3 ms·

This randomized trial from 2015 looked at cloth masks. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577 https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577 > Conclusions T

This randomized trial from 2015 looked at cloth masks. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577 https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577 > Conclusions This study is the first RCT of cloth masks, and the results caution against the use of cloth masks. This is an important finding to inform occupational health and safety. Moisture retention, reuse of cloth masks and poor filtration may result in increased risk of infection. Further research is needed to inform the widespread use of cloth masks globally. However, as a precautionary measure, cloth masks should not be recommended for HCWs, particularly in high-risk situations, and guidelines need to be updated.

GaryNumanVevo 6y ago
Important to note: This study was conducted for _health care workers_. Not the general public. Cloth masks aren't designed to protect the wearer, rather protect everyone else around them by catching droplets / reducing nasal spray / etc. It only works if everyone 95% of people are wearing one, especially indoors.
- ketamine__ 6y ago
  > It only works if everyone 95% of people are wearing one, especially indoors. If this is the only RCT for cloth masks what kind of evidence is behind your claim? Do you have a source?
- jlmorton 6y ago
  The linked article is making an assertion that cloth masks protect the wearer by reducing the viral dose, leading to many more asymptomatic cases. It is saying that mask wearing alone is enough to reduce your risk from coronavirus. That is actually the headline from the article: "Cloth masks do protect the wearer – breathing in less coronavirus means you get less sick"
- misanthropian00 6y ago
  There is no evidence that cloth masks are better at filtering out than they are at filtering in. They are not designed to be one way valves. They are pretty bad at both due to the massive amount of space between threads which virus droplets can just sail right through. No one should be wearing cloth masks if surgical masks are available and no one should be wearing surgical masks when N95 or equiv masks are available. This cannot be repeated enough.

GaryNumanVevo 6y ago

Important to note: This study was conducted for _health care workers_. Not the general public. Cloth masks aren't designed to protect the wearer, rather protect everyone else around them by catching droplets / reducing nasal spray / etc. It only works if everyone 95% of people are wearing one, especially indoors.

ketamine__ 6y ago
> It only works if everyone 95% of people are wearing one, especially indoors. If this is the only RCT for cloth masks what kind of evidence is behind your claim? Do you have a source?
jlmorton 6y ago
The linked article is making an assertion that cloth masks protect the wearer by reducing the viral dose, leading to many more asymptomatic cases. It is saying that mask wearing alone is enough to reduce your risk from coronavirus. That is actually the headline from the article: "Cloth masks do protect the wearer – breathing in less coronavirus means you get less sick"
misanthropian00 6y ago
There is no evidence that cloth masks are better at filtering out than they are at filtering in. They are not designed to be one way valves. They are pretty bad at both due to the massive amount of space between threads which virus droplets can just sail right through. No one should be wearing cloth masks if surgical masks are available and no one should be wearing surgical masks when N95 or equiv masks are available. This cannot be repeated enough.