We are told daily how science points to mask efficacy in stopping the spread of Covid-19. Foremost we have to understand that this virus is a flu like illness. The studies we found were performed more than a decade ago. They focus on ways to prevent the spread of flu-like illnesses. These studies were performed at the University of Michigan and its participants were the university students. And although the CDC did not conduct these studies, it collaborated in them and has the data collected at their disposal.
Study Outline
The study occurred between October 2006 and April 2008. It’s various aspects involved 1111 students. The objective was to see, which is the best method to stop the spread of a flu like virus such as the H1N1. The students were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 – 349 students used face masks and hand hygiene, Group 2 – 392 students wore only mask only, and Group 3 – 370 students were a control group. Hand hygiene group used alcohol based sanitizer about 4x per day. Mask group also used alcohol based sanitizer, but only about 1x per day. The control group also used alcohol based sanitizer about 1x per day.
Study Results
Masks alone did not provide a benefit, suggesting that single personal protective interventions do not protect against incidence of ILI or influenza.
The study in its discussion suggests that there may be other factors at play as well. But, it definitely points to the fact that hand hygiene plays the bigger role in stopping the spread of flu like illnesses. Regarding the mask efficacy in stopping the spread of Covid, we already pointed out another CDC study from 2020. We mentioned its results in another article on our site. It is in the article about Wake County Mask Mandates.
Further details on another randomized clinical trials details of this study are found here. Of course, you can always say that every little bit helps. The main question here though remains, “With low impacts displayed in this and other studies, does it make sense to be obsessed with extreme measures for years and years?”
Mask Efficacy Numbers and Alternatives
This study showed us that masks have no significant impact. Kansas 2020 study gave us the actual transmission rate decrease number of 0.08%. Yet, rather than focusing on science and stopping the spread, we are seeing political battles over measures, impact of which measures in decimals of a percentage point. Overall health and personal hygiene should be the main focus here. Why isn’t the mainstream information highway pushing this aspect more? And why aren’t we?