"The DANMASK-19 trial randomized participants to follow those public health measures with or without an additional recommendation to wear a surgical mask when outside the home. Mask use outside of hospitals was uncommon in Denmark at the time. After 1 month of follow-up, 1.8% of participants in the mask group and 2.1% in the control group developed infection. While the evidence excludes a large personal protective effect of mask wearing, it weakly supports lesser degrees of protection, and cannot definitively exclude no effect. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine."
From Results:
Infection with SARS-CoV-2 occurred in 42 participants recommended masks (1.8%) and 53 control participants (2.1%). ... Although the difference observed was not statistically significant, the 95% CIs are compatible with a 46% reduction to a 23% increase in infection.
To Conclusions:
..did not reduce the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate among wearers by more than 50%
Very guarded - almost controlled - bottom line, I would say.
If there is only a very marginal benefit to correctly worn, disposable surgical masks, then it's reasonable to assume that there is no benefit whatsoever to the flimsy, germ infested bits of cloth that most people are wearing.
Is anyone aware of a good study into the potential health hazards of mask wearing?
Follow up study would be interesting checking for bacterial/fungal infections in mask v non mask groups.
"The DANMASK-19 trial randomized participants to follow those public health measures with or without an additional recommendation to wear a surgical mask when outside the home. Mask use outside of hospitals was uncommon in Denmark at the time. After 1 month of follow-up, 1.8% of participants in the mask group and 2.1% in the control group developed infection. While the evidence excludes a large personal protective effect of mask wearing, it weakly supports lesser degrees of protection, and cannot definitively exclude no effect. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine."
Yes I have been reading it.
Apart from the fact that there is no statistical distinction between 1.8% and 2.1% so that the mask wearers had no advantage, just look at how LOW the numbers are. A mere 2%. This is why whole populations are repressed? Is this why Nicola Sturgeon just imprisoned millions of people and destroyed livelihoods?
Also, the study focussed on surgical masks where participants were shown how to properly wear them. So what about the loose fitting pieces of cloth people hang off their ears?
I can see the retort on the pro-mask pages now: "Study shows Danes do not understand anything about mask wearing" ... or ... "Danish scientists in league with conspiracy theorists" ... or ... "Viking genes found resistant to coronavirus" ... or .... "Speaking Danish reduces transmission of virus" ...
That is enough for now.
