At the end of the day it comes down to medical and research ethics. We have no direct data for SARS-CoV-2 transmission in relation to only masks. We can see that as part of a full protocol including social distancing, asymptomatic screening etc that it has a positive outcome in terms of reducing viral spread. The issue is picking precisely what affect masking up has had as opposed to the other measures. Due to the potential long term issues caused by COVID-19 with suggestions of both vascular and gastrointestinal issues that are ongoing, we cannot just test this on human guinea pigs, in a mask only related trial. Firstly it'd be near impossible to make it double blind and secondly no research group would want to deal with the medical bill of anyone who gets infected by COVID-19 during the study, as they'd have to pretty much pay for all future medical issues. Not to mention that if you only include those people with no known medical conditions, because after all you don't want to kill someone, it doesn't really represent the concerns in reality where those with underlying conditions are most at risk.
But my primary issue here is that this video is a chopped up cherry picking mess, which is aimed at and has been used by those supporting not using masks. That is precisely how I found it, someone posting it as an appeal to authority that masks are pointless, when in reality both of those gentlemen being interviewed are aware of the lack of data in this scenario but still promote the use of masks. My issue is this video tries to use their words to support the opposite of the advice they support. Because ultimately we don't have the data, yet, but as stated in the first article I linked we do know from previous SARS epidemics it is prudent to wear masks:
'Based on observational evidence from the previous SARS epidemic included in the previous version of our Cochrane review we recommend the use of masks combined with other measures.'
The problem is various governments will handle it differently based on numerous factors and ultimately the government will be implementing measures probably not for public safety, they will say it is, but it will be to ensure that they look good. Fewer deaths make those in power look like they're handling it better but the result is the same, the measures for whatever reason are aimed at limiting the number of deaths and ongoing issues and posting videos to oppose that stance is appalling to me
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@John Nixon You either didn't read what I wrote or you've got the wrong end of the stick. There is no evidence that just relates to only masks, that is all the gentleman in the video are saying. But absence of evidence is not evidence of lack. Then they clearly state that masks have a place alongside other measures, such as social distancing. I haven't taken anything out of context, they do state to use masks along with other measures. But to use this or anything of the sort as anti-mask propaganda is dishonest. We cannot currently prove either way whether they are effective by themselves, I explained all that and research ethics previously, but not using masks because there no evidence that only using a mask is helpful is incorrect. And I stand by what I said about this video why cut it in such a way that scientifically illiterate people who don't understand the difference between no evidence and evidence against get confused.
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