Why are we required to wear masks when the science says they have little effect?
According to the U.S. Government Center for Disease Control (CDC) web page the meta-analysis of fourteen Randomized Controlled Trial studies (the gold standard of research) the CDC site shows masks have little effect.1 Here is the conclusion in the abstract of the study:
“Here, we review the evidence base on the effectiveness of nonpharmaceutical personal protective measures and environmental hygiene measures in nonhealthcare settings and discuss their potential inclusion in pandemic plans. Although mechanistic studies support the potential effect of hand hygiene or face masks, evidence from 14 randomized controlled trials of these measures did not support a substantial effect on transmission of laboratory-confirmed influenza.”1
In spite of the science, the CDC and some politicians speculate that we should wear masks. It may make sense for a surgeon doing surgery who wears a surgical mask briefly and never touches it to wear one. But the rest of us who take cloth masks on and off throughout the day touching them repeatedly these masks are of questionable value. In fact, masks may even be counterproductive as they may create a virus colony on the cloth material while we breath in and out and then spread a virus to our eyes and other surfaces after touching the mask. In addition, they provide a false sense of security when enhancing the immune system through a healthy diet should be emphasized.
If the science shows masks are of little value why are they recommended by some physicians, bureaucrats, and even mandated by politicians who speculate about them? It may be a tendency to just want to do something. If you are a physician who has few answers to a disease or a politician who does not want to be blamed for doing nothing you may be motivated to take any action. The same number of people may get sick with or without masks but speculating with an unproven solution may help avoid blame even if it is counterproductive.
I know it is politically incorrect to point out this science and it would be great if additional research shows that masks actually do work in the general population. However, speculation is not science and there seems to be an abundance of speculation.
