Claim: The vast majority of deaths during the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918-19 were due to bacterial infections caused by people wearing masks.
Fact-check: Spanish flu pandemic claim masks the truth about deaths
Verdict: false. many people succumbed to bacterial pneumonia due to lung and immune system damage following influenza virus infection. there is no evidence mask use was the cause.
Organisation: Australian Associated Press
Author: Kate Atkinson
Date published: 2022-05-26T00:00:00