A new study from Denmark casting doubt on the effectiveness of mask-wearing in fighting the spread of COVID-19 drew criticism from former CDC director Dr. Thomas Frieden, who said the study took place in Denmark when infections were low there.
Writing in an opinion piece in Annals of Internal Medicine: "[T]he daily incidence of new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Denmark was roughly one third of that in the United Kingdom and one quarter of that in the United States," in early May when the study was conducted, Frieden noted.
The study goes against the overwhelming majority of medical advice by stating that masks show little value and may provide no protection at all.
"Although no single strategy can control the pandemic, widespread masking in the community can mitigate spread as part of a comprehensive approach," Frieden said. "An N95 mask is better than a surgical mask. A surgical mask is better than most cloth masks. A cloth mask is better than nothing.
Critics of the study noted that it also relied on home tests reported by patients themselves.
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