Reanalysis of Highly Influential Mask Study Shows Universal School Masking Did Not Lead to Fewer COVID-19 Cases

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

Whether masking requirements effectively prevented COVID-19 in schools and should be used as a mitigation strategy for future outbreaks is a highly contested issue, with children as young as two years old expected to mask up during the worst restrictions.

A reanalysis of a highly influential Boston mask study claiming continued mask mandates reduced COVID-19 cases in schools found districts that dropped masking requirements actually experienced the largest decreases in COVID-19 casesโ€”and failed to identify any causal relationship between mask mandates and infection rates.

In a recently published preprint in arXiv, researchers reanalyzed data published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to compare COVID-19 incidence in school districts that did and did not lift mask mandates.

The original NEJM study claimed lifting the statewide masking policy among school districts in the greater Boston area resulted in an additional 44.9 COVID-19 cases per 1,000 students and staff during the 15 weeks after the policy was rescinded, corresponding to an estimated 12,000 additional COVID-19 cases and to 29 percent of all cases in the school district.

Although an observational study should not be used to identify causal effects with confidence, the authors nevertheless concluded that masking requirements prevented COVID-19 cases, then used the results to justify policy decisions.

โ€œOur results support universal masking as an important strategy for reducing Covid-19 incidence in schools and loss of in-person school days,โ€ wrote the authors, who included researchers from Harvard University and the Boston Public Health Commission.

Furthermore, the authors encouraged school districts to use the studyโ€™s findings to โ€œdevelop equitable mitigation plans in anticipation of a potential winter Covid-19 wave during the 2022โ€“2023 school year, as well as clear decision thresholds for removing masks as the wave abates.โ€

After reanalyzing the same data using multiple methodologies, including utilizing a larger statewide control group, researchers came to a strikingly different conclusion: Schools that dropped masking requirements experienced a 22 percent decrease in COVID-19 cases compared to a 12 percent decrease in masked districts.

By Megan Redshaw, J.D.

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Hereโ€™s What the USโ€™ Security Guarantees For Ukraine Might Look Like

Western security guarantees for Ukraine are one of the main issues delaying a political resolution to the conflict. Russia launched its SMO primarily in response to NATO-emanating threats from Ukraine.

The Cost of Anger

I will not write much here. There are no words I can say. I only wish to remember those forgotten casualties, the unseen cost of the current antagonism in America.

Another Mass Trans Shooter Not to be Discussed

Robin (Robert) Westman was identified by police as the suspect behind a shooting at a Catholic school that left two children dead and 17 others injured.

AI Techno-Hell Roundup: The Birds and the Bees

In addition to total supplantation of human labor, AI is also doing a number on homo sapiensโ€™ psychological welfare โ€” seducing lonely techno-serfs.

Flagged for Burning

Trump ordered AG to enforce laws against flag desecration focusing on flag burning linked to violent crimes, property destruction or other illegal activities.

TransUnion Reports Data Breach Affecting 4 Million American Consumers

TransUnion LLC, Chicago-based credit-reporting firm, announced a data breach involving personal information of 4.4 million consumers throughout the US.

Trump Suggests Holding Republican National Convention in 2026

President Trump may call on the RNC to host a Convention midway through his presidential term, sometime before congressional elections in 2026.

US Economy Grew 3.3 Percent In Q2, Beating Prior Estimate

U.S. economy expanded at a 3.3% annualized pace in second quarter of 2025 with rate of growth exceeding earlier estimate and signaling economic strength.

New Mexico Man Diagnosed With Plague in Stateโ€™s First Case This Year, Say Officials

New Mexico health officials confirmed first human case of plague in the state in 2025, occurring in a 43-year-old male who recently went camping.

Trump Says He Will Protect Social Security Amid Potential Congressional Cost-Cutting Proposals

Trump said his admin will protect Social Security and Medicaid, when asked which programs he would want to see cut in a congressional reconciliation bill.

DHS Proposes Revamp of Student and Exchange Visas, Citing Fraud and Abuse

The Dept of Homeland Security on Aug. 27 posted a draft version of proposed changes to temporary visas for overseas students and exchange visitors.

Trumpโ€™s 50 Percent Tariff on India Takes Effect

President Trumpโ€™s additional 25% tariff on India became effective at midnight on Aug. 27, bringing the total rate to 50% on many imports entering the US.

RFK Jr. Says HHS Will Disclose Causes of Autism in September

During a cabinet meeting Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vowed to announce the causes of autism by September.
spot_img

Related Articles