We think everyone should hold evidence-based medicine in high regard.
But what happens when evidence for a medical intervention is lacking, yet the intervention is implemented anyway?
What happens when it is implemented world-wide?
Political grandstanding becomes the convenient substitute for evidence. And that is troubling.
The Center for Evidence-Based Medicine at University of Oxford is fighting back against misinformation based on politics rather than evidence, and they’re not afraid to call out public health officials worldwide for claiming evidence where none exists.
“It would appear that despite two decades of pandemic preparedness, there is considerable uncertainty as to the value of wearing masks.”
“What do scientists do in the face of uncertainty on the value of global interventions? Usually, they seek an answer with adequately designed and swiftly implemented clinical studies as has been partly achieved with pharmaceuticals. We consider it is unwise to infer causation based on regional geographical observations as several proponents of masks have done.“
So … correlation does not equal causation. (Except when you’re trying to implement policy?)
And wow, we had no idea that 200,000 people wearing masks would prevent ONLY ONE infection per week. But that’s exactly what the Norway Institute of Public Health found.
Read more here:https://www.cebm.net/…/masking-lack-of-evidence-with-polit…/
Tom Jefferson, M. D., Ph.D., honorary research fellow, Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, University of Oxford.
Carl Heneghan Ph.D, is Professor of Evidence-Based Medicine, University of Oxford, Director of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine and Editor in Chief of BMJ EBM
In this video, Oxford epidemiologists explain the lack of evidence-based science and how it relates to current pandemic response policies.
In Holland, life and business are fully underway, with faces smiling freely everywhere other than on public transit.
“Holland’s position is based on assessments by the Outbreak Management Team, a group of experts advising the government. It first ruled against masks in May and has re-evaluated the evidence several times, including again last week.
It believes they detract from a clear three-pronged message that has kept deaths from coronavirus down to less than half the rate in Britain: wash hands regularly, maintain social distancing of 1.5 metres and stay at home if suffering any symptoms.”
Read more in this hopeful end enlightening article, The land with no face masks: Holland’s top scientists say there’s no solid evidence coverings work and warn they could even damage the fight against Covid-19.