Covid19-mask resistance and disinformation
For political reasons, the issue of masks worn by the general public has become a divisive issue. This a dangerous development. SARS2COV19 infections have accelerated with the re-opening of multiple states.
While there are many arguments about the sources of those new infections (rallies, demonstration, rioting, bars, looting, family gatherings), not enough is known about the new infections to attribute them to any one thing.
Likewise, early in the pandemic, there wasn’t much research about the use of non-medical masks in the western world in the face of virus transmission.
Some Asians wear facial coverings routinely during influenza season and/or when they themselves feel symptoms of colds or other respiratory illness. It is a matter of courtesy, so that they don’t sicken others. This has not been encouraged in the western world, until now.
Why we should each wear a mask when in public
Along with the unfamiliarity of this practice in the United States, there has been a muddled message about masking, in general. The President, until July 11, had never appeared in public with a mask, which made for bad optics, even though he is tested daily and has everyone who comes with feet of him tested. On July 11, during a visit to Walter Reed hospital, the President was photographed while wearing a mask.
We were also first told not to use “masks” (not any type specifically) in order to preserve those for medical personnel. Surgeon General of the United States Dr. Jerome Adams asked for a review of research on masks and this directive was subsequently changed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). They now recommend face coverings when in public places and when social distancing cannot be maintained.
Some of the confusion stems from the different types of masks and their functions.
N95 masks for medical personnel protect against transmission of 95 percent of virus in the air. They are closely fitted and are a part of the personal protective equipment (PPE) worn in high infection cases. Some wearers report that they are uncomfortable, because moisture builds up in them unless they are fitted with a release valve. Despite this, many of our medical personnel are now wearing them for their entire shifts. These masks protect the wearer from virus transmission.
Non-medical N95 masks are sold in home improvement stores and are sometimes used by contractors, painters, and homeowners while doing construction or maintenance. These are not for medical use (although some had been substituted for unavailable medical masks during a time when there was a short supply). These masks have always been labelled “not to be worn for more than 30 minutes” or similar verbiage. Due to the various environments in which they are worn, the pores in the masks can become clogged quicky with dust, mold spores, moisture, rendering them ineffective. They are now also labelled for consumers with this or similar verbiage “does not protect against the transmission of virus” likely because of liability issues. These masks are not intended to protect the wearer against virus transmission.
Surgical masks are used within health care environments to help contain respiratory droplets from surgeons and other medical personnel. They were not intended to protect the wearer from infection, but were intended to protect the patient. However, according to recent research, they may provide some protection to the wearer.
Fabric masks, homemade masks, bandanas, balaclavas, and other means of covering nose and mouth are intended to protect others. In the case of this virus, there is unusual and worrisome transmission from people who are infected and do not know it. They may have no symptoms during the course of their infection. Others may be pre-symptomatic carriers for 1–3 days, and develop symptoms after that time. These carriers are capable of infecting others. Recent research shows that up to 50 percent of all current infections were caused by asymptomatic transmission. Fabric masks are intended to protect others from this asymptomatic transmission.
The Lancet medical journal compiled research from 172 previous studies for a recent article regarding mask use along with physical distancing of greater than or equal to one meter, and facial shields as eye protection. The clear finding is that these methods, alone, are effective in reducing transmission. In combination, these methods work to bring transmission down dramatically. The aim is not for sterility, but for less concentration of virus in the environment. An environment with less concentration of infection is less likely to result in disease transmission.
Disinformation and urban mythology about masks.
#1. Masks cause deprivation of oxygen (hypoxia). This is one of the earliest myths to emerge among mask resisters. This is false. The spaces between the woven fibers of the fabric masks, as well as the borders of the masks, allow for plenty of oxygen exchange. I have done my own experiment. I am asthmatic, and I have a pulse/oximeter. During quite vigorous exercise, my oxygen level dropped from 98 to 97. 98/99 is my normal level unless I am experiencing an exacerbation. More scientific demonstrations than mine will be shared below.
#2. Masks cause you to re-breathe your own exhaled carbon dioxide, raising the blood level of CO2 to dangerous levels (hypercapnia). A graphic is circulating on social media to convince people not to wear masks:
https://www.snopes.com/tachyon/2020/05/Screen-Shot-2020-05-08-at-9.30.04-AM.png This graphic is not applicable to people wearing fabric masks.
The issues of hypercapnia and hypoxia have been debunked, illustrated by @mursewordsworth.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1276799020673888258
#3. Masks make you re-breathe your own germs, causing infections. Common sense, this one. Doctors and other health care professionals were masks throughout their entire shift.
#4. Masks damage your immune system. Again, as above, common sense. Do healthcare professionals have immune systems compromised by wearing masks throughout their shift? Fabric masks have more oxygen exchange than medical masks.
We are not being asked to wear masks unless we are out in public. We are not wearing them while we sleep, exercise, or spend time at home with our loved ones who have been observing health guidelines.
