Some scientists first questioned their use before changing their minds and calling for wider mask usage in public areas, workplaces, and educational institutions.
Facebook’s fact-checkers came under fire for allegedly ruthlessly suppressing stories that challenged the research behind these regulations.
According to an article in Reason Magazine, a research that the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention used to support the idea of requiring schools to wear masks was “junk science.”
It questioned one research that was used to support masks, claiming it had “numerous problems,” but it did not disagree that they would benefit children or lessen transmission.
Facebook flagged the story as having “false information.” Later, Facebook took the label down. Reason was informed by the fact-checking organisation Science Feedback:
“We have reviewed the Reason piece once again and have verified that the rating was assigned incorrectly. The flag is no longer there. We are sorry for the error.
