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Glad this study was published (go science!!) but there are SO MANY CAVEATS that it literally changes NOTHING about our knowledge about recs to #MaskUp .
You'll be hearing a lot about this, so let me break it down.
https://twitter.com/CaulfieldTim/status/1329100810081374209
You'll be hearing a lot about this, so let me break it down.
https://twitter.com/CaulfieldTim/status/1329100810081374209
1) Most impt: Very wide confidence intervals (-43% to +23%) suggest that they were underpowered, likely due to low community prevalence (not enough people exposed to possible infection).
This makes it impossible to draw conclusions.
This makes it impossible to draw conclusions.
2) The intervention was sub-par.
They didn't follow best practice. It was SINGLE masking. Despite extensive evidence that BOTH PEOPLE wearing masks = much better:
as they say "the trial did not test the role of masks in source control of SARS-CoV-2 infection"
They didn't follow best practice. It was SINGLE masking. Despite extensive evidence that BOTH PEOPLE wearing masks = much better:
as they say "the trial did not test the role of masks in source control of SARS-CoV-2 infection"
3) Additionally, there were a lot of confounders:
* only 46% of ppl wore the masks as intended!!
* the trial started DURING LOCKDOWN when everyone was distanced
* face mask group took fewer social precautions
Hmm.
* only 46% of ppl wore the masks as intended!!
* the trial started DURING LOCKDOWN when everyone was distanced
* face mask group took fewer social precautions
Hmm.
4) I do like that follow-up included both PCR + antibody tests. A nice touch that increases confidence in results.
5) But weirdly, the % with household contacts who were +, who got infected, was ridiculously low c/w other studies?
5) But weirdly, the % with household contacts who were +, who got infected, was ridiculously low c/w other studies?
Their conclusion: "these findings do not provide data on the effectiveness of widespread mask wearing in the community."
I AGREE.
I AGREE.
Takeaways:
This study does NOT contradict existing studies on the efficacy of universal masking.
This study does NOT contradict existing studies on the efficacy of universal masking.
No healthcare worker will stop wearing a mask bc of this study. Neither should you.
