Major Update: Masks for Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 in Health Care and Community Settings—Final Update of a Living, Rapid Review

Chou, Roger; Dana, Tracy

doi:10.7326/m23-0570

Cited by 22 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Two RCTs on mask use in the community conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic have been published . The first, which randomized 3030 people in Denmark to receive surgical masks and a recommendation to mask outside the home vs no intervention, produced inconclusive results .…”

Section: Rcts On Community Masking During the Covid-19 Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since the pandemic began, high-quality case-control, cohort, and ecologic studies support the effectiveness of masks in the community to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (Table 1). Proof of concept that masking can reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 comes from laboratory evaluations that have used simulated human respiration and other techniques to show that cloth masks, surgical masks, and N95 respirators reduce the spread of potentially infectious respiratory droplets and aerosols . Masks can offer effective source control and some wearer protection; reduction of droplet and aerosol spread is greatest when both the source and the exposed individual are masked .…”

Section: Observational Studies On Community Masking During the Covid-...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Masks were associated with a greater reduction in risk of infection among unvaccinated than vaccinated individuals and with reduced risk of infection among those exposed outside their households but not among those exposed within their households (possibly because low rates of masking within households precluded sufficient assessment). Several studies have shown increased protection with greater consistency of masking …”

Section: Observational Studies On Community Masking During the Covid-...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two RCTs 5,6 on mask use in the community conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic have been published. 7 The first, which randomized 3030 people in Denmark to receive surgical masks and a recommendation to mask outside the home vs no intervention, produced inconclusive results. 5 The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 20% lower in the intervention group, but the sample size was insufficient for the difference in infection rates to achieve statistical significance.…”

Section: Rcts On Community Masking During the Covid-19 Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Confounding can be a particular problem in observational studies. Studies demonstrating the effectiveness of masks to prevent COVID-19 have attempted to address this by controlling for factors, such as other interventions 7,30,[33][34][35] or demographic characteristics that might influence risk of infection. 17,31 Others have used stratified analysis and shown that the impact of masking varies across patterns of use, populations, and settings.…”

Section: Jama Network Open | Infectious Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Masks During Pandemics Caused by Respiratory Pathogens—Evidence and Implications for Action

Cash-Goldwasser,

Reingold,

Luby

et al. 2023

JAMA Netw Open

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ImportanceAs demonstrated by the influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2, viruses spread by the respiratory route can cause deadly pandemics, and face masks can reduce the spread of these pathogens. The effectiveness of responses to future epidemics and pandemics will depend at least in part on whether evidence on masks, including from the COVID-19 pandemic, is utilized.ObservationsWell-designed observational studies have demonstrated the association of mask use with reduced transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in community settings, and rigorous evaluations of mask mandates have found substantial protection. Disagreement about whether face masks reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 has been exacerbated by a focus on randomized trials, which are limited in number, scope, and statistical power. Many effective public health policies have never been assessed in randomized clinical trials; such trials are not the gold standard of evidence for the efficacy of all interventions. Masking in the community to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 is supported by robust evidence from diverse settings and populations. Data on the epidemiologic, environmental, and mask design parameters that influence the effectiveness of masking provide insights on when and how masks should be used to prevent transmission.Conclusions and RelevanceDuring the next epidemic or pandemic caused by a respiratory pathogen, decision-makers will need to rely on existing evidence as they implement interventions. High-quality studies have shown that use of face masks in the community is associated with reduced transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and is likely to be an important component of an effective response to a future respiratory threat.

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Section: Rcts On Community Masking During the Covid-19 Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Observational Studies On Community Masking During the Covid-...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Observational Studies On Community Masking During the Covid-...mentioning

confidence: 99%