Conclusions: Mask mandates and use are not associated with slower state-level COVID-19 spread during COVID-24 19 growth surges. Containment requires future research and implementation of existing efficacious strategies.
Source: 28966804 – 2021.05.18.21257385v1.full.pdf
(The above is a pre-print, not yet peer reviewed.)
Anyone who has tracked actual data since the beginning noticed that there was no positive correlation between mask mandates and reduction in the spread of the disease. In fact, adjoining states – one with a mask mandate and one without – typically see identical epicurves.
Pre-Covid-19 and post Covid-19, there have been many studies showing that N95 masks are effective, surgical masks somewhat less effective. However, when mask mandates came into effect, the CDC ordered the public not to use either N95s or surgical masks – but to use home made cloth-based masks instead. There is no study showing that the public’s use of cloth based (manufactured or home made) masks slowed the spread of Covid-19.
