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Would the surgical mask be ineffective against viral respiratory infections? That’s what a new study suggests. Dr. Alice Desbiolle, public health doctor, sheds light on this theory.
In a few months, he had become one of the symbols of the Covid-19 pandemic. The surgical mask had been the first weapon to counter the virus. However, a new study published in the Cochrane Library review indicates that it would be ineffective in protecting against respiratory viral infections – such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, Covid-19 or even flu.
Surgical mask does not appear to reduce transmission
To test this theory, the researchers included 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as well as cluster RCTs (610,872 participants) in their large survey, bringing the total number of RCTs to 78.
Six of the trials were conducted during the COVID 19 pandemic; two from Mexico and one from Denmark, Bangladesh, England and Norway.
Result ? Wearing surgical masks seemed ineffective against viruses.
“Mask probably makes little or no difference to influenza/SARS CoV 2 viruses compared to no masks“, note the researchers.
The effectiveness of N95/FF P2 masks compared to surgical masks was also unconvincing, based on clinical respiratory disease testing.
“Use of an N95/FFP2 respirator versus medical/surgical masks likely makes little or no difference to the objective and more accurate outcome of laboratory-confirmed influenza infection“.
In real conditions of use, the surgical mask did not therefore seem to reduce the transmission of viral respiratory infection in the general population. Same thing on the side of FFP2 in caregiver populations.
Wearing a mask must be “punctual” and “optional”
Results that do not surprise Alice Desbiolle, public health doctor and author of “Repairing health”, published on January 20, 2023.
“First of all, it is important to specify that this is a Cochrane systematic review, which constitutes the gold standard of evidence-based medicine because it is a review of available studies presenting a minimum of methodological quality“, specifies the expert, before adding “One of the lessons to be learned is that caution should be exercised when implementing certain interventions in the general population (here wearing a mask), especially when these interventions concern children, and that they are made compulsory. Remember that at the start of the pandemic, the WHO did not recommend wearing a mask in the general population..”
However, wearing a mask is compulsory for all for a long time “was presented as “scientific” and “proven effective”, whereas this had never been the case in the general population, even less on children “.
Such assertions and interventions ultimately contribute”to damage the credibility of the scientific (and political) word and to reduce the confidence of the population“, says the doctor.
Reason why it would be more relevant and proportionate”to encourage the wearing of a mask on an ad hoc basis and on a voluntary basis: in the event of respiratory symptoms and contact with a person at risk”concludes the expert.