At present, there is no direct evidence (from studies on COVID- 19 and in healthy people in the community) on the effectiveness of universal masking of healthy people in the community to prevent infection with respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.

These Mistakes Undermine the Protection Masks May Provide

… As detailed in WHO’s guidance memo, you need to make sure your medical mask is:11

  • Changed when wet, soiled or damaged
  • Untouched. Do not adjust or displace it from your face for any reason. “If this happens, the mask should be safely removed and replaced; and hand hygiene performed”
  • Discarded and changed after caring for any patient on contact/droplet precautions for other pathogens

WHO Admits: No Direct Evidence Masks Prevent Viral Infection