An email from ECRI President and CEO Marcus Schabacker highlights a report from ECRI that shows there is sufficient favorable evidence cloth masks help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in school settings when combined with other public health measures like social distancing and proper hand hygiene.
“Despite claims to the contrary by mask opponents, 18 papers and studies provide consistent evidence that as part of an infection prevention bundle, face masks reduce viral transmission in school settings,” Schabacker writes.
“The shocking scenes and acts of violence at school board meetings about mask wearing guidance around the country are extremely troubling,” he adds. “ECRI hopes that this assessment is helpful to educators, journalists, and healthcare workers as they pursue objective, evidence-based information.”