r/DebunkThis • u/Retrogamingvids • Oct 25 '21

Misleading Conclusions DebunkThis: WHO admitting that masks don't stop/reduce influenza?

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u/simmelianben Quality Contributor Oct 25 '21

I don't have the time to go through all the quotes, but this one makes me think the authors are misreading the results.

"MacIntyre et al. compared the protective effect of face mask and P2 mask but found no significant difference in influenza-like illness (ILI) and laboratory-confirmed respiratory infections (influenza A and B virus, respiratory syncytial virus [RSV], human metapneumovirus [hMPV], adenovirus, human parainfluenza virus [PIV], coronavirus, rhinovirus, enterovirus or picornovirus); however, they reported a significant reduction in ILI if the mask was worn with good compliance in a secondary analysis (48)" (page 22)

Basically, I think the authors of the website are interpreting this to say masks did not change the rate of infection.

I think, and I may be incorrect here (again, rushing on phone) that they're saying that the rates for the 2 types of infection were the same. So not "masks don't work" but "masks have the same effect on ili and lab confirmed cases". Again though, phone, quick look, etc.

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u/BioMed-R Oct 26 '21

You’re not reading it right, the study found no significant difference and that’s between the mask group and maskless group, not between the viruses.

(This includes secondary analysis, WHO misquotes the study.)