It’s clear that there’s some confusion surrounding the need for masks, even at the White House.
The “new variant” of COVID-19 has been a cause for concern, with rumors circulating that the Biden administration is considering enforcing a new mask mandate.
The effectiveness of masks has been a topic of debate for quite some time. While the CDC still recommends mask-wearing, a majority of studies suggest that it may be ineffective in preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.
Masks have limited effectiveness
One comprehensive study from the Cochrane Library indicates that medical or surgical masks have limited effectiveness in preventing influenza-like illness or COVID-19-like illness.
There is also uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of N95/P2 respirators compared to medical/surgical masks in preventing clinical respiratory illness.
Even Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former White House chief medical advisor, has expressed doubts about the efficacy of masks.
In an email from February 5, 2020, to former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell, Fauci suggested that masks primarily serve to prevent infected individuals from spreading the virus rather than protecting uninfected individuals.
