Probably not. Most things like this are like this. There may indeed be some underlying proof, but they either can't or won't show it to you-if it exists. It is

Probably not. Most things like this are like this. There may indeed be some underlying proof, but they either can't or won't show it to you-if it exists. It is more likely that it does not. They start with their conclusion. They rarely commence an empirical study, because that might prove their prepared conclusion wrong! A model, which can be used in place of reality, is not reality, and never will be. GIGO. The model was tailored to match their wanted results, or more likely they made a bad model and tweaked it to gain desired results. This does not mean that masks are bad-it just means that the methods used are generally false. Properly gained empirical evidence should be used, and it even should not be trusted if it points to you doing something stupid-like wearing a tissue on your face all day.