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Masks save lives The advice is wrong. We've been told a "noble lie".
The studies are clear: any mask, even those made of cloth, can help reduce the spread of COVD-19.
Let me explain... http://spiked-online.com/2020/04/06/the-experts-got-it-wrong-on-face-masks/
PHE have said there is "very little evidence of widespread benefit from [mask] use outside of these clinical settings". https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/01/23/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/
A review by the University of East Anglia claims that vulnerable people should start wearing masks... but not anybody else. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-04-06/covid-19-face-masks-may-help-protect-some-households-and-the-vulnerable/
Why do masks help healthcare workers, and now vulnerable people, but suddenly become useless when worn by anyone else?
It doesn't add up.
Masks do help.
It doesn't add up.
Masks do help.
Biologist Sui Huang writes after reviewing the evidence that "any physical barrier, as provided even by makeshift masks, may substantially reduce the spread of Covid-19". https://medium.com/@Cancerwarrior/covid-19-why-we-should-all-wear-masks-there-is-new-scientific-rationale-280e08ceee71
A review of 46 scientific papers, including various meta-analyses, found that masks can be effective in reducing virus transmission. Not a single paper suggests the opposite. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HLrm0pqBN_5bdyysOeoOBX4pt4oFDBhsC_jpblXpNtQ/edit
Why do masks - any mask - work?
(1) CARRIERS: COVID-19 has a long asymptomatic and mild period. That, along with the relatively high death rate, is what makes it so dangerous. Masks help prevent carriers from spraying the liquid droplets that infect others.
(1) CARRIERS: COVID-19 has a long asymptomatic and mild period. That, along with the relatively high death rate, is what makes it so dangerous. Masks help prevent carriers from spraying the liquid droplets that infect others.
(2) GENERAL: Masks, particularly the sophisticated N95 type, can filter out the smallest particles from carriers. But the larger droplets can be stopped by any physical barrier.
This includes N95 respirator marks, standard surgical face masks, and cloth.
A recent review by the Oxford Covid-19 Evidence Service concluded that thereâs relatively little between respirator marks and standard surgical face masks in most settings.
https://www.phc.ox.ac.uk/files/covid-19-evidence-service/covid-cat-ppe-masks-7.pdf/view
A recent review by the Oxford Covid-19 Evidence Service concluded that thereâs relatively little between respirator marks and standard surgical face masks in most settings.
https://www.phc.ox.ac.uk/files/covid-19-evidence-service/covid-cat-ppe-masks-7.pdf/view
Thereâs even evidence that homemade masks (for example, from old t-shirts or scarves, as long as theyâre removed carefully and laundered afterwards) could stop those deadly droplets.
Two studies on this specific question:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0002618
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24229526
Two studies on this specific question:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0002618
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24229526
Advice against masks is driven by a "noble lie":
(1) SHORTAGES: There is concern that mass-buying would lead to shortages. But if people begin purchasing masks en masse it will incentivise mass production that we now need. https://twitter.com/Surgeon_General/status/1233725785283932160
(1) SHORTAGES: There is concern that mass-buying would lead to shortages. But if people begin purchasing masks en masse it will incentivise mass production that we now need. https://twitter.com/Surgeon_General/status/1233725785283932160
(2) MISWEARING: Masks need to be worn correctly, disposed of carefully and changed frequently. It is assumed the public can't do this - but we haven't asked. Even if some misuse, there would still be a broader benefit of mask-wearing. Plus we can teach people.
The WHO is now reconsidering their advice after a new study pointing to the effectiveness of masks from Hong Kong. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-masks-advice-could-change-after-new-evidence-emerges-11967357
On Friday, President Trump announced that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will begin recommending people wear cloth masks to tackle COVID-19, reserving surgical or N95 masks for medical professionals. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-03/trump-says-cdc-suggests-use-of-cloth-masks-to-prevent-virus
The UK Government and PHE must commit to reviewing the evidence right away. Masks could be essential to minimising the spread, and part of the plan, along with broad testing, to get life back to normal.
