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According to the study samples, 1.8% of those who wore a mask were infected with Covid-19, compared to 2.1% of those who did not wear a mask.
A Danish study published today states that wearing a surgical mask has little effect on protection against Covid-19But many scientists point to its limits and emphasize that the study does not lead to a firm conclusion.
One of its authors, Casper Iversen (from the University of Copenhagen), told AFP that “current recommendations (for wearing a mask when distancing is not possible) are not seriously questioned by the study.”
In a sample of 6,000 respondents, the study, published in the American College of Physicians’ Annals of Internal Medicine, shows that 1.8% of those wearing masks were infected with Covid-19, compared to 2.1% the ones they don’t use.
Although this suggests that the mask offers little protection, the sample size is not yet large enough to demonstrate statistical significance, according to the study authors.
«Δwe could not prove a substantial effect“Explains Professor Iversen, for whom the result of wearing the mask, if not insignificant,” is not as important as we expected.
However, an article attached to the study points out its important limitations.
On the one hand, the study was conducted in a country with relatively low transmission rates. Subsequently, less than half of the participants (46%) correctly followed the mask’s instructions for use. Finally, their results are based on antibody detection tests, the reliability of which varies.
«The peculiarities of the study context limit not only its statistical validity but also the generalization of its conclusions.“According to this comment attached to the study.
«There is no question that masks work to avoid infecting other people and possibly also to protect those who wear them.Commented author of this comment Tom Frieden on Twitter.
This is another limit: The study focuses solely on the degree of protection that those who wear a mask can expect when no one else wears it. However, the mask is mainly recommended to prevent the user from infecting others.
The study, called “Danmask-19“took place in Denmark between April and May, at a time when almost no one in the country wore a mask, except those who worked in infectious disease departments of hospitals.
Half of the people in the study were asked to wear a mask outside their home and the other half were not.
All had to follow current recommendations and other restrictive measures. Bars and restaurants were closed at that time.
In Denmark, which was relatively unaffected by the pandemic, the use of the mask gradually became mandatory starting in August with its use in public transport, then it was the turn of bars, cafes and restaurants and at the end of October its use for all closed public spaces.
Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
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