I don't concur with that interpretation of the paper

This is a meta analysis, so you would expect the CIs to be broad due to differing sub study methodologies.

So while the CIs for surgical masks are to broad to state there is certainty in the result, the data can be generally interpreted - IMHO - as surgical masks are of, at best, marginal benefit.

The CIs for N95 relative to surgical are very much too broad to state any form of certainty in the outcome. However, I would generally interpret the data - integrated with the surgical mask data - that N95 masks are of benefit, albeit with the magnitude of any benefit being very unclear.

So, the statement that 'wearing masks makes no difference' is not entirely valid - IMHO.

Posted By: Timmy_Goat, Mar 3, 10:33:54