Scientific evidence supporting the Ministry of Health's advice on masks & masking rules
Matt Perryman made this Official Information request to Ministry of Health
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From: Matt Perryman
Dear Ministry of Health,
The Ministry's website states:
"Wearing face masks protects yourself and others from COVID-19, especially when in poorly ventilated spaces or when it is hard to physically distance from others."
It goes on to further claim:
=====
Masks help to prevent transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 in two ways:
* decreasing the amount of virus spread by an infectious person by catching the particles containing virus in the mask (source control).
* helping to prevent a person from inhaling particles containing virus (wearer protection).
The best protection from infection occurs when everyone is wearing a mask. The combination of source control AND wearer protection is much more effective than just one or the other.
=====
Contrary to these claims by the Ministry, there are numerous high-quality studies, including RCTs, which call into question the effectiveness of masking as preventative against respiratory infection and illness.
A review of the relevant published literature via Pubmed reveals a mix of positive and negative studies concerning mask effectiveness in viral transmission and infection in general and COVID-19 in particular. However, the balance of high-quality trials shows little or no effect by masking on infection or transmission as recommended by the Ministry's advice. Some trials indicate net harm from masks.
This is compounded by the observation that in the US, the EU, and other countries which enforced masking rules, there has been no demonstrated reduction of transmission or infection compared to places without masking rules.
The Ministry's claims about the effectiveness of masking therefore raise serious questions about just what evidence supports the advice for masking and how that evidence is evaluated, while ignoring significant patterns in infection and transmission available in overseas data.
These are glaring difficulties given the repeated insistence and assurance that the Ministry's advice on masking is soundly based in medical science.
This request has two parts related to these concerns.
1. Please provide any and all scientific evidence and any documents used by the Ministry to support its claims that:
a) masks decrease the amount of virus spread by an infectious person by catching the particles containing virus in the mask
b) masks help prevent a person from inhaling particles containing virus
c) the best protection from infection occurs when everyone is wearing a mask, and
d) wearing face masks protects yourself and others from COVID-19
Please note that this is NOT a request for advice received by the Ministry from relevant regulatory authorities or health agencies, or any party, in New Zealand or elsewhere.
Nor is it a request for a description of the decision-making process used within the Ministry.
This request expressly concerns the specific scientific evidence and reasoning, along with any relevant policy documents, papers, and correspondence used by the Ministry in support of each of its claims (a-d) above.
2. Please provide any and all documents and correspondence from the Ministry of Health to the Cabinet (including the Prime Minister) which concern the Ministry's advice that masks reduce or stop infection and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19.
Yours faithfully,
Matt Perryman
From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Matt,
Thank you for your request for official information. The Ministry's
reference number for your request is: H2022008422.
As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Ministry will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after
the day your request was received. If you'd like to calculate the
timeframe, you can use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch.
Ngā mihi
OIA Services Team
M[2]inistry of Health information releases
U[3]nite against COVID-19
------------------- Original Message
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From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Matt,
Thank you for your request for official information received on 24 July
2022 for:
“1. Please provide any and all scientific evidence and any documents used
by the Ministry to support its claims that:
a) masks decrease the amount of virus spread by an infectious person by
catching the particles containing virus in the mask
b) masks help prevent a person from inhaling particles containing virus
c) the best protection from infection occurs when everyone is wearing a
mask, and
d) wearing face masks protects yourself and others from COVID-19
Please note that this is NOT a request for advice received by the Ministry
from relevant regulatory authorities or health agencies, or any party, in
New Zealand or elsewhere.
Nor is it a request for a description of the decision-making process used
within the Ministry.
This request expressly concerns the specific scientific evidence and
reasoning, along with any relevant policy documents, papers, and
correspondence used by the Ministry in support of each of its claims (a-d)
above.
2. Please provide any and all documents and correspondence from the
Ministry of Health to the Cabinet (including the Prime Minister) which
concern the Ministry's advice that masks reduce or stop infection and
transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19."
We are contacting you to clarify part of your request.
Please specify a timeframe (from when to when) for the information you
seeking for question 2 of your request. Otherwise, this question is too
broad and this part of your request may be refused under section 18(f) of
the Act, as the information requested cannot be made available without
substantial collation or research.
Please respond by Tuesday 9 August 2022, so that we can consider your
refinement in our response to your request.
We look forward to receiving your response.
Ngâ mihi,
OIA Services
Government and Executive Services
Manatû Hauora
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From: Matt Perryman
Dear OIA Requests,
In regard to your request for clarification on question (2) of my request:
====
Please specify a timeframe (from when to when) for the information you
seeking for question 2 of your request. Otherwise, this question is too
broad and this part of your request may be refused under section 18(f) of
the Act, as the information requested cannot be made available without
substantial collation or research.
===
The intent of question (2) is to understand exactly which scientific evidence and reasoning was given from the Ministry of Health to the Cabinet and the Prime Minister, in support of claims (a-d) listed under question (1), and in particular what is given as justification for current masking rules/mandates.
The minimum time frame should cover 12 months prior to the date of the request, from June 2021 to July 2022 inclusive.
Yours sincerely,
Matt Perryman
From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Matt,
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) to Manatû Hauora (the Ministry of Health) on 24 July 2022.
In response to the first part of your request for:
“1. Please provide any and all scientific evidence and any documents used
by the Ministry to support its claims that:
a) masks decrease the amount of virus spread by an infectious person by
catching the particles containing virus in the mask
b) masks help prevent a person from inhaling particles containing virus
c) the best protection from infection occurs when everyone is wearing a
mask, and
d) wearing face masks protects yourself and others from COVID-19”
Please note Manatû Hauora does not conduct scientific research or studies.
Please refer to online scientific studies for further information:
[1]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ or [2]https://www.nejm.org/. Please
refer to the updated page on the Manatû Hauora website regarding
information on the use of face masks in the community:
[3]www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/covid-19-use-face-masks-community. Manatû
Hauora also regularly updates the Science News page for up-to-date
information regarding COVID-19 and the Vaccine:
[4]www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-resources-and-tools/covid-19-science-news.
The evidence indicates that the use of masks/face coverings in the
community provide benefit in reducing SARS-CoV-2 infection. A [5]rapid
review from the Republic of Ireland that found that “the evidence within
this rapid evidence update points towards face mask use in the community
providing a potentially beneficial effect in reducing SARS-CoV-2
infection, alongside a lack of evidence of significant harm associated
with their use.”
This [6]rapid review from Norway included the following evidence:
It concludes that there is evidence that medical facemasks can protect
people from respiratory infections in community settings. This conclusion
was based on 13 observational studies, the majority of which found a
benefit from the use of masks; A [7]scientific brief^1 from the CDC
concludes that research supports the use of masks in the community to
reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and that the benefit is derived from a
combination of source control and personal protection.
Manatû Hauora constantly reviews international studies and evidence on
mask wearing in the community setting. Our current advice aligns with that
of the World Health Organization (WHO):
[8]www.who.int/publications/i/item/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak.
As part of reviewing international evidence, Manatû Hauora considers other
advice from international organisations including Centres for Disease
Control and Prevention, Public Health England, the European Centre for
Disease Control and Prevention, Australian jurisdictions and a range of
scientific and medical journals.
The information is collated through Ministry specialist technical advisory
groups whose membership include a variety of expert professions such as
infection prevention and control, public health, infectious diseases,
microbiology and primary care. When reviewing evidence, we ensure it is
applicable to the current New Zealand situation and can be applied in our
context.
Please refer to the below previously released responses regarding
masks:
* [9]www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/information-release/h202006250_20_oct_2020.pdf.
* [10]www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/information-release/h202008732_15_dec_2020_0.pdf.
Some publicly available studies you may be interested in can be found
here:
* [11]www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/csu_23_july_2021_delta_-_viral_load_and_incubation_period_masks_and_hepa_filters_impact_on_aerosols.pdf.
* [12]www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/pdfs/mm7027e1-H.pdf
* [13]www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/pdfs/mm7027e1-H.pdf
* [14]www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/csu_23_july_2021_delta_-_viral_load_and_incubation_period_masks_and_hepa_filters_impact_on_aerosols.pdf
* Some Key information supporting mask efficacy can be found on the
Manatû Hauora website in a CSU [15]here:
* Other helpful links included but not limited to the below: CDC MMWR
[16]here
* [17]PubMed Study on mask effect on breathing
* [18]PubMed Study on physiological effects of masks
Turning to the second part of your request for:
"2. Please provide any and all documents and correspondence from the
Ministry of Health to the Cabinet (including the Prime Minister) which
concern the Ministry's advice that masks reduce or stop infection and
transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19.”
The Ministry is advising you, in line with section 18B of the Act, that
this part of your request may be refused under section 18(f) of the Act as
the information requested cannot be made available without substantial
collation or research. If it is possible for you to narrow the scope of
your request (for example, by excluding correspondence) we may be able to
provide you with information.
Please respond by Tuesday 23 August 2022 so that we can consider your
refinement in our response to your request. Please note the Ministry has
also decided to extend the period of time available to respond to part 2
your request under section 15A of the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) as further consultation is required. You can now expect a response to
part 2 on, or before, 9 September 2022.
Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [19][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.
Ngâ mihi
OIA Services Team
M[20]inistry of Health information releases
U[21]nite against COVID-19
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References
Visible links
1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
2. https://www.nejm.org/
3. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
4. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
5. https://www.hiqa.ie/sites/default/files/...
6. https://www.fhi.no/globalassets/dokument...
7. https://mohgovtnz.sharepoint.com/sites/H...
8. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/...(2019-ncov)-outbreak
9. https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/...
10. http://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/d...
11. https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/...
12. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/p...
13. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/p...
14. https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/...
15. https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/...
16. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/p...
17. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33003954/
18. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20337987/
19. mailto:[email address]
20. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
21. https://covid19.govt.nz/
From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Matt,
We are following up on the below email sent to you on Friday 19 August
2022.
Please respond by Friday 26 August 2022, so we can a refined request to
part 2 of your request for information.
Ngā mihi
OIA Services Team
M[1]inistry of Health information releases
U[2]nite against COVID-19
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References
Visible links
1. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
2. https://covid19.govt.nz/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
4. https://www.nejm.org/
5. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
6. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
7. https://www.hiqa.ie/sites/default/files/...
8. https://www.fhi.no/globalassets/dokument...
9. https://mohgovtnz.sharepoint.com/sites/H...
10. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/...(2019-ncov)-outbreak
11. https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/...
12. http://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/d...
13. https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/...
14. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/p...
15. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/p...
16. https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/...
17. https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/...
18. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/p...
19. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33003954/
20. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20337987/
21. mailto:[email address]
22. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
23. https://covid19.govt.nz/
From: OIA Requests
Tçnâ koe Matt,
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) to the Manatû Hauora (Ministry of Health) on 24 July 2022 for
information regarding face masks. You requested:
“1. Please provide any and all scientific evidence and any documents
used by the Ministry to support its claims that:
a) masks decrease the amount of virus spread by an infectious person by
catching the particles containing virus in the mask
b) masks help prevent a person from inhaling particles containing virus
c) the best protection from infection occurs when everyone is wearing a
mask, and
d) wearing face masks protects yourself and others from COVID-19
Please note that this is NOT a request for advice received by the
Ministry from relevant regulatory authorities or health agencies, or any
party, in New Zealand or elsewhere. Nor is it a request for a
description of the decision-making process used within the Ministry.
This request expressly concerns the specific scientific evidence and
reasoning, along with any relevant policy documents, papers, and
correspondence used by the Ministry in support of each of its claims
(a-d) above.
2. Please provide any and all documents and correspondence from the
Ministry of Health to the Cabinet (including the Prime Minister) which
concern the Ministry's advice that masks reduce or stop infection and
transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19.”
On 19 August 2022 you were provided with a response to part 1 of your
request and were asked to clarify part 2 to enable the Ministry to provide
a fulsome response.
As Manatû Hauora has not received a response from you to date, your
request has been interpreted as correspondence between Manatû Hauora and
the Cabinet Office.
Manatû Hauora does not directly correspond with Cabinet on health issues
as Minsters submit papers and advice to Cabinet or Cabinet committees
concerning their own portfolios. As such, your request for this
information is refused under section 18(e) of the Act as it does not
exist.
Additionally, policy information around the use of face coverings and
their effectiveness is more closely connected with the functions of the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC). As part two of your
request remains unclear, Manatû Hauora has not transferred your request to
DPMC. However, you may wish to submit a refined request to DPMC for this
information at: [email address].
Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [email address] or by calling 0800 802
602.
Ngâ mihi
OIA Services Team
M[1]inistry of Health information releases
U[2]nite against COVID-19
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References
Visible links
1. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
2. https://covid19.govt.nz/
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Billie left an annotation ()
Oh so we are all wearing masks from scientific research or studies, from up to 3 years ago.
Link to this