Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Why Face Masks Don’t Work: A Revealing Review
oralhealthgroup.com ^ | October 18, 2016 | John Hardie, BDS, MSc, PhD, FRCDC

Posted on 06/27/2020 8:34:23 AM PDT by ransomnote

Yesterday’s Scientific Dogma is Today’s Discarded Fable

Introduction
The above quotation is ascribed to Justice Archie Campbell author of Canada’s SARS Commission Final Report. 1 It is a stark reminder that scientific knowledge is constantly changing as new discoveries contradict established beliefs. For at least three decades a face mask has been deemed an essential component of the personal protective equipment worn by dental personnel. A current article, “Face Mask Performance: Are You Protected” gives the impression that masks are capable of providing an acceptable level of protection from airborne pathogens. 2 Studies of recent diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and the Ebola Crisis combined with those of seasonal influenza and drug resistant tuberculosis have promoted a better understanding of how respiratory diseases are transmitted. Concurrently, with this appreciation, there have been a number of clinical investigations into the efficacy of protective devices such as face masks. This article will describe how the findings of such studies lead to a rethinking of the benefits of wearing a mask during the practice of dentistry. It will begin by describing new concepts relating to infection control especially personal protective equipment (PPE).

Trends in Infection Control
For the past three decades there has been minimal opposition to what have become seemingly established and accepted infection control recommendations. In 2009, infection control specialist Dr. D. Diekema questioned the validity of these by asking what actual, front-line hospital-based infection control experiences were available to such authoritative organization as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 3 In the same year, while commenting on guidelines for face masks, Dr. M. Rupp of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America noted that some of the practices relating to infection control that have been in place for decades, ”haven’t been subjected to the same strenuous investigation that, for instance, a new medicine might be subjected.” 4 He opined that perhaps it is the relative cheapness and apparent safety of face masks that has prevented them from undergoing the extensive studies that should be required for any quality improvement device. 4 More recently, Dr. R. MacIntyre, a prolific investigator of face masks, has forcefully stated that the historical reliance on theoretical assumptions for recommending PPEs should be replaced by rigorously acquired clinical data. 5 She noted that most studies on face masks have been based on laboratory simulated tests which quite simply have limited clinical applicability as they cannot account for such human factors as compliance, coughing and talking. 5

Covering the nose and mouth for infection control started in the early 1900s when the German physician Carl Flugge discovered that exhaled droplets could transmit tuberculosis. 4 The science regarding the aerosol transmission of infectious diseases has, for years, been based on what is now appreciated to be “very outmoded research and an overly simplistic interpretation of the data.” 6 Modern studies are employing sensitive instruments and interpretative techniques to better understand the size and distribution of potentially infectious aerosol particles. 6 Such knowledge is paramount to appreciating the limitations of face masks. Nevertheless, it is the historical understanding of droplet and airborne transmission that has driven the longstanding and continuing tradition of mask wearing among health professionals. In 2014, the nursing profession was implored to “stop using practice interventions that are based on tradition” but instead adopt protocols that are based on critical evaluations of the available evidence. 7

A December 2015 article in the National Post seems to ascribe to Dr. Gardam, Director of Infection Prevention and Control, Toronto University Health Network the quote, “I need to choose which stupid, arbitrary infection control rules I’m going to push.” 8 In a communication with the author, Dr. Gardam explained that this was not a personal belief but that it did reflect the views of some infection control practitioners. In her 2014 article, “Germs and the Pseudoscience of Quality Improvement”, Dr. K Sibert, an anaesthetist with an interest in infection control, is of the opinion that many infection control rules are indeed arbitrary, not justified by the available evidence or subjected to controlled follow-up studies, but are devised, often under pressure, to give the appearance of doing something. 9

The above illustrate the developing concerns that many infection control measures have been adopted with minimal supporting evidence. To address this fault, the authors of a 2007 New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) article eloquently argue that all safety and quality improvement recommendations must be subjected to the same rigorous testing as would any new clinical intervention. 10 Dr. R. MacIntyre, a proponent of this trend in infection control, has used her research findings to boldly state that, “it would not seem justifiable to ask healthcare workers to wear surgical masks.” 4 To understand this conclusion it is necessary to appreciate the current concepts relating to airborne transmissions.


MORE AT LINK


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: facemasks; masks
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-144 next last
To: Mom MD

Can you admit they can lessen the viral load

Let’s say someone with Covid sneezes around me even with my face shield and my mask..which is usually not n95 unless going to the Dr or hospital

I accept that there is no way for me to 100% be sure no virus will get in...especially since I am not an expert of removal of said items and will surely jack something up

Can you admit that the gear will likely lessen the viral load.


41 posted on 06/27/2020 10:04:32 AM PDT by RummyChick (Stop Apologizing for things you didn't do. Stop Demanding Apologies when refuse to forgive)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: ransomnote
It is actually dangerous to your health to wear face masks. The following is a report of an ad hoc experiment performed on average citizens donning face masks following a public meeting, using a blood oximeter to test for blood oxygen with and without face masks.

On Tuesday, June 9, 2020, Orange County (California) residents turned out en masse to the Board of Supervisors meeting to protest the mandatory mask order. At the meeting the health officer provided zero medical-scientific data that mandatory mask-wearing was safe, particularly during summertime high temperatures, or in the context of young children - nor could he provide any study showing mask-wearing is effective at containing viral transmission in order to combat the myriad studies showing it is NOT effective at viral containment.

At the meeting numerous doctors, attorneys, educators, psychologists, parents, and concerned residents cited medical studies on the harms from mask-wearing. So upset were these residents by the failure of the health officer to rescind the medically-unsubstantiated mandatory mask order - which intransigent position also drew hours of heavy fire from the Supervisors - or even to provide any studies showing efficacy of mask-wearing, that the residents proceeded to go outside onto the steps of the County Hall, at noon, in the 100 degree heat, and put on the "mandated masks" while using a Pulse Oximeter to measure their oxygen levels and heart rate.

The results were nothing short of horrifying:

ALL of the individuals had their oxygen rate drop from a healthy 98 or 99% (without the mask) - a total of five, ten, and sometimes twenty full points - within a few minutes of mask-wearing. Medically, below 92% is considered "dangerous" - while below 90% oxygen merits a denomination of "hypoxemic" The AVERAGE drop of these OC residents in oxygenation was more than 12 points, into the hypoxemic range.

Two of the participants, one a very fit daily runner, and one a very fit nurse, had their oxygen rates drop into the 70s - where organ damage, systems failure, and death can occur. ALL participants suffered dangerous drops in oxygen: 43% fell into the "dangerous" zone, 29% in the hypoxemic zone, and 29% fell into the extremely dangerous hypoxemic zone (where cardiac arrest, organ failure and death occur.) Even those who just stood around in the masks doing absolutely nothing had frightening drops in oxygen levels. As context, most of the participants were in decently good health, and not overweight. I'm sure I don't need to extrapolate for the reader what could happen if this test were performed with an average cross section of citizens, i.e., with the nearly 40% of OC residents who suffer from at least one chronic health condition, and with the more than 20% of OC residents who are obese. It is a striking juxtaposition to note that Medicare and most insurance companies will pay for people with oxygen rates of less than 88% to get supplemental oxygen and all carriers and health experts advise you to seek immediate medical intervention below 88% - and the average oxygen rate was two points less than that at 86% after only a few minutes of mask-wearing.

Given the data from yesterday, let me underscore once more in no uncertain terms, and in language that is absolutely unmistakable: the liability that an OC School District or Board will be facing if it mandates mask-wearing for students or teachers is truly incalculable, in the event the mask-wearing causes a drop in oxygen (which we now know it likely will), which then leads to a medical complication or death. We have no idea what will happen to children who are made to wear masks in the triple digit weather of mid-August, but my guess is that their systems, being less developed and often more sensitive -- compounded by the fact that children are notoriously poor at self-regulation and are traditionally MUCH more active than adults -- will fare very badly indeed. Recent headlines have made quite clear that death of children and losses of consciousness can and do occur: https://nypost.com/2020/05/06/two-boys-drop-dead-in-china-while-wearing-masks-during-gym-class/

https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/two-schoolboys-collapse-and-die-just-six-days-apart-in-china-while-wearing-face-masks-c-1017871t659l

https://nypost.com/2020/04/24/driver-crashes-car-after-passing-out-from-wearing-n95-mask/

. Let me now turn to the original reason for writing this email, which was to provide you a Summary of Medical Data (June 2020) from Switzerland, which further throws into serious question why educational agencies would make any changes to school protocols - if we are not similarly prepared to make massive overhauls based on the flu season each year (which seasonal flu actually affects children more than COVID does):

Also, New England Journal of Medicine notes that masking is ineffective in community settings, and that even in healthcare arenas, it's highest and best use is not to reduce viral transmission but people's anxiety:

Finally, the World Health Organization came out yesterday (June 8, 2020), concluding in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS that asymptomatic patients are NOT spreaders of the virus, which simply confirmed what earlier studies in May had found. Accordingly, we should NOT be worried that Little Johnny is going to catch the virus and bring Covid home to kill Grandma. Put simply: masking and social distancing are unnecessary, will create more medical and psychological damage than benefit, and are unneeded as healthy people and asymptomatic positive people DO NOT SPREAD THE VIRUS (so just keep the sneezy-coughers out of class -- which is standard -- and we will be just fine):

Sincerely,
Leigh Dundas, Esq.


42 posted on 06/27/2020 10:06:17 AM PDT by Swordmaker (My pistol self-identifies as an iPad, so you must accept it in gun-free zones, you hoplophobe bigotu)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: chajin

Yeah, particulate but not virus. Like a said the masks are pretty good at containing the wearers spewage from scattering too far. Intake, not so much. We are under the guvs decree(nevaDUH) to wear them in public again. But, not in the car or working in the yard or eating at a restaurant or drinking a beverage in a bar or in a casino smoking. Yeah, pretty much “But we’re doing something!”


43 posted on 06/27/2020 10:06:58 AM PDT by rktman ( #My2ndAmend! ----- Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: chajin

pretty interesting way of putting it
never really thought about it that way

28 year old CHaz who refuses to wear a mask and parties... who cant taste or smell and probably has COVID is sitting in his bathtub drinking whiskey. He cant taste it. He cant smell it. He isnt doing it for medicine effect

He is young, DGAF and rocks on.


44 posted on 06/27/2020 10:08:23 AM PDT by RummyChick (Stop Apologizing for things you didn't do. Stop Demanding Apologies when refuse to forgive)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: ransomnote

just saw this this morning

(Not advocating for masks- just thought the article was interesting- seems Israel has been on the forefront of all kinds of breakthroughs in medicine and science- )

Israeli mask ‘gives 99 percent virus safety’
An early test conducted at a lab in Shanghai found the fabric used in the masks neutralised an overwhelming majority of the coronavirus

https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/israel-startup-expects-reusable-mask-will-be-able-to-neutralise-99-of-covid-19/

This wasn’t the article i had read- the other one stated the masks could be washed ‘100’s of times and still be as effective’

This could be a huge breakthrough for medical peeps


45 posted on 06/27/2020 10:09:46 AM PDT by Bob434
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NorthstarMom
I get headaches from wearing one

That is because wearing the mast cuts up to 40% of your oxygen intake while you are re breathing the co2 you just exhaled!

46 posted on 06/27/2020 10:12:36 AM PDT by painter ( Isaiah: �Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: ransomnote

This article is Fake Science.


47 posted on 06/27/2020 10:12:58 AM PDT by kaehurowing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RummyChick

depends on multiple factors including how well your mask fits, if any particles end up on your skin or other surfaces that you touch then touch your face etc. Will it lessen the load you are exposed to enough to prevent infection - which is the real question you are asking. doubtful as even fauci and other mo mask nazis say the masks do not prevent the wearer from catching the virus. In addition we do not use viral load to determine infectivity. we use it in infected people to determine how well their immune system or drug therapy is working against their disease. Wear the mask if you want but there is zero evidence it does anything to protect you from catching covid or any other viral illness


48 posted on 06/27/2020 10:14:47 AM PDT by Mom MD
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Wayne07
Re: 21

We don’t know that masks are ‘working’ in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan,
We may know that they are having a lower mortality rate due to COVID, but that may be due to some other factor (e.g., less obesity in those countries).

49 posted on 06/27/2020 10:14:54 AM PDT by El Cid (Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: ransomnote

the masks are a whopping $200 plus for just 5- supposed to last only about a year-

here’s a site that sells them IF anyone who works in medical field or health centers or around lots of folks from all over (like stores) or whatever is interested- -

https://sonoviatech.com/product/sonomask-adult-size-anti-bactrial-adjustable-reusable-dual-layer-face-masks-washable-covers-with-antimicrobial-protection-every-wear/


50 posted on 06/27/2020 10:14:56 AM PDT by Bob434
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: datura
"Let’s talk physics."

Agreed.

It's like being made to wear a dunce cap, on your face, because the teacher had the wrong answer.

51 posted on 06/27/2020 10:16:29 AM PDT by BuddhaBrown (Path to enlightenment: Four right turns, then go straight until you see the Light!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Mom MD

[[ Wear the mask if you want but there is zero evidence it does anything to protect you from catching covid or any other viral illness]]

See my post #45 and #50- these new type antimicrobial masks ‘are supposed to be’ 99% effective- don’t know if you are practicing medicine? Or know of folks who do? Might be worth a look for those who are exposed to sick people on a daily basis if so?


52 posted on 06/27/2020 10:18:26 AM PDT by Bob434
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: ransomnote

They fail to distinguish between surgical and n95s or greater. It’s a bullshit argument.


53 posted on 06/27/2020 10:18:46 AM PDT by willfulknowledge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BuddhaBrown

I always associated those who wear face masks with those who are into S&M bondage. During this Chinese pandemic, they are finally able to “come out.”


54 posted on 06/27/2020 10:18:58 AM PDT by SamAdams76
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: Wonder Warthog

But let’s not let that spoil the narrative.


55 posted on 06/27/2020 10:19:40 AM PDT by willfulknowledge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: NorthstarMom

I’ve seen some clerks wearing face shields. If I were in a position where my job required a mask, that would use the shield.


56 posted on 06/27/2020 10:20:03 AM PDT by Cold Heart
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: ransomnote
Transmission of COVID-19 virus by droplets and aerosols: A critical review on the unresolved dichotomy

Scroll down to section 5 if you're in a hurry.

57 posted on 06/27/2020 10:24:28 AM PDT by mewzilla (Break out the mustard seeds.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mewzilla

For everyone wanting real science and real physics, see my above link.


58 posted on 06/27/2020 10:25:27 AM PDT by mewzilla (Break out the mustard seeds.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: Mom MD

No that isn’t my question

I accept it is quite likely I can be infected

the key is keeping the viral load as small as possible so my body can fight it off..ESPECIALLY since no one seems to know how thalassemia and my oxidative stress is going to react to it.

Even the specialists in Italy who are experts in thalassemia and watched the cases in Italy say there a lot of unknowns. At least in the webcast I listened to which is a few weeks/months old

Perhaps my thalassemia will make it easier for my body to react to it as one medical person here theorized as my body is used to oxidative stress

In any event, it would be CRAZY for me not to try to lessen the viral load and it disgusts me that anyone would denigrate me trying to lessen the viral load


59 posted on 06/27/2020 10:27:08 AM PDT by RummyChick (Stop Apologizing for things you didn't do. Stop Demanding Apologies when refuse to forgive)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: Fai Mao

I think this anti-mask misinformation is Chinese derived fabrication meant to keep Americans doing the wrong thing which allows the virus to further its destruction on our economy. It is also meant to ruin Trump’s chances for reelection.


60 posted on 06/27/2020 10:27:35 AM PDT by jonrick46 (Cultural Marxism is the cult of the Left waiting for the Mothership.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-144 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson