The government has admitted that the evidence for using face masks in schools to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is “not conclusive.”
The uncertainty is acknowledged in a review used by ministers in England to make their decision to introduce face masks in classrooms.
The government’s own study in the autumn did not provide proof of a statistically significant impact. It was only published following the announcement on Monday (Jan. 3) about the return of face masks in classrooms.
The evidence review says other studies have provided mixed results, but taken together suggest they may help. The move was backed by the UK Health Security Agency.
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