Are Face Masks Effective? The Evidence

"A cluster randomised trial of cloth masks compared with medical masks in healthcare workers" https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577
An overview of the current evidence regarding the effectiveness of face masks.
1. Studies on the effectiveness of face masks
So far, most studies found little to no evidence for the effectiveness of cloth face masks in the general population, neither as personal protective equipment nor as a source control.
- A May 2020 meta-study on pandemic influenza (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/5/19-0994_article) published by the US CDC found that face masks had no effect, neither as personal protective equipment nor as a source control.
- A July 2020 review (https://www.cebm.net/covid-19/masking-lack-of-evidence-with-politics/) by the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medince found that there is no evidence for the effectiveness of cloth masks against virus infection or transmission.
- A Covid-19 cross-country study (https://www.uea.ac.uk/about/-/new-study-reveals-blueprint-for-getting-out-of-covid-19-lockdown) by the University of East Anglia came to the conclusion that a mask requirement was of no benefit and could even increase the risk of infection.
- An April 2020 review (https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/04/commentary-masks-all-covid-19-not-based-sound-data) by two US professors in respiratory and infectious disease from the University of Illinois concluded that face masks have no effect in everyday life, neither as self-protection nor to protect third parties (so-called source control).
- An article (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2006372) in the New England Journal of Medicine from May 2020 came to the conclusion that cloth face masks offer little to no protection in everyday life.
- A July 2020 study (http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13523664) by Japanese researchers found that cloth masks “offer zero protection against coronavirus” due to their large pore size and generally poor fit.
- A 2015 study in the British Medical Journal BMJ Open found that (https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577) cloth masks were penetrated by 97% of particles and may increase infection risk by retaining moisture or repeated use.
https://williambowles.info/2020/08/05/are-face-masks-effective-the-evidence/
A new study (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1526054224000745) co-authored by Tracy Beth Høeg delves into the side effects of masking, a subject completely ignored by experts and politicians desperate to exert control over individual behavior.
And in their discussion, it’s immediately obvious why their research and conclusions will be completely ignored by the mainstream media.
“There is a lack of robust evidence of benefit from masking children to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or other respiratory viruses,” they explain. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
"The highest quality evidence available for masking children for COVID-19 or other viral respiratory infections has failed to find a beneficial impact against transmission. Mechanistic studies showing reduced viral transmission from use of face masks and respirators have not translated to real world effectiveness. Identified harms of masking include negative effects on communication and components of speech and language, ability to learn and comprehend, emotional and trust development, physical discomfort, and reduction in time and intensity of exercise."
https://brownstone.org/articles/study-confirms-the-truth-about-masks-and-children/
Cloth mask increases risk
"I am a fourth-year student doctor at the University of Washington. After reading the article discussing mandating cloth masks in Spokane, I felt it necessary to share research showing that cloth masks increase risk of infection.
Prior to COVID-19, hospital staff seldom wore masks outside of direct patient care. This is because universal masking is unnecessary and provides a false sense of security. In 2015 a randomized trial found that the rates of viral infection were significantly higher with cloth masks compare to medical masks and that 97% of particles go through cloth masks.
This article also noted that cloth masks have increased moisture retention, are often reused and with the poor filtration there is likely an increased risk of infection. Keep in mind, the people in this research had medical training on proper mask usage.
The general public will likely almost immediately contaminate their mask by touching it. COVID-19 along with other bacteria and viruses will logically be able to live on the surface of the cloth mask longer because it is warm and moist. The general public should not be mandated to breathe through virus-infested material.
Research shows wearing a mask outside of direct patient care has more to do with reducing anxiety than it does with reducing infection rates.
Based on this medical evidence and standard hospital practices, I am strongly against cloth mask use and urge our public officials to not mandate cloth masks in public."
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/may/22/cloth-mask-increases-risk/
How many times do you have to hear and see the evidence?
https://x.com/RealDrJaneRuby/status/1848453745056600126