Demonstrating The Lack Of Efficacy Of Mask Ordinances
Starting with our own CDC references, Xiao J, Shiu E, Gao H, et al. Nonpharmaceutical
Measures for Pandemic Influenza in Nonhealthcare Settings—Personal Protective and
Environmental Measures. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2020;26(5):967-975.
doi:10.3201/eid2605.190994, we can see the following:
There were 3 influenza pandemics in the 20th century, and there has been I so far in the
21st century. Local, national, and international health authorities regularly update their
Plans for mitigating the next influenza pandemic in light of the latest available evidence
on the effectiveness of various control measures in reducing transmission. Here, we
review the evidence base on the effectiveness of nonpharmaceutical personal protective
measures and environmental hygiene measures in nonhealthcare settings and discuss
their potential inclusion in pandemic plans. Although mechanistic studies support the
potential effect of hand hygiene or face masks, evidence from 14 randomized
controlled trials of these measures did not support a substantial effect on transmission
of laboratory-confirmed influenza. We similarly found limited evidence on the
effectiveness of improved hygiene and environmental cleaning.
Not even the CDC actually supports — from a scientific perspective — the notion that face masks
have a significant effect on the transmission of a virus.
However, let’s look at the actual in-the-field evidence, starting with Austria and Poland
Wrorage UCGUIS. MULAN Gach ed Maps LG LUNN, ay Gener HH ESTER
death
f Estimated Using Cases - Case: dnvidedi by cases S days ado
. Apa! Lith Everyone requiced POLAND
| towsar late manky
: “7 April 6th Everyone required AUSTRIA
to wear face masks
. f
ae
= + et rl bee GPM hii 8 Gay ae de ap UUMis he? Shas Edy, Bes.
The above two charts are just two exemplars of the same trend throughout Europe. First, we see
that Austria enacted a mask ordinance on April 9. There is absolutely no effect on their case
curve; similarly for Poland after it enacted a mask law on April 10. In fact, it can be argued that
Poland had an increase in cases subsequent to the enactment of their mask ordinance. Germany
had a similar curve. Once again, these charts — all data obtained from European CDC sources,
publicly available and verifiable — illustrate the fact that wearing a mask did not materially
impact the curve.
