Zhang et al. (2020) reported that mandating face coverings in public is necessary to decrease the rate of new COVID-19 infections. We present a counterexample that disproves this finding. We agree with Zhang et al. that masks can be an important element in reducing virus transmission and that widespread use may be essential for returning to full activity. However, their analysis neglects the potential importance of physical distancing for limiting COVID-19 transmission by misattributing its effect to mask requirements. A full suite of epidemiological tools is necessary in these challenging times .
Zhang et al. (2020) used linear regression to quantify the effect of lockdowns on the number of cases of COVID-19 . We show using differential questions from the SIR model and with a counterexample that was not included in Zhang et al. 's analysis that their method is flawed .
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reported that mandating face coverings in public is necessary to decrease the rate of new
used linear regression to quantify the effect of lockdowns on the number of cases of
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infections. We present
. We show using differential questions from the SIR model and with
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disproves this finding. We agree with
was not included in
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that masks can be an important element in reducing virus transmission and that widespread use may be essential for returning to full activity. However, their analysis neglects the potential importance of physical distancing for limiting COVID-19 transmission by misattributing its effect to mask requirements. A full suite of epidemiological tools is necessary in these challenging times
's analysis that their method is flawed