A Look at DESE's Cited Sources: Footnote #21 and #25 - The role of community-wide wearing of face mask for control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic due to SARS-CoV-2

DESE Claim 1: "masks or face coverings are among the most critical components of risk reduction"

DESE Claim 2: "community-wide mask/face covering usage contributed to control of COVID-19 in Hong Kong."

Cited Source: Cheng, V. C., Wong, S. C., Chuang, V. W., So, S. Y., Chen, J. H., Sridhar, S., ... & Yuen, K. Y. (2020). The role of community-wide wearing of face mask for control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic due to SARS-CoV-2. Journal of Infection. Available at https://www.journalofinfection.com/article/S0163-4453(20)30235-8/pdf

Peer Reviewed?: yes

Study Methodology: "Epidemiological analysis was performed for confirmed cases, especially persons acquiring COVID-19 during mask-off and mask-on settings. The incidence of COVID-19 per

million population in HKSAR with community-wide masking was compared to that of non-mask-wearing

countries which are comparable with HKSAR in terms of population density, healthcare system, BCG vaccination and social distancing measures but not community-wide masking."

Notes: This study looks at Hong Kong (where universal masking was required) compared to countries where masks were not worn community-wide. "Community-wide mask wearing may contribute to the control of COVID-19 by reducing the amount of emission of infected saliva and respiratory droplets from individuals with subclinical or mild COVID-19." Masks were effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Supports DESE Claim 1?: Yes.

Supports DESE Claim 2?: Yes.