Ron Johnson disputes scientific consensus on the effectiveness of masks in preventing spread of COVID-19

Patrick Marley Molly Beck
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

This story was republished on Jan. 14, 2022 to make it free for all readers  

MADISON - Despite broad scientific consensus, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson cast doubt Monday on whether masks prevent the spread of COVID-19, saying he thought there would have been fewer infections and deaths if they worked.

The Republican from Oshkosh said he supports wearing masks but expressed skepticism about their effectiveness.

"I think as more evidence comes in it’s becoming harder and harder to support that masks actually work," he told constituents in a conference call. "If they would have worked we probably wouldn’t have had as many infections, as many deaths as we did, but be that as it may, I was just on a plane and I wore a mask the entire time."

"So I’m not opposed to masks but I think we should really take a look at that and we should question, too, whether or not we should make really young children wear them as well. Again, these are legitimate questions to ask. We really should follow the science."

But research from public health officials and scientists shows masks are effective in reducing the risk of becoming sick and without them, many more infections and deaths would have occurred.  

"People who wear masks in close settings have a lower risk of being infected than people who don’t," said Patrick Remington, former epidemiologist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's preventive medicine residency program.

"The masks don’t perfectly eliminate the risks of getting infected and they don’t eliminate the risk of getting others infected, but they work. They're better than not wearing a mask," he said.

"We don’t demand perfection for something to work. Seatbelts don’t always work. They’re very good but they don’t always work. We don’t dismiss seatbelts because they don’t work all the time," Remington said.

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released in November showed new COVID-19 cases decreased by 6% between one week in July and one week in August in counties with mask requirements. New cases increased by 100% in counties without mask requirements.

In June, University of Iowa researchers published a study in the scientific journal Health Affairs comparing states that passed mask mandates to those that did not. The researchers attempted to control for differences between states such as their population density, social distancing policies and their case growth trends.

Track COVID and the vaccine in Wisconsin: See the latest data on cases, deaths and administered doses

Their study found that states with mask mandates saw their case growth rate fall in the weeks afterward. The researchers’ model suggested that the mandates helped prevent more than 200,000 cases by late May.

According to the CDC, COVID-19 spreads mainly through respiratory droplets that travel through the air by coughs, sneezes, talking, shouting and singing. Face masks reduce the chances that those droplets land in the mouths or noses of people nearby, according to recent studies. 

Johnson made his comments in "a tele-town hall" that allowed Wisconsinites to ask him questions. 

Johnson did not explain his basis for believing that masks might not be as effective as touted. An aide did not immediately provide details on why Johnson holds that view. 

"I don’t see any evidence to support the statement that they don’t reduce the risk of disease transmission," Remington said. "The evidence is widely accepted in the scientific community that wearing a mask reduces your risk of becoming infected should you be in close proximity with others, or of transmission to others."

Johnson made the comment about masks days after he drew criticism for saying in a radio interview that the country should have limited distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to the vulnerable. In a separate interview last week, he said he believed having COVID-19 provided more immunity than the vaccine and questioned why those who have the illness are being urged to get vaccinated. 

Health officials have said people should get vaccinated because some people have gotten the illness more than once and scientists don't know how long immunity lasts after someone has it. They also have said it's important for people to be vaccinated so they don't pass on the illness to others. 

On Monday, Johnson stressed that he supported the Operation Warp Speed program to develop the vaccine as quickly as possible and said he considers the vaccine safe. 

But he expressed sympathy with a caller who said she didn't see the point of getting vaccinated if health officials say vaccinated people should still wear masks and be careful about their contacts with others.

"What incentive is there to vaccinate because you’re still in the fearful, shutdown mode? So I agree with you," Johnson said. 

Contact Patrick Marley and Molly Beck at patrick.marley@jrn.com and molly.beck@jrn.com. Follow on Twitter at @patrickdmarley and @mollybeck.