Just take a look to China, mask wearing country in the world.New variant and all hell breaks loose.And if you read that, assuming you did, there is no conclusive result from that 'study.' Zip. Nada.
We do, however, know that even basic, simple surgical maks deflect effluent, in terms of aerosolized saliva during exhalation, and can prove this, preventing the direct linear path it would otherwise likely take.
Good enough for me, as well as my health profession family members
This is what the study had as end conclusion.
However, overall there is a lack of substantial evidence to support claims that facemasks protect either patient or surgeon from infectious contamination. More rigorous contemporary research is needed to make a definitive comment on the effectiveness of surgical facemasks.