The Hidden Cost of Face Masks: Study Shows Negative Impact on Cognitive Performance | Sci-Tech News

Does wearing a face mask reduce cognitive performance? In a study of international chess players who played millions of chess moves before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, masks substantially reduced the average quality of cognitive decisions. However, the negative effect is short-lived and primarily operates on elite players and in high-incentive contexts, with minimal impact on the broader population of players.