Association between Face mask use and the Risk of Infection With SARS-CoV-2 in the Community – A cross sectional study

ABSTRACT Context: Face masks have been recommended and/or mandated in many countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. We examine the association between face masks and the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 in data obtained from a randomized trial on the effectiveness of using glasses in the community to reduce the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2. Objectives: Examine the association between face mask use and the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 (self-reported) Examine the association between face mask use and the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 (notified) and respiratory infection based on self-report. Study Design: Cross sectional. Participants: 3717 adult members of the public who did not regularly wear glasses, had no symptoms of COVID-19, and did not have COVID-19 in the last 6 weeks. Study Measures: Self-reported COVID-19 as well as data on face mask use was collected from a survey of participants. Notified COVID-19 cases were collected from the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases (MSIS)