How well do masks work to help interrupt the spread of COVID-19?
The humble face-covering has been found to reduce COVID-19 cases by 53%, according to a global study of non-pharmaceutical interventions (medications and vaccines were not included).
Physical distancing also helps stop COVID-19 transmission (25%).
Results from more than 30 studies from around the world were analysed in detail. Researchers were unable to analyse the effect of lockdowns, quarantine, isolation or closures due to differences in study design, outcome measures and quality.
More:
www.bmj.com/content/375/bmj-2021-068302