Data lacking to recommend broad mask use
We do not recommend requiring the general public who do not have symptoms of COVID-19-like illness to routinely wear cloth or surgical masks because:
- There is no scientific evidence they are effective in reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission
- Their use may result in those wearing the masks to relax other distancing efforts because they have a sense of protection
- We need to preserve the supply of surgical masks for at-risk healthcare workers.
Sweeping mask recommendations—as many have proposed—will not reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission, as evidenced by the widespread practice of wearing such masks in Hubei province, China, before and during its mass COVID-19 transmission experience earlier this year. Our review of relevant studies indicates that cloth masks will be ineffective at preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission, whether worn as source control or as PPE.
I find the article disturbing. It's contrary to all general recommendation from the CDC and most other authorities. Therefore it should require a high standard of proof.
1st- The date of article April 1, 2020. We've moved on. The last bullet point is an indication about surgical masks in short supply which are not considered effective at protecting health care workers as N95 masks.
2nd- They reference Hubei province without giving data proving it was ineffective.
3rd- I live in New York State. Our curve is flattening while the rest of the country is increasing in the number of cases. This is due to both mask wearing AND social distancing.