“We don’t routinely recommend the use of face masks by the public to prevent respiratory illness,” said on January 31. “And we certainly are not recommending that at this time for this new virus.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://archive.is/zA3eb 

Conclusion: Wearing masks will not reduce SARS-CoV-2…
Cloth masks will be ineffective at preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission, whether worn as source control or as …PPE…
“Masks may confuse that message and give people a false sense of security." ~ AAPS

My previous #COVID19 mask thread, quoting basically every health official saying NOT to wear masks. https://twitter.com/tuns1999/status/1261054438321594368?s=20

Excellent video breaking down the available information, confirming - MASKS DON'T WORK.

CDC: Masks Don't Work (for the general public) https://twitter.com/tuns1999/status/1283567405780869120?s=20

After hours of research looking for scientific studies supporting the widespread use of masks by the public I found this one specifically cited by the CDC.

This does not come remotely close to refuting the numerous studies informing the original no mask recommendation.

From the full article's conclusion:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7108646/pdf/S1935789313000438a.pdf
"A protective mask…will not eliminate the risk…any mask…will have minimal effect…an improvised
face mask should be viewed as the last possible alternative if a supply of commercial face masks is not available"
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Improvised homemade face masks may be used to help protect those…at occupational risk from close or frequent contact with symptomatic patients…we would not recommend the use of homemade face masks as a method of reducing transmission of infection from aerosols."

A more detailed study showing cloth masks actually INCREASE chance of infection from an influenza-like illness (ILI). https://twitter.com/NikolovScience/status/1279241996532477952?s=20

the "…mask" policy…"a coercive tool"
Experts testified…it was illogical to force healthy nurses to wear masks…masks were not protecting patients or nurses
"The sad part about it is it was giving our patients a false sense of security"
http://archive.is/KVy3h 

In 2015 the Ontario Nurses Union took hospitals to court over a "Vaccinate or Mask" policy.
Based on expert testimony the court found masks were not effective at protecting either nurses or patients from Influenza Like Viruses. https://twitter.com/tuns1999/status/1293198540378972165?s=20

"Coronavirus: Face masks could increase risk of infection, medical chief warns"
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-news-face-masks-increase-risk-infection-doctor-jenny-harries-a9396811.html