Slightly old news, but the misinformation/misinterpretation still goes around so maybe worth boosting it a little.

"Many commentators have claimed that a recently-updated Cochrane Review shows that 'masks don't work', which is an inaccurate and misleading interpretation."

https://www.cochrane.org/news/statement-physical-interventions-interrupt-or-reduce-spread-respiratory-viruses-review

@TEG yea iv heard that excuse... and yea the study is far from complete IIRC, assuming this is the same one I remember...

The truth is the evidence to strongly support masks either way, in support of or opposition too, is very much lacking when it comes to use in the general population. Anyone asserting it has been proven or disproven that masks are effective against COVID would be wrong.

@freemo Yeah, it's that old absence-of-evidence- vs evidence-of-absence. And additionally, if I understand correctly, the meta-analysis (and similar studies) only considered a particular type of study, which was hard to do well on this.

And there's the whole N95-level mask versus flimsy-flappy surgical masks difference. I don't think the latter do much unless everyone wears them (versus outright sneezing mucus around), but N95s might give some protection even if everyone else is faceholing.

@TEG Yea its a complicated issue on many levels.

There is an argument to be made that masks used by the general public can result in mor e harm than good in a few ways:

1) MAsks tend to be used passed their 2 - 4 hour viability "life" sometimes across days
2) dirty masks can act as a vector, even if the mask has only been used for a few hours.
3) handling of the mask, souch as touching may increase the spread, doctors are trained to use mask under strict procedures
4) They are extremely harmful to the deaf who rely on lip reading

Stuff like that, while im not saying that is the case there is a valid argument that wearing masks may even spread diseases.