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Feb 21, 2023 · By Bret Stephens. Opinion Columnist. The most rigorous and comprehensive analysis of scientific studies conducted on the efficacy of masks for reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses ...
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People online are touting the results of a Cochrane review to incorrectly claim that it shows masks “don’t work” against the coronavirus. But the primary conclusion of the review is that it’s uncertain from randomized controlled trials whether mask interventions in the community help slow the spread of respiratory illnesses.
Three years into the COVID-19 pandemic, few topics have become as polarizing as masks. Some people claim masks are a panacea; others say masks are worthless or worse. The evidence, however, is more complicated and nuanced — and points somewhere in between, experts told us. Reigniting the debate — and sparking misinformation about masks from both si...
One reason the Cochrane review has garnered so much attention is because Cochrane has a reputation for excellence. The group doesn’t do original research, but performs what are called systematic reviews, which summarize the collective literature on a particular question in a careful and predetermined waythat minimizes bias. This prevents someone fr...
Benjamin Cowling, an epidemiologist at the University of Hong Kong who has studied masks, said he thought the review was very similar to other systematic reviews on the topic. But he found the authors’ conclusion that wearing masks in the community “probably makes little or no difference” to be problematic. He noted that the confidence intervals fo...
One point of confusion for many people is that lab studies show masks, mostly well-fitting and high-filtering N95 respirators, are good at blocking viral particles. This is evidence that masks can in theory be quite effective, both for individuals and for larger populations. Some scientists have pushed for people to use better masks, especiallyN95 ...
“About us.” Cochrane.org. Accessed 15 Mar 2023. Jefferson, Tom et al. “Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 30 Jan 2023. Statement on ‘Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses’ review. Cochrane.org. 10 Mar 2023. Tufekci, Zeyn...
Nov 4, 2023 · Don't put masks on anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious or otherwise unable to remove the mask without help. Don't put masks on children under age 2. Don't use face masks instead of physical distancing. What about face shields? Experts do not recommend using face shields instead of masks. It's not clear how much protection shields ...
Apr 20, 2022 · If both the sick person and their companion wore respirators, the infection risk dropped to just 0.4% after an hour. In other words, wearing a high-quality mask offers substantial protection even ...
Jan 15, 2022 · KN95 masks, which are certified in China and not approved by NIOSH, but have similar effectiveness as N95 masks. Unfortunately, counterfeit N95 and KN95 masks have become common. The CDC offers useful information on ways to spot counterfeit masks. Surgical masks are helpful, but less protective, partly because they do not fit snugly.
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Apr 27, 2022 · Medical masks performed better, including a surgical mask (47 percent to 50 percent protection), a loosefitting N95 (57 percent to 86 percent protection) and a tightly sealed N95 (79 percent to 90 ...
Jul 14, 2020 · This distinction between face coverings designed to protect the wearer, and those that may protect other people, has been central to the recent debate about face masks. In clinical settings, masks ...
