The University of Washington’s Institute for Health and Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) updated model estimates there will be nearly 300,000 coronavirus deaths by Dec. 1, but consistent mask-wearing could save more than 66,000 lives.
The IHME projects 295,011 coronavirus-related deaths by the beginning of December, approximately 136,000 more than the current U.S. tally of more than 159,000.
The new IHME estimate released Tuesday says, however, that if 95 percent of people in the U.S. starting today wear masks while in public the total number of deaths would drop to 228,271 — a 49 percent drop.
IHME Director Christopher Murray said preventive measures such as masks are critical to slowing the spread of the coronavirus, but inconsistent use among the public is a serious problem.
“We’re seeing a rollercoaster in the United States,” Murray said in a statement.
“It appears that people are wearing masks and socially distancing more frequently as infections increase, then after a while as infections drop, people let their guard down and stop taking these measures to protect themselves and others - which, of course, leads to more infections. And the potentially deadly cycle starts over again,” Murray said.
According to Murray, there appears to be fewer transmissions of the virus in Arizona, California, Florida and Texas, but he said deaths are rising and will continue to do so for the next week or two.
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