[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Road-Runner

Great (actually) scientific study published by the NIH (actual scientists) about Mask Mandates for Covid. Most won't get half way through it (it's very long) but the opening section lays out what their findings are very well.

Is a Mask That Covers the Mouth and Nose Free from Undesirable Side Effects in Everyday Use and Free of Potential Hazards?

I'm still reading but do I have this much correct:

- They set out to show that masks caused adverse effects. They weren't trying to evaluate *if* the masks caused the effects, they specifically wanted to show that they did.

- They stared with 1226 articles on the effects of masks then tossed 1117 of them because they "were irrelevant to the research question" (i.e. didn't show negative effects)

- They then declared success in showing that masks cause negative effects.

Now, my characterization of the remainder of the paper that I'm still reading: They throw this spaghetti at the wall to see if any of it will stick. For example, they go as far as discussing the environmental effects from improper disposal of the masks (pollution) as a negative effect of wearing a mask. And the suggestion that doctors should consider the "1948 Geneva Declaration, as revised in 2017" seems (again, I'm still reading) to come close to jumping the shark.