Advocates state the importance of face masks to reduce future collateral damage in which hospitalization rates and/or mortality rates may increase without them.

Use as a Precautionary Measure

The virus particles may remain in the air for several hours; laboratory experiments have shown that surgical masks are effective in blocking such agents.

Blocking of Aerosol Agents

The virus can be transmitted even when an infected person is asymptotic or minimally symptomatic. Face masks can reduce the likelihood that virus particles may spread between health providers and patients in healthcare settings.

Reduce Transmission from Asymptotic Individuals

- Use as a Precautionary Measure
- Blocking of Aerosol Agents
- Reduce Transmission from Asymptotic Individuals

University of California, Davis

Using face masks is a COVID-19 control strategy intended to reduce transmission by filtering respiratory particles. Its effectiveness varies with mask type and correct, consistent use, while community-wide effects also depend on compliance. Masking can be evaluated through filtration studies, transmission case studies, and compartmental models and can be combined with physical distancing, sanitation, and personal hygiene.

Use of Face Masks to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission

- Limited Evidence of Effectiveness
- Improper or Inconsistent Usage
- False Sense of Security
- Limited Quantities

Arguments Against the Use of Face Masks

Types of Face Masks

- Model simulations created using data from New York and Washington suggests that even less effective masks have large implications in decreasing transmission rates of COVID-19.
- The greatest advantages are conferred when face masks are used in conjunction with other countermeasures such as physical distancing, sanitation, and personal hygiene. Nation-wide adoption, and high compliance rates are key to limiting the spread of the virus.

Compartmental Model Assessing Community-Wide Usage of Face Mask

- The BMJ
- WHO
- The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)
- Le Infezioni in Medicina
- Infectious Disease Modeling
- BioRxiv
- JAMA

References for Face Masks and COVID-19  by Source/Journal

8 face masks were tested using polydisperse indoor air. Their effectiveness was examined for aerosol of aerodynamic diameters of 0.006 μm to 10 μm. The commercially available masks used in this study were:
- Five were 3-layer mask (labeled M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5 in the study)
- One was a KN95 mask with one-way valve (labeled M6 in the study)
- Two were fabric masks (labeled F1- simple cloth mask, and F2- cloth mask with activated carbon)

Aerosol filtering efficiency of respiratory face masks used during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Studies demonstrating increases or decreases in COVID-19 transmission due to masking or masklessness.

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