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We don't know much about the comparative effectiveness of respiratory protective devices in lowering risk for acquiring COVID-19 or other respiratory diseases, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), influenza, or influenza-like illnesses. Researchers analyzed 39 studies (18 randomized control trials and 21 observational studies) that were conducted in both community and healthcare settings. The results are as follows:
In no study was the effectiveness of masks for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection evaluated in a community setting.
Only two studies (both cohort studies) of masks to prevent SARS-CoV-2 were conducted in healthcare settings, and both had severe limitations.
Community mask use possi…