Evidence shows that masks reduce transmission in a pandemic

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-11-01 02:00

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Viruses that are spread by the respiratory system can lead to pandemics such as COVID-19, and face masks provide an important layer of protection. Disagreements about the efficacy of face masks have been exacerbated by a focus on randomized trials, but the authors point out that many effective public health policies have never been assessed in randomized clinical trials, and such trials are not always the gold standard of evidence. The authors say that high-quality studies have shown that face masks reduce transmission in community settings, and this evidence should inform future responses to epidemics and pandemics caused by respiratory viruses.

Media release

From: JAMA

Robust available data support the use of face masks in community settings to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and should inform future responses to epidemics and pandemics caused by respiratory viruses.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Resolve to Save Lives, New York, USA, University of California at Berkeley, USA, Stanford University, USA, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, USA.

Funder: This analysis was conducted with funding from Resolve to Save Lives. Resolve to Save Lives is funded by grants from Bloomberg Philanthropies; the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative DAF, an advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Role of the Funder/Sponsor: The funder had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

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