Introduction
In a recent revelation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been accused of promoting the use of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic based on unreliable and unsupported data. This claim is based on a new analysis of studies published in the CDC’s flagship scientific journal, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
The Analysis
The analysis, which was published on MedRxiv on July 11, 2023, found that the CDC’s MMWR made positive findings about the efficacy of masks 75 percent of the time. This is despite the fact that only 30 percent of the studies tested masks, and less than 15 percent had statistically significant results. The analysis also found that none of the studies were randomized, yet the CDC, in over half of their MMWR studies, made misleading statements indicating a causal relationship between mask-wearing and a decrease in COVID-19 cases or transmission.
Misleading Statements and Unreliable Data
The analysis further revealed that the CDC made misleading statements indicating a causal relationship between mask-wearing and a decrease in COVID-19 cases or transmission, despite failing to show evidence of mask effectiveness. The inappropriate use of causal language in MMWR studies was directly adopted by then CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky to promote masks and recommendations urging Americans to mask up.
Bias Within the Journal
The authors of the analysis raised concerns about the reliability of the MMWR for informing health policy and suggested a bias within the journal. The MMWR, often called “the voice of the CDC,” is the agency’s primary vehicle for “scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations.”
The Impact on Health Policies
The MMWR is frequently used to draft national health policies. For example, mask requirements implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic for federal workers, travelers, schools, businesses, healthcare workers, and Head Start programs mirrored CDC recommendations. This raises serious questions about the validity of these policies, given the unreliable data used to support them.
Conclusion
The analysis of the CDC’s MMWR studies has raised serious concerns about the credibility of the CDC’s recommendations regarding mask usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has also highlighted the need for more rigorous and unbiased research to inform public health policies. As the world continues to grapple with the pandemic, it is crucial that health policies are based on reliable, evidence-based research.
Carl Riedel is an experienced writer focused on using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) to produce insightful articles. Passionate about free speech, he leverages OSINT to delve into public data, crafting stories that illuminate underreported issues, enriching public discourse with perspectives often overlooked by mainstream media.
