A graphic from the FDA printed in May 2009 during the beginning of the H1N1 outbreak by McClatchy-Tribune.
"Surgical masks and N95 respirators are not tested against specific microorganisms and should not claim to prevent specific diseases."
Note: viruses are not microorganisms
Dr. Laurene Mascola, director of acute communicable disease control for the Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health told the L.A. Times in May 2009 that surgical masks are only effective for up to 20-30 minutes.
"Once they get most, they are no longer useful."
Dr. Dalius Briedis, director of clinical infectious diseases at Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal told the Vancouver Sun during the start of H1N1 that surgical masks will provide "no more than 10-to-20 percent protection."
Interesting that's same as Sweden/Bangladesh RCTs.
Perhaps my personal favorite, from the @SunSentinel published Sep. 28, 2009:
"There's no proof they work and can impair breathing," they say of surgical masks.
There seems to be a fundamental debate whether viruses, which are non-living, are classified as microorganisms.
I'll let everyone decide the intent of that but just refer back to the disclaimer. Surgical masks have never been held up to prevent airborne diseases by viruses.
This is from the National Cancer Institute website. So again, so it's not an open and shut case lol
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