It appears in WaPo’s history blog, called Retropolis. It gives no medical advice. And John M. Barry is no random historian saying something in a throwaway manner. Look him up.https://twitter.com/zeynep/status/1245741446583455746 …
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Actually, the book is great and I know the historian. I've read a lot of history books on the topic. Fan of that particular one. The sentence in question (which I've read) is in the context that epidemic spread, it's not some proof "masks are useless" and it's clickbait.
Publishing a piece with that title in the middle of a deadly pandemic with a raging debate about masks where the science is clear and the question is how to move fast to cut deaths is irresponsible clickbait. I think that's what is clear.
The science is not clear. In fact, one of the things CDC is worried about is if they tell people to wear masks, it will create a false sense of security and people will let up on other very necessary social-distancing measures. Which happened in 1918. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/cdc-considering-recommending-general-public-wear-face-coverings-in-public/2020/03/30/6a3e495c-7280-11ea-87da-77a8136c1a6d_story.html …
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