.6% social distancing indoors, 46.9% would continue to wear a face covering in indoor public places (45.7% on public transport), and 59.3% would avoid friends and family who were unwell with a respiratory infection. 45.6% wanted healthcare professionals to continue wearing a mask when seeing patients. 60.7% thought that face coverings should continue to be worn by everyone in indoor public spaces during the flu season. Women and older people were, in general, more cautious. ConclusionPeople living with airways diseases are supportive of infection control measures to reduce the risk of exacerbations and such measures should be considered for inclusion in guidelines. Further research to refine understanding of the most effective approaches is needed.