Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Harry01 on 14/10/2020 09:30:05

Title: What is the evidence for face coverings now? If they do have an effect how much
Post by: Harry01 on 14/10/2020 09:30:05

Appreciate that this will depend on a huge number of factors. Carl Henneghan seems to say that the evidence isn't clear. Cites a study using surgical masks in the home cutting infection rates by 10 percent. Can anyone add to this?

Title: Re: What is the evidence for face coverings now? If they do have an effect how much
Post by: alancalverd on 14/10/2020 10:48:18

The statistics are almost certainly unreliable because practically every word in "using surgical masks in the home cutting infection rates" is undefined or unmeasurable.

What is clear from at least 100 years of clinical practice, is that surgical masks reduce the likelihood of the wearer infecting anyone else; and from well over 100 years of industrial and military practice, a fitted respirator can reduce the likelihood of the wearer becoming infected.