Critics say authorities are failing to prepare for any future pandemics by not examining the effectiveness of masks ByJoe Pinkstone, SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT12 April 2023 • 7:59pm
A rapid review of 4,371 studies failed to find conclusive evidence that masks were effective during lockdown CREDIT: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Europe
There is not enough evidence to suggest medical-grade face masks protect vulnerable people from Covid, health officials have admitted.
A rapid review report published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) investigated if high-quality masks, such as the N95, KN95 and FFP2 coverings, protect clinically vulnerable people in the community from catching Covid.
However, the report was unable to find a single piece of scientific research which had usable data.
“The review did not identify any studies for inclusion, and so could provide no evidence to answer the research question,” the authors state. “No studies matching the inclusion criteria were found, so no evidence could be presented.”
The rapid review looked at 4,371 studies specifically about Covid but there were none that examined the effectiveness of N95 and equivalent face masks as wearer protection against Covid-19 when used in the community by people at higher risk of becoming seriously ill.
The government scientists collected data up until September 2022 and the at-risk groups included people with Down’s Syndrome, some cancer patients and people with immune system disorders. MORE AT No evidence face masks protected vulnerable from Covid during lockdown, health officials admit (archive.ph)
