Added Sept 2024:

• Important new paper (Mar 2024): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10894839/

• and even more recently (6 September 2024): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1526054224000745

Both have very strong conclusions!

Child mask mandates for COVID-19: a systematic review

Abstract

Background

Mask mandates for children during the COVID-19 pandemic varied in different locations. A risk-benefit analysis of this intervention has not yet been performed. In this study, we performed a systematic review to assess research on the effectiveness of mask wearing in children.

Methods

We performed database searches up to February 2023. The studies were screened by title and abstract, and included studies were further screened as full-text references. A risk-of-bias analysis was performed by two independent reviewers and adjudicated by a third reviewer.

Results

We screened 597 studies and included 22 in the final analysis. There were no randomised controlled trials in children assessing the benefits of mask wearing to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infection or transmission. The six observational studies reporting an association between child masking and lower infection rate or antibody seropositivity had critical (n=5) or serious (n=1) risk of bias; all six were potentially confounded by important differences between masked and unmasked groups and two were shown to have non-significant results when reanalysed. Sixteen other observational studies found no association between mask wearing and infection or transmission.

Conclusions

Real-world effectiveness of child mask mandates against SARS-CoV-2 transmission or infection has not been demonstrated with high-quality evidence. The current body of scientific data does not support masking children for protection against COVID-19.

Face masks and protection against COVID-19 and other viral respiratory tract infections: Assessment of benefits and harms in children

Abstract

Mask mandates for children were implemented at schools and childcare centers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the US continues to recommend masking down to the age of two in certain settings. Medical interventions should be informed by high-quality evidence and consider the possibility of harm (i.e., include harm-benefit analyses). In this review, we weigh the existing evidence for the effectiveness of mask mandates to protect against COVID-19 and other viral respiratory tract infections and the harms associated with optional or compulsory masking in children.

There is no robust evidence of benefit from masking children to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or other respiratory viruses. The highest quality evidence available for masking children for COVID-19 or other viral respiratory tract infections has failed to find a beneficial impact against transmission. Mechanistic studies showing reduced viral transmission from use of face masks and respirators have not translated to real-world effectiveness. Identified harms of masking include negative effects on communication and components of speech and language, ability to learn and comprehend, emotional and trust development, physical discomfort, and reduction in time and intensity of exercise.

Effectiveness of child masking has not been demonstrated, while documented harms of masking in children are diverse and non-negligible and should prompt careful reflection. Recommendations for masking children fail basic harm-benefit analyses.

Others: 

Source: https://www.thefp.com/p/the-real-science-on-masks-they-make 

• Full Study: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006207.pub6/full

Blogs:

https://ivim.substack.com/p/the-most-comprehensive-review-on

https://mathewaldred.substack.com/p/face-mask-links 

https://mathewaldred.substack.com/p/new-study-mask-usage-and-death-correlation 

• https://www.cureus.com/articles/93826-correlation-between-mask-compliance-and-covid-19-outcomes-in-europe 

• We now have hundreds of studies suggesting that masks don’t work with pandemics of respiratory viral infections. 

Public Health expert, Professor Prasad (ever questioning as all true scientists should be - see children and COVID vaccines), has analysed many of the newer studies too:

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts

A new health affairs paper "proves" mask mandates slow covid-19

A new analysis is out now, and it claims that mask mandates slowed COVID19 spread between March -Nov of 2020; The pre-vaccine era! Right off the bat, Let me say it is a more sophisticated analysis than many others. But, in the years to come, I expect still more complex analyses will emerge— and reaching both conclusions! Some will “prove” masking and…

Mask studies reach a new scientific low point

Masking is a divisive issue, however, at the end of the day, it is a scientific question. Pre-pandemic, community masking was discouraged because the pre-existing evidence was negative. This is why Fauci was critical of it in early March 2020 on 60 minutes. In the pandemic, masking has become a marker of politics. Good liberals wear them and bad conse…

There are many more on his Substack, and on his YouTube channel.

Pairodocs have done some good articles too:

Pairodocs’ Collection of Heresy

Aerosols vs. Droplets

Why should you care about the difference between an aerosol and a droplet? Because it’s affected your life for the last 2 years. A number of our public health dictats have been partially based on the difference. Droplets and aerosols are both little bits of water that travel through the air. Droplets are “big” and aerosols are “small”. There is no hard…

Pairodocs’ Collection of Heresy

The Science and Politics of Masks

There are few COVID-related hornet’s nests that I haven’t kicked yet. So why stop now? Before COVID, being afraid to exhale around others was an issue only for smokers. But breathing out without a mask is now seen as a dangerous and subversive act…