Wearing Non-Medical Face Masks Found Safe

Based on the evidence that non-medical face masks prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, various governments are mandating the wearing of masks in the community. However, fueled partly by media claims that masks can cause hypoxia and are therefore dangerous, concerns have emerged about the safety of wearing face masks.

In a new, small crossover study published by JAMA on October 30, 2020, wearing a 3-layer non-medical face mask was not associated with a decline in oxygen saturation in older participants. This means results that wearing non-medical face masks in community settings is safe.