• Login
  • Register
The Daily Sceptic
No Result
View All Result
  • Articles
  • About
  • Archive
    • ARCHIVE
    • NEWS ROUND-UPS
  • Podcasts
  • Newsletter
  • Premium
  • Donate
  • Log In
The Daily Sceptic
No Result
View All Result

Masks Have Made No Meaningful Difference to Delta – Oxford Professor

by Will Jones
29 November 2021 10:22 PM

Professor Jim Naismith, Director of the Rosalind Franklin Institute and Professor of Structural Biology at the University of Oxford, has pointed out that, despite England dropping its mask mandate in July while Scotland kept its one in force, there is no evidence of this policy making any difference in the two countries’ infection rates. He writes:

The ONS survey results on prevalence shows that the Scottish and English approach to masking, although formally different since July, has made no meaningful difference to Delta. In both countries very high levels of prevalence have continued for months. Thus the new changes announced are unlikely to have much of an impact if Omicron does indeed spread rapidly.

You can see the ONS graphs below for yourself, and he’s right. Yet the Government has re-imposed masks in schools, shops and on public transport, despite there being no evidence that they make any significant impact on the spread of disease.

ONS
Tags: Delta variantInfection SurveyMask MandatesMasksONS

Donate

We depend on your donations to keep this site going. Please give what you can.

Donate Today

Comment on this Article

You’ll need to set up an account to comment if you don’t already have one. We ask for a minimum donation of £5 if you'd like to make a comment or post in our Forums.

Sign Up
Previous Post

JCVI Recommends That All Adults Should Receive Booster Jabs – And Approves Use of The Pfizer Jab For 12 to 15 Year-Olds

Next Post

News Round-Up

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
Please log in to comment

To join in with the discussion please make a donation to The Daily Sceptic.

Profanity and abuse will be removed and may lead to a permanent ban.

67 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
CynicalRealist
CynicalRealist
3 years ago

Nobody has yet demonstrated any meaningful impact anywhere in the world! The politicians and their henchmen continue to insist that they work, but mask mandates remain completely invisible in all statistics graphs – it’s impossible to tell when mandates were imposed, removed, or even whether there was one at all.

33
0
Vxi7
Vxi7
3 years ago
Reply to  CynicalRealist

For general public it is not possible that the mask works as everyone use a mask for extended time, they put it on and remove multiple times per day, they do not wear it properly etc.

6
-3
Dave Angel Eco Warrior
Dave Angel Eco Warrior
3 years ago
Reply to  Vxi7

It doesn’t matter whether they wear it properly or not as they don’t work either way.

20
0
willing vaccinee
willing vaccinee
3 years ago
Reply to  Dave Angel Eco Warrior

You know that how?

0
-8
Julian
Julian
3 years ago
Reply to  willing vaccinee

Prove beyond a reasonable doubt that masks work to a significant enough degree to warrant mandates. Burden of proof is on those who advocate unorthodox interventions that have previously been dismissed by consensus as useless or damaging = pretty much everything done since 2020. WHO pandemic planning (and ours) thrown out of the window.

13
0
willing vaccinee
willing vaccinee
3 years ago
Reply to  CynicalRealist

Well that’s what all the sceptics say, so it will be repeated as fact.

0
-12
Julian
Julian
3 years ago
Reply to  willing vaccinee

Repeated as fact where and by whom?

“That’s what all the sceptics say”. That’s what the evidence shows. Same goes for all other interventions – no pattern of correlation. Strongest correlation is the start of mass vaxxing and a spike in deaths.

14
0
Ritchie2
Ritchie2
3 years ago

Have yet to read an actual medical study that supports mask wearing over and above the ‘precautionary principle’. Medical grade N95 masks, of course – that is what they are designed to do.

The guidance should be ‘Wear a mask if it makes you feel better’. Nothing more.

32
0
Dave Angel Eco Warrior
Dave Angel Eco Warrior
3 years ago
Reply to  Ritchie2

Indeed. The best they’ve ever come up with is that they may, in certain circumstances, reduce transmission. In other words, they may not.

7
0
SimCS
SimCS
3 years ago
Reply to  Dave Angel Eco Warrior

The literal phrases the govt used in the original mask mandate were “thought to” and “assumed to”, with no scientific support whatsoever. You are right, the overwhelming majority case is “may not”. Moreover, the understanding now is that the virus is carried on aerosols, which pass straight through masks, not on droplets, which ‘may’ be stopped (in, and out). Give me evidence over precautionary principle any day.

2
0
SimCS
SimCS
3 years ago
Reply to  Ritchie2

The ‘precautionary principle’ related to masks should of course say “do not wear them” as the risk to health is likely too high.

0
0
sophie123
sophie123
3 years ago

I don’t need a mask. I have a magic rock.

12
-1
Jess
Jess
3 years ago
Reply to  sophie123

“I have a magic rock”

I have a hooter that’s been blocked every winter I can remember. I go by the precautionary principle and always have tissues ready.

Last edited 3 years ago by Jess
1
0
wryobserver
wryobserver
3 years ago

The evidence suggests that masks that do not meet the FFP2 standard are useless, while those that do are not. In the last two days I would reckon that 90%+ of the masks out and about are cloth or paper masks that are inadequate. So it may not be surprising that research shows masks don’t work – the wrong masks are being tested.

3
0
Jon Garvey
Jon Garvey
3 years ago
Reply to  wryobserver

Those studies that suggest benefit from FFP2 have controlled single use, fitting and so on. There is not a snowball’s chance in hell of supplying and training training the public to use masks in any beneficial way. And no attempt has been made.

It’s the equivalent of saying “Surgeons’ scrubbing up significantly reduces operative infections – so washing your hands regularly will do the same for COVID.”

11
0
Flying Kites
Flying Kites
3 years ago
Reply to  wryobserver

Masks are doing as intended. They empower individualism. They are disposable and fill up landfills, oceans, and any other natural space, because each citizen only wants to carry the most minimal burden of a socialist and ideological wasteland which is demoralizing them into nonreproduction. Thinking that humans are equal and only need to be educated is what gives power to the globalist tyranny. “Man as the measure of the world” and other ideas of the self before any other, including transcendent, order must be nipped in the bud, and only then can ecological blights such as pandemics, ocean freight shipping and human trafficking and overpopulation be reversed to a point of non-contention with the natural orders of cultural and genetic human diversity and of nature, or the natural world.

0
0
5rise
5rise
3 years ago

For those that bother to click the link to read on will find these two sentences, one after the other:

“Beyond vaccination, ventilation is an effective measure as is universal masking.

“However, the ONS survey results on prevalence shows that the Scottish and English approach to masking although formally different since July has made no meaningful difference to Delta.”

There is an apparent contradiction but in selectively using only a part of what he said, you are deliberately spreading misinformation.

I don’t want to wear a mask because I feel they are useless, but I will be wary of coming to your site for information to support my decision.

1
-3
willing vaccinee
willing vaccinee
3 years ago
Reply to  5rise

Agreed much of this site is just read-believe-repeat.
Or read -select and misinterpret- state as fact…

1
-7
Judy Watson
Judy Watson
3 years ago
Reply to  willing vaccinee

Oh no!!!
Another troll

3
-1
willing vaccinee
willing vaccinee
3 years ago
Reply to  5rise

You are Wrong on the useless part.

0
-5
RickH
RickH
3 years ago
Reply to  willing vaccinee

And you are wrong on everything so far.

5
0
RickH
RickH
3 years ago
Reply to  5rise

You, ‘feel` they are useless?

The point is that no evidence supports their general use. That is why they are not recommended in coherent strategies.

5
0
SimCS
SimCS
3 years ago
Reply to  RickH

And even our chief scientific or medical officer, and the US equivalent Anthony Fauci, originally said the public should *not* wear them, then suddenly, with no evidence offered, changed their minds.

4
0
5rise
5rise
3 years ago
Reply to  RickH

I think you are missing the point of my comment. Irrespective of how I “feel” the article states: “Beyond vaccination, ventilation is an effective measure as is universal masking.”

So how can this article be used as evidence that masks don’t work?

If you have strong evidence that masks don’t work then please provide a link.

0
0
Anti_socialist
Anti_socialist
3 years ago

I disagree, the graph shows Scotland fared worse with masks, which supports my hypothesis masks probably increase risk of more severe covid. I think if you walked into a room to place an item (say a cup of coffee) down & walked straight back out, a mask MAY offer a tiny protective benefit.

If you wear the same mask for any longer than a few moments, then it becomes saturated & you are simply increasing the volume of unhealthy particles you breathe in. If there was any gain from covering your face, I’m almost certain evolution would have discovered it first.

5
0
DoctorCOxford
DoctorCOxford
3 years ago

Anyone else noticed the media repeatedly saying “a new study firmly proves masks reduce infections 53%”? Because it keeps showing up. Observational studies on masks especially are of 0 use. What you need is actual comparable populations studied over long periods. The most positive real world studies show a max of 10% reduction, which sounds good until you realise that the 10% most benefiting are young and active and most likely to come into contact with Covid, thus showing little if any impact on care issues.

What we know now is that aerosols are 100-1000x smaller than pores of masks of lower quality than N95. They cannot by definition stop the virus, and that is why England and Wales have seen no sign to isn’t divergence in Covid rates (Wales was higher before 19 July, and remained such after). For those at risk, the government could have provided N95 masks, training, and cleaning institution. Instead it wasted billions on test and trace and other useless ideas.

While I have a real health issue that exempts me (time to be stared at again), I might actually try and wear one again if they made a difference. I won’t however wear a magic amulet just to appease the need to “do something” or “take things seriously.” I live in a world filled with scientists who know when you hypothesis has failed, you have to change you hypothesis. We haven’t. Masks became favoured after Asia’s light issues in early Covid. Must be the masks bad scientists said. Turns out it wasn’t and that later waves came along. Billions have been spent on masks (it’s an almost £500b industry now); and the number of lives saved, if any, are so tiny compared to know changes (ventilation, UV light, etc) that someone should be held accountable. No one ever will be.

6
0
Julian
Julian
3 years ago
Reply to  DoctorCOxford

“While I have a real health issue that exempts me” Sorry to hear about your health issue. I have always been puzzled by the exemptions. It’s so vague as to be impossible to interpret consistently. I’ve not heard of a test case, which is a shame.

1
-1
DoctorCOxford
DoctorCOxford
3 years ago
Reply to  Julian

First two weeks that masks came into play I wore one twice (it was summer so we avoided indoor settings) and I passed out both times. So, as my GP said, “we need to figure out why but for goodness sakes, stop wearing the d@mn thing.” The rest is boring.

But you are right. Look, I’m a rule keeper even when the rules are asinine. But i have no issue with those who refuse idiotic rules. I just don’t have that spirit. But for us with real exemptions we get the same look, so I have to learn the same courage regardless. Masks (save N95 and better) are utter theatre, but the past 2 years has been a bad theatrical run that keeps getting new investment and that forces us to watch.

4
0
Julian
Julian
3 years ago
Reply to  DoctorCOxford

Indeed your exemption is pretty cut and dried.

1
0
SimCS
SimCS
3 years ago
Reply to  DoctorCOxford

There are air quality measurement devices for use in industrial applications to protect people, e.g. those working in confined and hazardous environments. One of these was used to test the air inside a mask. It alarmed within seconds.

1
0
SimCS
SimCS
3 years ago
Reply to  Julian

When there are a myriad of different exemption clauses, 1 test case is never going to work.

0
0
Judy Watson
Judy Watson
3 years ago
Reply to  DoctorCOxford

Masks are commonly worn in Asia due to the air pollution. N95 masks are best protection against PM2.5 particles but even these will lat the covid virus through.

1
0
BS665
BS665
3 years ago

As I keep telling people: ‘99% of people have been wearing masks for almost two years. In that time the virus has ‘gone up’ and ‘gone down’ several times. So, which ‘up’ or ‘down’ was caused by masks, which were a constant over this period?’

No one ever answers me…

But were masks ever about health?

Last edited 3 years ago by BS665
9
0
willing vaccinee
willing vaccinee
3 years ago
Reply to  BS665

No refusing to wear one became a symbol of defiance by idiots. Apart from the minor in tease in infection risk to others, it has the impact of scaring some people. Is that an actual intention?

0
-6
BS665
BS665
3 years ago
Reply to  willing vaccinee

Not sure what you are saying. Please rephrase.

2
0
RickH
RickH
3 years ago
Reply to  willing vaccinee

Sorry you’re scared witless. But, of course, that’s the intention.

No doubt you also believe the Omicron crap and all its precedent myths whilst sucking up unproven snake-oil?

BTW – Scoientific method requires substantiation of the positive hypothesis, not the negative.

4
0
willing vaccinee
willing vaccinee
3 years ago
Reply to  BS665

99%…not really true is it?
Not constant either,
I think your hypothesis is not proven

1
-2
BS665
BS665
3 years ago
Reply to  willing vaccinee

It was rhetorical exaggeration. Does 75% or 85% make much difference? But my logic stands. There is no tangible effect.

2
0
TheyLiveAndWeLockdown
TheyLiveAndWeLockdown
3 years ago

When you know the relative sizes of cloth gaps and viral particles”Wire fences made no Meaningful Difference to malaria”makes as much sense.

4
0
Jack Daw
Jack Daw
3 years ago

Wearing masks is nothing to do with preventing spread, they are all about keeping people nervous and compliant. It’s the ‘nudge unit’ doing its thing again.
Frankly, I’m surprised that the British public are too dim-witted to realise what’s going on.

12
0
grob1234
grob1234
3 years ago
Reply to  Jack Daw

But but but just imagine how bad it would be if we didn’t have masks…. 🙄

3
0
BS665
BS665
3 years ago
Reply to  Jack Daw

Sadly, they realise, but are growing to love it.

0
0
grob1234
grob1234
3 years ago
Reply to  BS665

Just watch 5 minutes of the BBC. If they had their way we’d all be locked up already.

Hardly surprising that most people are terrified when they only rely on the MSM

4
0
Jack Daw
Jack Daw
3 years ago

https://royalsociety.org/-/media/policy/projects/set-c/set-c-facemasks.pdf?la=en-GB&hash=A22A87CB28F7D6AD9BD93BBCBFC2BB24

Below are just two comments from this study often cited by pro-maskers.

“Once again, we note that this is about the protection of the wearer and not about reducing spread”

“It is important to know that the evidence of the benefit of using a face covering to protect others is weak and the effect is likely to be small”

So those that want to wear them, if they believe they offer protection, can. Those that don’t want to wear them should not be forced to.

7
0
grob1234
grob1234
3 years ago
Reply to  Jack Daw

All of this should be a suggestion rather than mandated.

If you feel scared stay at home.
if you want your 200th booster that’s your call.
If you want to open all your windows in the middle of winter crack on.
But just leave the rest of us alone!!!!

12
-1
Julian
Julian
3 years ago
Reply to  grob1234

As Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota wrote in one of her most memorable tweets

“If you’re still worried about covid, get vaccinated, wear a mask, stay at home. We’re not going to mandate anything”.

The only things she tweets about covid now are to do with the various legal cases being fought by states against the Federal vaxx mandates. They have moved on.

9
0
willing vaccinee
willing vaccinee
3 years ago
Reply to  grob1234

Suggestions don’t work.

0
-5
willing vaccinee
willing vaccinee
3 years ago
Reply to  Jack Daw

Of course they should be forced to wear them.

0
-4
Judy Watson
Judy Watson
3 years ago
Reply to  willing vaccinee

Ok I am now truly fed up of you why don’t you just piss off.
Any more of your stupid comments snd you will be red flagged

4
0
grob1234
grob1234
3 years ago

Very much looking forward to reading reports throughout the day of people’s experience out and about.

I have to go to my local Co op today. I’ll obviously go mask less. Will be interesting to see if any others have the foresight to also go mask less.

12
-1
willing vaccinee
willing vaccinee
3 years ago
Reply to  grob1234

Is that to show your defiance, or are you seeking to make the situation worse, or you trying to upset People?

0
-14
Jess
Jess
3 years ago
Reply to  willing vaccinee

If you think ordering a population to strap masks over their faces, with fines for those who won’t roll over and do as they’re told, isn’t all about upsetting people into a state of panic then you must be very gullible.

7
0
Backlash
Backlash
3 years ago
Reply to  grob1234

I shall be going to wokebury’s at noon as it’s convenient. I am chomping at the bit for conflict with a militant little arsehole.

4
0
Judy Watson
Judy Watson
3 years ago
Reply to  Backlash

Have fun!!

3
0
grob1234
grob1234
3 years ago
Reply to  grob1234

Well as promised I went out, and very pleased to report exactly the same number of people mask less. Around 25% with masks on. Great stuff.

7
0
enyaw
enyaw
3 years ago
Reply to  grob1234

Our local NISA (who use co-op goods) was full of masked shoppers, but the staff were notably open-faced. But hopefully it’ll get back to how it was a few days ago as people start to wake up.

1
0
grob1234
grob1234
3 years ago

Interestingly the government website still says I am not legally required to wear a mask in any setting….

”You are no longer legally required to wear a face covering in any setting. Therefore you do not need to rely on an exemption if you need one.”

6
0
willing vaccinee
willing vaccinee
3 years ago
Reply to  grob1234

Really..post a link if true

0
-6
grob1234
grob1234
3 years ago
Reply to  willing vaccinee

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own#exempt

Here you go, my darling.

I’m very sorry if that makes your little bottom lip tremble as you’re too scared to go out, but I’m afraid there is very much a way round this….

2
0
Jess
Jess
3 years ago
Reply to  grob1234

Yup – I noticed that. Someone either wilfully decided not to delete it from the government’s site or it just wasn’t noticed. We shouldn’t be bringing it to attention really.

3
0
grob1234
grob1234
3 years ago
Reply to  Jess

I have downloaded it, just in case 🙂

1
0
grob1234
grob1234
3 years ago

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/59473695?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=61a5e526531c2c473335f6e7%26Little%20compliance%20with%20new%20mask%20rules%20at%20Manchester%20travel%20hub%262021-11-30T09%3A06%3A24.001Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:16d19cda-3e91-4423-bcf3-9dadd8ab80f8&pinned_post_asset_id=61a5e526531c2c473335f6e7&pinned_post_type=share

Maybe there is hope! Good news!

0
0
cloud6
cloud6
3 years ago

Face covering is pure theatre, just go into the real world and see for yourself.

I understand that this latest Government edict is to last 3 weeks (Uh). I put it to you the Government is looking for a win if within 3 weeks this latest scariest (Moronic variant) fizzle’s out they will be all over it (with the BBC) and say that face-covering worked, we told you so…

People in the constituency of North Shropshire will head to the polls on 16 December to elect an MP.

What a designed bit of timing, just when the current restrictions are due to end.

2
0
SimCS
SimCS
3 years ago

As has been posted before: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/47-studies-confirm-inefectiveness-of-masks-for-covid-and-32-more-confirm-their-negative-health-effects/

This mask mandate fits the new variant response, both being moronic.

2
0
BS665
BS665
3 years ago

If masks work, why are we still in a ‘pandemic’?

If the wearers feel safe, why do they fear the maskless?

If the wearers don’t feel safe, why are they still wearing the masks?

When will masks get us out of this situation?

If they do not get us out of this situation, are the wearers certifiably insane, cowards, morons, or brainwashed?

As to ventilation: ditto. Plus it causes colds and covidlike symptoms in public buildings such as libraries, reinforcing the Covid Ourobouros.

Wake up or remain a slave in perpetuity.

Last edited 3 years ago by BS665
9
0
ventilatorfixer
ventilatorfixer
3 years ago

I work in a hospital and we have to wear surgical masks when in public areas. We are issued with these.

It says on the box effective protection against bacteria, covid is a virus, so if these are not designed to stop a virus how can a piece of cloth or a plastic shield offer any meaningful protection.

Also while walking around i could smell food from the canteen and when i farted in the lift i could smell this also, so this also makes me question the effectiveness.

We do wear Medical grade N95 masks when agp’s are in process but these are “fit tested” to the wearer with a smell test.

Our local MP what’s spot fines for those who choose not to wear a covering.

I will just wear the minimum i can get away with when shopping (a snood with a clowns face) I will be smiling inside at the sheep who think they are protected.

3
0
LonePatriot
LonePatriot
3 years ago

Ivermectin help reduce the severity of vaccine adverse reactions. If someone is suffering from a post vaccine syndrome, FLCCC clinicians and a growing network of colleagues have reported significant clinical responses to ivermectin. Because Ivermectin has 5 different mechanisms of action against coronaviruses, the medication is also effective with the different variants of the virus. Get your Ivermectin while you still can! https://ivmpharmacy.com

0
0

NEWSLETTER

View today’s newsletter

To receive our latest news in the form of a daily email, enter your details here:

DONATE

PODCAST

In Episode 35 of the Sceptic: Andrew Doyle on Labour’s Grooming Gang Shame, Andrew Orlowski on the India-UK Trade Deal and Canada’s Ignored Covid Vaccine Injuries

by Richard Eldred
9 May 2025
1

LISTED ARTICLES

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest

Sun-Dimming Quango has £800 Million of Taxpayer Money to Blow – and a CEO on £450k

8 May 2025

News Round-Up

9 May 2025

The Sugar Tax Sums Up Our Descent into Technocratic Dystopia

8 May 2025

BBC Quietly Edits Question Time After Wrongly ‘Correcting’ Richard Tice on Key Net Zero Claim

9 May 2025

UK “Shafted” by US Trade Deal

8 May 2025

News Round-Up

26

The Sugar Tax Sums Up Our Descent into Technocratic Dystopia

26

Electric Car Bursts into Flames on Driveway and Engulfs £550,000 Family Home

14

Sun-Dimming Quango has £800 Million of Taxpayer Money to Blow – and a CEO on £450k

28

What Does David Lammy Mean by a State?

11

BBC Quietly Edits Question Time After Wrongly ‘Correcting’ Richard Tice on Key Net Zero Claim

9 May 2025

Electric Car Bursts into Flames on Driveway and Engulfs £550,000 Family Home

9 May 2025

“I Was a Super Fit Cyclist Until I Had the Moderna Covid Vaccine. What Happened Next Left Me Wishing I Was Dead”

9 May 2025

Nature Paper Claims to Pin Liability for ‘Climate Damages’ on Oil Companies

9 May 2025

What Does David Lammy Mean by a State?

9 May 2025

POSTS BY DATE

November 2021
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930  
« Oct   Dec »

SOCIAL LINKS

Free Speech Union
  • Home
  • About us
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy

Facebook

  • X

Instagram

RSS

Subscribe to our newsletter

© Skeptics Ltd.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
wpDiscuz
No Result
View All Result
  • Articles
  • About
  • Archive
    • ARCHIVE
    • NEWS ROUND-UPS
  • Podcasts
  • Newsletter
  • Premium
  • Donate
  • Log In

© Skeptics Ltd.

You are going to send email to

Move Comment
Perfecty
Do you wish to receive notifications of new articles?
Notifications preferences