Is Wearing a Mask Effective?
We have witnessed people wearing masks while alone in their own cars or apartments.
Are mask mandates helpful? If not, are they possibly even hurtful?
We hope the following materials help you make up your own mind...
Here, we review the evidence base on the effectiveness of nonpharmaceutical personal protective measures and environmental hygiene measures in nonhealthcare settings and discuss their potential inclusion in pandemic plans. Although mechanistic studies support the potential effect of hand hygiene or face masks, evidence from 14 randomized controlled trials of these measures did not support a substantial effect on transmission of laboratory-confirmed influenza. We similarly found limited evidence on the effectiveness of improved hygiene and environmental cleaning. We identified several major knowledge gaps requiring further research, most fundamentally an improved characterization of the modes of person-to-person transmission.
FACT: There are zero RCTs (random controlled trials) showing that any mask less than an N95 inhibits viral transmission in either direction. There are 14 RCTs that the CDC itself has had a review posted on that failed to find statistical significance for the use of masks to control viral disease transmission for anything less than an N95.
FACT: One of those 14 studies found that cloth masks may increase the risk of viral transmission. That study, however, was among health care workers -- and not the general population.
FACT: Nations with "strong" histories of mask-wearing, including Japan and South Korea, have much higher influenza mortality than the United States on a per-100,000 population basis. The Japanese and South Korean rate, for example, is more than double that of the United States despite widespread mask-wearing by their citizens. Mask use by the general public clearly, on the empirical evidence, does not work to prevent viral transmission -- and may actually enhance transmission.
FACT: All filtering devices, whether in your car, your house (e.g. HVAC filter) or on your face (a mask) inherently concentrate that which they filter. If the device to which the filter is attached moves (e.g. you, in the case of a mask) then they both collect and then transport that concentrated material from one place, the source of said contamination, to another -- everywhere you may go after it is collected.
FACT: Re-use of a removed mask without effective sterilization is profoundly unsafe as any transfer of contamination from the outside surface to the inside instantly infects the wearer when the mask is put back on. In addition since exhaled breath contains 100%Rh (saturated with water vapor) a used mask is a warm, moist and food-laced (from your exhaled breath) environment -- perfect for exponential bacterial replication. In short once a mask has been put on and used it must be considered a biologically hazardous item until it is either sterilized or disposed of in a safe manner. We put "sharps" containers in some public restrooms for exactly this reason; diabetics, for example, may have to inject insulin and after using said syringe it is biologically dangerous and contact with same and any surface or other person must be prevented. The same applies to a mask that has been used. Nobody in their right mind would walk around dropping used toilet paper on surfaces where others can contact it, yet in terms of disease risk a used mask is worse than used toilet paper.
FACT: A person who is wearing a mask walks past someone who coughs. Said symptomatic coughing person in fact has Covid19. There is a small but non-zero chance that at the moment of the cough the person will be inspiring air, and if they are, they are likely to get infected. In outdoor environments the dilution factor for said cough is enormous, which is why the risk is small but does exist. However, there is a much greater risk that droplets or aerosol will impinge on the mask's surface than in the nose or face of the person, simply because the mask has as much as 20x or more the surface area of either an open mouth (if breathing by mouth) or nostrils (if by nose.) If the mask-wearer has on an N95 a majority to nearly all of the virus will impact on and, for that which does not pass through or bypass the mask, will be retained on the outside surface. If a paper or cloth mask is in use the percentage of retention is much lower, as little as 2% for a cloth mask or bandana, however the surface area is extremely large for all face coverings and as such they will collect far more virus than could be inspired irrespective of the material and type that is in use.
Source: The Facts On Masks: Public Health Officials in forum [MaskHoles]
We tested 14 different face masks or mask alternatives and one mask material.
My toddler has to wear a mask?!!!
Even the WHO says children under 5 should not be forced to wear masks, so why are many airlines and other organizations forcing children sometimes under TWO years old to wear them, and forcing families off flights who cannot persuade their toddler to OBEY mask laws.
Besides, if you can smell a stinky poo seeping through a tightly fitted diaper, how can anyone expect a loose-fitting mask, likely used over and over again, to do anything but HELP CONCENTRATE and SPREAD viruses even further far-and-wide...
In general, children aged 5 years and under should not be required to wear masks. This advice is based on the safety and overall interest of the child and the capacity to appropriately use a mask with minimal assistance. There may be local requirements for children aged 5 years and under to wear masks, or specific needs in some settings, such as being physically close to someone who is ill. In these circumstances, if the child wears a mask, a parent or other guardian should be within direct line of sight to supervise the safe use of the mask.
Possible ulterior motives?
These unconscious associations are extremely strong. Gags are a symbol of subservience and domination; they are deeply humiliating (and indeed they are popular in BDSM sexual bondage practices).
That is why people resist them so much; that is also why they are currently being made mandatory the world over. There is little doubt the unproductive barbarians behind this circus are enjoying themselves; they believe they are being subtle.”
"There's no reason to be walking around with a mask," infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci told 60 Minutes.
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