Major Study Finds Masks Don’t Reduce COVID-19 Infection Rates <<MOD WARNING>>

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I wear a mask when I go out into the public where required. Have even had to turn around and go back home to get one. I follow the guidelines and have even given those "looks" to someone in the store not wearing one.
Have I been wrong?

Major Study Finds Masks Don’t Reduce COVID-19 Infection Rates

A high-quality, large-scale Danish study finds no evidence that wearing a face mask significantly minimizes people’s risk of contracting COVID-19. The randomized-control trial found no statistically significant difference in coronavirus infection rates between mask-wearers and non-mask-wearers. In fact, according to the data, mask usage may actually increase the likelihood of infection......

.....the Danish researchers found that there was no statistically significant difference between wearing a mask or not in preventing people from contracting COVID-19.

“In the third post hoc analysis, which investigated constellations of patient characteristics, we did not find a subgroup where face masks were effective at conventional levels of statistical significance,” researchers found.

The randomized-control trial, which is considered the “gold-standard” design for scientific research, had a large sample size of more than 6,000 people. Most studies conducted on various kinds of face masks against various coronaviruses are neither randomized, controlled trials nor conducted regarding the specific SARS-CoV-2 virus currently affecting the world.
https://thefederalist.com/2020/11/18/major-study-finds-masks-dont-reduce-covid-19-infection-rates/

So it appears the science says mask do nothing. And in fact make it worse. And as an example go watch the beginning of Biden's "news conference" the other day when he comes out wearing his mask. He then takes it off and then handles it with his bare hands folding it and almost rubbing the outside with his fingers then sets it down and what does he do but rub his nose with his fingers. He just eliminated whatever protection the mask may have given him.

So will will he "follow the science now" and stop saying mask offer the best chance of stopping COVID? Will state and local officials? Will CDC? Will the MSM report it?

 

https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-6817

is the direct link to the study results.

 

does this really come as a surprise? The mask is nothing more than symbolic and the govt making appearances of doing something, albeit useless. Lockdowns don't eradicate the virus as is evident by lockdown 2.0 and 3.0 in areas that simply want to control their people.

Masking up doesn't eradicate the virus either as we see post-lockdown, masked up folks catching the virus. Sadly, too many have fallen in-line with the church of the mask. I see folks masked up, all alone while driving. I see folks walking alone outside and masked up.

What should we say to those folks when they catch the virus? Do we blame the 1 or 2 folks who are not masked (democrat voters would) or do we come clean and tell them that's it's all been symbolic?

 

I honestly don't know what to think anymore but do wear a mask while out. I've done it even as mask mandates have been lifted and then re-instated here.

I will note that air travel is increasing again at a big rate. Though not at pre-Covid levels, it's way up from the lows earlier this year. Also, I've noticed that the news networks have all made room for airline spokesmen to go on and talk about how safe airline travel is now and mentioning that no documented cases of COVID have occurred due to airline travel.

Frankly, I don't believe it. Being crammed together in a tin can for hours breathing the same air with a bunch of folks has to be one of the highest risk things we can do in relation to spreading this virus. We see all these restrictions on the ground because of the risk, but you can rest assured that stuffing yourself in a closed environment with a bunch of strangers for hours is safe!!

Here's an article that gives some numbers on airline travel this year.

https://www.npr.org/sections/corona...-screens-1-million-for-first-time-since-march

 

"Inconclusive results, missing data, variable adherence, patient-reported findings on home tests, no blinding, and no assessment of whether masks could decrease disease transmission from mask wearers to others."

'One swallow does not a summer make.'

There are studies that demonstrate efficacy. So this study needs to be done again, but in a much more rigorous fashion before one would want to draw conclusions..

 

I would hope so. I would also hope that we stop tasing and arresting people for not wearing one.

 

Face masks are a security blanket for adults, as much as anything.

@Woogs since you brought up flying, I've flown several times since the COVID outbreak. People have quickly figured out if you order a beverage you can take the mask off, fair and square. My last flight, nearly everyone in first class was drinking and hence maskless. Go figure.

 

ROFL have to admit I have come out of the store jumped into the Z4 with the top down and a couple of miles down the road realize I still have my mask on

 

The key point "could", but they tightly controlled the study.

"The randomized-control trial, which is considered the “gold-standard” design for scientific research, had a large sample size of more than 6,000 people. Most studies conducted on various kinds of face masks against various coronaviruses are neither randomized, controlled trials nor conducted regarding the specific SARS-CoV-2 virus currently affecting the world."

And I posted another study a few days ago which also shows no efficacy in wearing mask.

 

Mostly even those of us who have the heart of a rebel comply. Go figure. I forget I'm wearing it from time to time and take it off in the car too.

 

And I could post several studies that say masks work. That study needs to be done in a big city, for one thing.

There is nothing definitive yet.

And nothing that persuades me that what we're doing is wrong...

 

Quick poll -

If you were standing in a room with 10 people, and 2 of them had tested positive for Covid in the last ten minutes, but you didn't know who -
Would you ask all 10 people to remove their masks or wear them?
Would you not care?
Would you keep your mask on or remove it?

End of discussion.

 

I've heard several similar stories from those who wear masks because their job requires it. None in a Z4 however!

I appreciate your candor in your OP. Yes, many (maybe most?) wear a mask only to not rock the boat, to not offend others, and of course many wear a mask only to keep a job. It is a perfect example of peer pressure causing silly behavior, fashionable behavior.

I wear a mask only where necessary, in my case visiting a doctor's office, which I'm hopefully finished with for a long time. Things are almost back to normal here in Florida. Some restaurants still require them, but they're a minority. Some still have notices on the door, but do not enforce them. I never wear a mask for all practical purposes.

I don't hold it against anybody for wearing one, but I am guilty of finding some of the behavior amusing. Putting a mask on to walk through a door and then removing it is the most humorous behavior I observe on a regular basis.

 

Ditto this.

And I'm in Florida too, where yes, thankfully things are mostly back to normal! The supermarket might be the only place I go which requests (but does not require) mask wearing. I comply just so as not to worry anyone since some people are terrified of COVID and convinced from the news that a mask is the only thing which can save them.

 

question

if you were standing in a room with 10 people, and 2 tested positive for the flu, would you hang around them?

Of course not but note how no mask is required. Covid has been politicized by your fellow leftists. Feel free to be afraid and feel free to mask up if it makes you feel better or gives you some sense of superiority.

 

comical isn't it. The mask aficionados then boldly walk into stores and touch everything in sight, and then proceed to fidget with their mask and touch their eyes and nose. Then, they boldly walk back to their vehicles all masked up, remove aforementioned mask, hang it from the rear view mirror where it has been for the past 4 months and will be for the next few months. Yes, the same mask gets repeatedly worn and they continue to touch everything but being masked up provides a force field.

 

Alabama next to FL here. About to go do some running around including Walmart. Will be curious to see if the shelves are empty of paper and cleaning products again with all the hysteria that has started up. Yes I will wear my gaiter in, I like it better and it seems just as INeffective.

Of course it would be interesting to see in the MSM would actually hold Biden accountable now as to will he listen to the scientist and the actually studies.

Here start at 3:40. Watch the aide come out and wipe down the podium, then go back to the beginning where Harris steps up, touches her mask, takes it off then touches the SIDES of the podium which do not get wiped down. Then watch Biden as he handles the OUTSIDE of his mask, actually caressing it like he does little girls then touches his NOSE. There goes any protection and he just made it worse.

https://www.c-span.org/video/?478136-1/president-elect-biden-warns-more-people-die-smooth-transition

 

And as noted those other studies are not as controlled as this one as with the other study I cited and it has nothing to do with a city. From the getgo the experts warned AGAINST wearing mask as they provide no protection yet could accumulate the virus on the outside and then people touch them and infect themselves.

 

If you were standing in a room with 10 people, and 2 of them had tested positive for Covid in the last ten minutes, but you didn't know who -
And the scientist there showed you the several studies and told you the mask are ineffective and could make it worse.
Would you ask all 10 people to remove their masks or wear them?
Would you not care?
Would you keep your mask on or remove it?
Would you ask the people why they are standing in closed room with others and have not quarantined themselves and demand they do so?
Would you ask the doctors why they allowed them into that closed room?

 

And Biden just said live that he wants a national mask mandate..............Joe listen to the science. You could make it worse if you don't.

 

So you admit it’s more psychological than anything. As another poster said it’s a security blanket.

 

This study doesn't measure the main reason we should be wearing masks. It keeps our infection to ourselves, better than no mask does. The psychological effect actually occurring here is the continued belief that mask wearing is done primarily to protect yourself. People can not seem to shake that belief, and the reality is the opposite of that. Masks are to contain your own potential infection from those around you. They aren't protection for you.

 

This is all so incredibly stupid. We have seen that outbreaks can be managed by using masks, social distancing, and washing hands frequently.

There is no doubt that these measures have been proven to work in places like NY, where it raged out of control and was brought under control.

 

Bingo!!!

People need to stop playing Holiday Inn experts. It is killing other people.

 

Ok, you list three precautions. You can only follow 2, what do you stop doing? Which one stands alone if you can only do one?