![]() This review, which analyzed mask effectiveness data pooled from multiple studies, reported that wearing a face mask made “little or no difference” in the number of influenza and COVID-19 cases. REVIEW A review published by the Cochrane Library on 30 January 2023 triggered renewed claims that face masks are ineffective at reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections. FULL CLAIM: Review “failed to find even a ‘modest effect’ on infection or illness rate” “the CDC Grossly Exaggerated the Evidence Supporting Mask Mandates” When taking those studies into account, evidence suggests that widespread mask usage can reduce community transmission of SARS-CoV-2, especially when combined with other interventions like frequent handwashing and physical distancing. In this context, many scientists consider that randomized controlled trials should be seen as a part of broader evidence including other study designs. However, this type of study can vary greatly in quality, particularly in complex interventions such as face masks, affecting the reliability of the results. I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable.Randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard when assessing the effectiveness of an intervention. ![]() I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as. NIHR grant number NIHR130721 Author DeclarationsĪll relevant ethical guidelines have been followed any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained and details of the IRB/oversight body are included in the manuscript.Īll necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived. John Conly holds grants from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, Alberta Innovates-Health Solutions and was the primary local Investigator for a Staphylococcus aureus vaccine study funded by Pfizer for which all funding was provided only to the University of Calgary for the conduct of the trial.Īll other authors have no interests to declare. TJ is Director Medical Affairs for BC Solutions, a market access company for medical devices in Europe (excluding devices relating to acute respiratory infections). TJ was the consultant scientific coordinator for the HTA Medical Technology programme of the Agenzia per i Servizi Sanitari Nazionali (AGENAS) of the Italian MoH (2007-2019). TJ consults for Illumina LLC on next generation gene sequencing (2019-). TJ is an unpaid collaborator to the project Beyond Transparency in Pharmaceutical Research and Regulation led by Dalhousie University and funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (2018-2022). TJ is co-holder of a Laura and John Arnold Foundation grant for development of a RIAT support centre (2017-2020) and Jean Monnet Network Grant, 2017-2020 for The Jean Monnet Health Law and Policy Network. If resolved in the United States’ favor, he would be entitled to a percentage of the recovery. TJ is a relator in a False Claims Act lawsuit on behalf of the United States that involves sales of Tamiflu for pandemic stockpiling. TJ was a member of an independent data monitoring committee for a Sanofi Pasteur clinical trial on an influenza vaccine (2015-2017). TJ was a member of three advisory boards for Boehringer Ingelheim (2014-16) TJ is occasionally interviewed by market research companies about phase I or II pharmaceutical products for which he receives fees (current). TJ was a member of an independent data monitoring committee for a Sanofi Pasteur clinical trial on an influenza vaccine. In 2014-2016, TJ was a member of three advisory boards for Boehringer Ingelheim. Tom Jefferson (TJ) was in receipt of a Cochrane Methods Innovations Fund grant to develop guidance on the use of regulatory data in Cochrane reviews (2015-018). Based on observational evidence from the previous SARS epidemic included in the previous version of our Cochrane review we recommend the use of masks combined with other measures. We found insufficient evidence for a difference between surgical masks and N95 respirators and limited evidence to support effectiveness of quarantine. There was insufficient evidence to provide a recommendation on the use of facial barriers without other measures. CONCLUSIONS Most included trials had poor design, reporting and sparse events.
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