If masks were effective and necessary, non-mask wearers should be dead by now
Factually inaccurate: The claim states that people not wearing masks should be dead. However, this is not consistent with the epidemiological data to date indicating that only 0.5% to 0.7% of SARS-CoV-2 infections result in death, based on the infection fatality ratio. Flawed reasoning: The claim implies that masks are ineffective or useless against COVID-19, otherwise non-mask wearers should be dead. However, protective equipment can be recommended or necessary even against diseases that are not systematically deadly. The claim also forgets to consider that the use of masks reduces the propagation of the virus among the population and thus indirectly limits the risk of exposure of non-mask wearers.