>  .1101/2020.03.30.20047217v2 an april 2020 cochrane review (preprint) found that face masks in the general population or health care workers didnt reduce influenza-like illness (ili) cases. >  .1101/2020.04.01.20049528v1 an april 2020 review by the norwich school of medicine (preprint) found that the evidence is not sufficiently strong to support widespread use of facemasks, but supports the use of masks by vulnerable individuals when in higher risk situations. >  es/13523664 a july 2020 study by japanese researchers found that cloth masks offer zero protection against coronavirus due to their large pore size and generally poor fit. >  4/e006577 a 2015 study in the british medical journal bmj open found that cloth masks were penetrated by 97% of particles and may increase infection risk by retaining moisture or repeated use. >  -news/2019/02/01/millions-in-japan- affected-as-flu-outbreak-grips-coun try/9191549043797/ japan, despite its widespread use of face masks, experienced its most recent influenza epidemic with more than 5 million people falling ill just one year ago, in january and february 2019. however, unlike sars-2, the influenza virus is transmitted by children, too
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