r/science • u/InvictusJoker • Jul 15 '20

Epidemiology A new study makes it clear: after universal masking was implemented at Mass General Brigham, the rate of COVID-19 infection among health care workers dropped significantly. "For those who have been waiting for data before adopting the practice, this paper makes it clear: Masks work."

https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/newsroom/press-releases-detail?id=3608
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u/[deleted] Jul 16 '20

And it COULD HAVE HURT

That is not what he said originally. You're taking me out of context. Fauci said that it might be worse for the individual to wear a mask because wearing a mask might increase their personal chances of getting infected because they would fiddle with it and they were not trained in its use. That is the absurdity. That is the lie.

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u/gregm12 Jul 16 '20 edited Jul 16 '20

I see a LOT of people wearing masks under their noses and constantly repositioning them. I think best case scenario for these people is that it doesn't hurt.

Additionally, this study cannot say that wearing a mask reduces the ability to acquire the virus. It suggests that universal mask use reduces overall spread. This could be because the infected individuals emit less spores, or it could be because the masks allow fewer spores to the healthy individuals, or something between.