Do masks slow the spread of influenza?

“The use of masks and respirators to prevent transmission of influenza: a systematic review of the scientific evidence” (2011). Influenza Journal.

"None of the studies established a conclusive relationship between mask ⁄ respirator use and protection against influenza infection."

“Non-pharmaceutical public health measures for mitigating the risk and impact of epidemic and pandemic influenza. Annex: Report of systematic literature reviews” (2019). World Health Organization.

"Our review identified a lack of compelling evidence for the effectiveness of hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and face masks against influenza transmission in the community... there was no evidence that face masks are effective in reducing transmission of laboratory-confirmed influenza."

“Non-pharmaceutical Measures for Pandemic Influenza in Non-healthcare Settings—Personal Protective and Environmental Measures” (2020). Emerging Infectious Diseases. www.cdc.gov/eid Vol. 26, No. 5, May 2020

"We identified 10 RCTs that reported estimates of the effectiveness of face masks in reducing laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infections in the community from literature published during 1946–July 27, 2018. In pooled analysis, we found no significant reduction in influenza transmission with the use of face masks"

“Masks for prevention of viral respiratory infections among health care workers and the public - PEER umbrella systematic review” (2020). Canadian Family Physician Vol 66: July, 2020.

"Of the 6 RCTs examining the use of masks by health care workers, only 2 had a control group assigned to 'no mask.' In these trials, masks did not reduce influenza-like illness ..., any clinical respiratory infection.., confirmed influenza, or confirmed viral respiratory infection compared with no masks."

“Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses” (2020). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020, Issue11. Art.No.:CD006207.

"The pooled results of randomised trials did not show a clear reduction in respiratory viral infection with the use of medical/surgical masks during seasonal influenza... wearing a mask may make little or no difference to the outcome of influenza-like illness (ILI) compared to not wearing a mask... There is moderate certainty evidence that wearing a mask probably makes little or no difference to the outcome of laboratory-confirmed influenza compared to not wearing a mask"

Do masks reduce operating room infections? (i.e. “if masks don’t work, then why do surgeons wear them in operating rooms?”)

“Postoperative Wound Infections and Surgical Face Masks: A Controlled Study” (1991). World Journal of Surgery 15, 383-388, 1991

"It has never been shown that wearing surgical face masks decreases postoperative wound infections. On the contrary, a 50% decrease has been reported after omitting face masks."

“Surgical face masks in modern operating rooms-a costly and unnecessary ritual?” (1991). Journal of Hospital Infection (1991) 18, 239-242.

"The routine wearing of masks by all staff working in a modern operating room with forced ventilation is a costly and unnecessary ritual."

“Does Evidence Based Medicine Support The Effectiveness Of Surgical Facemasks In Preventing Postoperative Wound Infections In Elective Surgery?” (2009). Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad 2009;21(2)

"Conclusion: From the limited randomized trials it is still not clear that whether wearing surgical face masks harms or benefits the patients undergoing elective surgery.”

“Surgeon’s garb and infection control: What’s the evidence?” (2011). Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, v 64, n 5

"Masks have not been shown to reduce overall bacterial counts within the operatory. Several studies have failed to show reductions in SSIs [surgical site infections] with the use of masks.”

“Current Concepts Review - Surgical Attire and the Operating Room: Role in Infection Prevention” (2014). The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2014;96:1485-92

“In conclusion, current literature has been unable to support the use of surgical masks in reducing rates of surgical site infection in the operating room…”

“Surgical Attire: Proceedings of International Consensus on Orthopedic Infections” (2019). The Journal of Arthroplasty general assembly section, prevention, volume 34, issue 2, supplement , S97-S104, 2019

"The use of face masks and surgical caps by inhabitants in the operating room (OR) has not been shown to impact SSI [surgical site infection] rates, but with the limited evidence available a recommendation for or against patient usage cannot be made.”

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