Vaping In The News covers media stories on smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, exposing tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies and more worldwide.
“The largest threat to Public Health is an informed consumer.”
Angry Vapers Force Australian Health Minister to Back Down ~ Health Minister delays ban on prescription nicotine-based e-cigarettes ~ Perverse Psychology ~ Trigger ~ HK Ban Prop Dropped ~ First PMTA from an Indie Vape Manufacturer Submitted ~ David Dorn’s “The Pleasure Principle” revisited ~ Associations of Flavored e-Cigarette Uptake With Subsequent Smoking Initiation and Cessation ~ The past is not the future in tobacco control ~ Slice & Dice | Vape Crusader Fights Toe-To-Toe | RegWatch
Angry Vapers Force Australian Health Minister to Back Down
On the 26th of January, in fast and accurate form as always, Jim McDonald breaks down the FIGHT in Australia.
If that didn’t trigger you… (Blame Michelle Minton, I warned you), I’ve made a nifty-diftly little meme for you to connect the dots from the FDA, flowing through non-profit political front groups posing as “public health”.
They’re blaming YOU in business for something THEY created – and they’re getting away with it. But, think for yourself. I’m here to help. You’re welcome.
HK Ban Prop Dropped
“It welcomed the science-based approach that embraces the concept of tobacco harm reduction”… see what Dave has to say:
Greg Conley @GregTHR at the #GFN20. See conference video. Greg is one of the most prominent defenders of vaping in the US and has appeared on CNN, Fox News & MSNBC – as well as at the White House. His talk? ‘Powerful forces not always benign’ https://t.co/73DnKq4wRO
— Global Forum on Nicotine (@GFNicotine) June 24, 2020
First PMTA from an Indie Vape Manufacturer Submitted
— Charles A. Gardner, PhD (@ChaunceyGardner) June 28, 2020
The Pleasure Principle revisited…
David Dorn, if you remember, was at the Global Forum on Nicotine in 2016. He made a speech. Now in June of 2020, Samantha below finds it, loves it, and explains it. David’s work did not, and will not, go unnoticed or forgotten as long as I’m around.
THIS is another reason I love Twitter and do what I ‘do’.
The Pleasure Principle, love it! This NEVER enters Public Health rhetoric. There is zero understanding that smokers ENJOY smoking and that ex smokers who switch to vaping, enjoy it EVEN MORE….@LegaliseVapinghttps://t.co/63oBqOi83X
Associations of Flavored e-Cigarette Uptake With Subsequent Smoking Initiation and Cessation
17,929 participants? Nice! It’s not as large as Dr. Farsalino’s largest ever found here with 69,233 participants, and submitted to the FDA as Docket No. FDA-2017-N-6565_FARSALINOS.pdf. (We’ve NEVER heard a word since that I’m aware of).
“In this study, adults who began vaping nontobacco-flavored e-cigarettes were more likely to quit smoking than those who vaped tobacco flavors.”
'Flavored' e-cigarettes = 2.3X more effective for smoking cessation than tobacco flavor. Yes.
Finally, I hope you can bear an hour and a half of listening to me with Brent Stafford of RegWatch, he invited me (yay!) on to discuss a few things… I was honored to be invited and followed a great number of people I’ve admired over the years on his show.
I want to thank Cindy Schmidt specifically for reminding me of the reason I do what I do, and the perspective and kind words she had at the beginning of the show, and for Mike Peterson’s words and of course, vapers.org.uk.
Among other topics Brent Stafford covers, are you familiar with hundreds of guests in the vaper space from consumers, industry, and public health experts appearing on RegWatch?
Vaping In The News covers media stories on smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, exposing tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies and more worldwide.
“The largest threat to Public Health is an informed consumer.”
Louise Ross: Pragmatism versus dogma ~ Global Forum on Nicotine ~ The Unlikely Savior ~ Don’t Ban Today What May Have a PMTA Tomorrow ~ R.J. Reynolds Wants Out of Historic Tobacco Settlement ~ Anti-Drug Warriors’ Crocodile Tears ~ Snus ~ Butthurt Stan ~ No Flavour Gateway
Louise Ross: Pragmatism versus dogma
A pioneer (and someone I adore) speaks at the Global Forum on Nicotine, and Clive Bates covers it:
Here’s a subtle observation about #GFN20 each year. Those claiming to be “experts” have an open invite, yet are not speaking or attending to share their ‘knowledge’.
Those experts who ARE attending & speaking? I’ve never seen ONE of them proclaim expertise.
Maybe it’s simply because smokers are already forced to be anti-social by being put in smoking areas. Maybe it’s the nicotine, or some other constituent in cigarettes… either way – I know the tobacco CONtrol and anti-nicotine crowd have (depending on where you’re from) – their panties, knickers, or shorts in a knot about even imagining nicotine has a “good place” in the world.
That’s how I like to picture them: uncomfortable, scratching their heads and picking their asses, in public.
I’m not sure how many times I’ve said this: If you are IN this industry, you MUST have working knowledge of your local (and state) representatives (and opposition). You MUST be PROactive. You MUST be JUST as concerned about THEIR concerns and answer those questions before your 3 minutes at a podium ticks quietly by on deaf ears. Certainly, out of breath – I’ve covered these and more as a consumer, HERE: Vaping Industry Trade Associations.
So this caught my eye, and you, in industry, should read it. Your business, your choice. The deadline is looming, and I’m still rooting for you.
“It is reasonable for states and localities, which can often move faster than federal regulatory bodies, to regulate tobacco products in a way that suits their constituents.”
I adore Michelle Minton. She wrote (among many things) this. This time she covers virtue signaling and disingenuous crocodile tears… from those who openly perpetuate the problem.
Just the title alone should’ve brought you this far down the page… It seems Professor Puff-N-Stuff in in need of a little ointment and of course, more funding.
Vaping In The News covers media stories on smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, exposing tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies and more worldwide.
“The largest threat to Public Health is an informed consumer.”
Ray Yeates ~ Global Forum on Nicotine ~ Harry’s Blog #101: The New Colonials ~ In the UK National Health Service, Staffers Benefit From Subsidized Vapes ~ WHO Uses World No Tobacco Day To Attack Vaping ~ Experts accuse WHO of encouraging smoking to waste more lives
Ray Yeates
The fundraiser for Ray has raised $5,627 raised of $10,000 goal. Jaye Blancher has organized this fundraiser on behalf of Ray Yeates. If you can’t donate, please share.
This is an unprecedented opportunity ***this week*** to virtually attend a meeting I’ve wanted to go to since its inception in 2014. If you can, register and join!
Scheduled to appear are a who’s WHO of harm reduction idols of mine, and likely yours. Here’s where you can register:
Vaping In The News covers media stories on smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, exposing tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies and more worldwide.
“The largest threat to Public Health is an informed consumer.”
Death Sentence For A Vape Advocate Refused Oxygen Because He Vapes ~ The Bizarre Attack on Vaping ~ Tracking Vapers ~ Nicotine Could Prevent the Spread of COVID-19, Studies Suggest ~ First Study of ZYN, A Novel Consumer Nicotine Product ~ New Report Unveils The Extent To Which The CDC And FDA Lost Focus ~ Since I switched to vaping ~ Piss poor methodology ~ United States Vaping Association- USVA ~ Mitch Zeller with AMJ Public Health (Podcast).
Death Sentence For A Vape Advocate Refused Oxygen Because He Vapes
I’ve affectionately called Ray a #CrankyOldMan since late 2014. He introduced me to the thought that what governments were doing *then* (and still are) by banning, regulations, restrictions of vaping products are crimes against humanity.
Now he himself is faced with those charges. INNCO is *working on* a possible Gofundme for Ray. As soon as there is a resolution I will let everyone know on this blog.
There are reports that @RayYeates2 a patient with emphysema who quit smoking in 2013 with vaping has been denied oxygen therapy by the authorities of Nova Scotia in Canada. If this is true, the authorities need to prosecuted, and i will be eager to testify against them in court
Ya know… inspiration comes in many forms… Yolande Jeffares (who I adore) was in the chatroom on #SonOfLibertyRadio Friday night… she had a comment and idea that caught my eye… Since I switched to vaping…
Funny thing about inspiration, and hashtags… they can make a difference.
You can use the #vaping_i_can and/or #SinceISwitchedToVaping hashtags…
Since I switched to vaping I can paddle 15kms to catch fish including loading and unloading my kayak myself @TroopaX#vaping_i_can
Piss poor methodology. These researchers now only found association between nicotine vaping and #COVID19, they found that obesity REDUCES COVID-19 risk. Both spurious associations that have nothing to do with real world outcomes. https://t.co/kjr39AwWPJ
— Charles A. Gardner, PhD (@ChaunceyGardner) May 13, 2020
.@FDATobacco Director Mitch Zeller spoke to @AMJPublicHealth Podcast on FDA’s approach to strike a careful balance between making flavored tobacco products less accessible to kids, while maintaining potentially less harmful options for adult smokers looking to quit cigarettes.
Vaping In The News covers media stories on smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, exposing tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies and more worldwide.
“The largest threat to Public Health is an informed consumer.”
Deadly agency nominated for award ~ Lessons From the Public Health Responses to the US Outbreak of Vaping-Related Lung Injury ~ A Look Back at CDC’s Award-Nominated “EVALI” Response ~ Cigarette sales are rising in the middle of a pandemic ~ Nicotine Policy Should Not Be Exempt From Science ~ How ASH turned the views of just SIX smokers into a headline-grabbing 300k ~ Speaking of government math ~ What’s that? Juul and Pave? ~ Survey: ‘Cool’ factor, not flavor, drives teens to vape ~ Dependence on e-cigarettes and cigarettes in a cross-sectional study of US adults.
Deadly agency nominated for award
Because you need to pat yourselves on the back for a pseudo-job well done. You have work to do with those states banning ‘our’ products on false pretenses. Now you have the tools.
Human beings died while we eluded to something else causing the problem – and that assumption caused cities and states to ban nicotine vaping products.
We’re still confusing the public. We’ll mention it, but we’re not going to blow the same budget resources admitting or rectifying blatant misconduct. But hey, look at us! We’re a finalist for an award!
Congrats to CDC’s Dr. Briss & 2019 Lung Injury Response Team for being #Sammies2020 Science & Environment finalist! They identified the chemical compound responsible for the outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI): https://t.co/fiwSBUwD23
— Dr. Robert R. Redfield (@CDCDirector) May 4, 2020
Lessons From the Public Health Responses to the US Outbreak of Vaping-Related Lung Injury
You have work to do with those states banning ‘our’ products on false pretenses. Now you have the tools.
“The CDC’s public advice and the media were slow to report the evidence on the role of cannabis vaping. Popular government regulatory proposals – bans on sales of nicotine flavours and vaporisers – were based on the assumption that nicotine vaping was the cause of the outbreak.”
If one person is tested three-times and all three tests come back positive, it counts as three instead of one https://t.co/lAW8C1N9Er
— Rogue1-the Jeff Faria Project (@PatriotsOfMars) May 5, 2020
What’s that? Juul and Pave?
This 60 second snippet from PAVE has them telling the truth (and then distorting it). Not that that's news to anyone, I'm sure, but they did FINALLY admit the "JUUL rep" (in the school) wasn't a "JUUL rep". pic.twitter.com/Sy5cqYvxnh
What Carl said, and the video Jerry is in was “produced at taxpayer expense”.
What type of person refers to himself using a seldom-used unjustly flattering nickname? (Hint: Pretty much anyone who is part of our basket case governing cabal.) https://t.co/2q3hTIT8IA
United States of America. The only country in the world to deem a blue screwdriver a tobacco product per @FDATobacco … When are you going to wake up America? Your government is lying to you about vaping and ecigs! Do not let them hand over the industry to BT. #firetheSGpic.twitter.com/04VokflIqW
Vaping In The News covers media stories on smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, exposing tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies and more worldwide.
“The largest threat to Public Health is an informed consumer.”
Effects of electronic cigarette on platelet and vascular function after four months of use ~ Editorial: Nicotine and SARS-CoV-2: COVID-19 may be a disease of the nicotinic cholinergic system~ FDA Deems Certain Tobacco Products Subject to FDA Authority (*Revised) ~ Tobacco Harm Reduction 101 ~ Anti-Vaping Zealots Find Opportunity in the Pandemic ~ CASAA CEO Responds to Biased Bloomberg Rag Decrying Bias, Slandering Advocates ~ What We Know—and Still Need to Learn—About Coronavirus and Nicotine ~ 180 by Glantz ~ Nicotine Nightmare for the Antz ~ Blu Files PMTA; Will the Indie Vape Industry Be Shut Out? ~ Electronic Cigarette Use Among U.S. Adults, 2018 ~ Coping in Lockdown Study
Effects of electronic cigarette on platelet and vascular function after four months of use
LESS harm. Harm reduction. To my knowledge, no mice were harmed in this HUMAN study.
‘Why Is a Liquor Store Essential and I’m Not?’ Asks Store Owner During N.Y.C. Coronavirus Lockdown
My occasional tin foil hat wearing self says high volume state taxes determined what “is” ‘essential’ and ‘non-essential’… maybe if vape shops and clothing stores and churches sold liquor, cigarettes and lottery tickets….
FDA Deems Certain Tobacco Products Subject to FDA Authority(*Revised)
No one celebrates “National Tobacco Day” like the anti-movement. No one seems to CARE that definitions and scienceisn’t important legally. In addition to the list including “programmable software” (like this blog or your point of sale software?), now, the FDA has “revised” (among other things)
The following is a nonexhaustive list of examples of objects used with e-cigarettes or other ENDS that would likely be considered accessories:
•Screwdrivers
•Lanyards
to the ‘tobacco product‘ category. Someone should alert the major hardware outlets.
Okay fellow Twitter folks. Here's a preview of the website I've built over the past month. This is an easy-to-use site to find information about tobacco & vapor products by state. Feel free to give critiques, thoughts, etc. #tobaccoharmreduction101https://t.co/42TKGPvocM
Blu Files PMTA; Will the Indie Vape Industry Be Shut Out?
Jim McDonald explains “All three major U.S. tobacco companies that sell vaping products have now submitted Premarket Tobacco Applications (PMTAs) to the FDA”, and while reporting on that, recalls in January “Alex Azar promised to create a “streamlined” PMTA pathway for small vaping manufacturers”….
New CDC study says 57% who recently quit smoking had used e-cigs. Less than half of them were still vaping a year later. And only 1.1% of vapers are never-smokers. Those facts defeat all the arguments against E-cigs. Vaping is an off-ramp, not a gateway. https://t.co/tpegdsjUrlpic.twitter.com/2A6lE2J80O
Dr Marewa Glover, Dr Robin Shepherd, Dr Kumar Paramanathen, and Dr Carl V Phillips are at the helm of this and it was made possible by a grant from the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World. Data is data.
Vaping In The News covers nicotine, smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, harm reduction, tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies & more worldwide.
The largest threat to Public Health is an informed consumer.
It’s Official! PMTA Submission Deadline Will Move to Sept. 9th ~ Will Nicotine Be a Game Changer for COVID-19 Patients? ~ Tobacco Free Kids has no data ~ Truth Initiative is posturing publicly ~ White House weighing plan to replace Azar ~ Surgeon general gets pushed to sidelines, sparking questions ~ Mixed Messages from Surgeon General ~ COVID-19 Lockdown and The Damage to Vape Businesses and Their Customers ~ WHO Values Lines Of Text Over Saving Lives ~ WHO Rips Into Vaping Yet Again In This Shocking Video
It’s Official! PMTA Submission Deadline Will Move to Sept. 9th
If you haven’t heard or have been under a rock, the deadline has been extended. This does not give you three extra months to be negligent in your responsibility. In fact, I encourage you to take the allotted time to be precise, factual, and focused in your actions.
Will Nicotine Be a Game Changer for COVID-19 Patients?
Imagine the idiocy of ‘experts’ hiding, and demonizing a substance for 30+ years because they are afraid of exposing themselves and truth? As I’ve stated before, imagine the heads of tobacco control ‘experts’ hitting desks at the speed of disbelief… if, and I use the word if very seriously, nicotine (or other substance) ‘may, could, or might‘ be beneficial to preventing, suppressing or helping reduce COVID19.
Imagine, if that same study conducted (and also concluded) showing no complaints about addiction or withdrawal of the said substance at the same time. That would put 30+ years of liars in a pickle, and would warm the cockles of my heart.
Either way, science will prove, or disprove this hypothesis.
They’re spitting in the wind and being called out for it.
Yet, the CTFK statement is not based on data specific to COVID-19. It just repeats dumb talking points like "smoking weakens the immune system" without apparently realising that it's an immune system response that kills COVID-19 patients.
After being absent from multiple press conferences, Jerry has come out of double-secret probation. Yes, I did this. See, the words are there, you just have to read between the lines.
Once Again: Flavours Are Preferred by Adults, Not Just Teens
Covered over, and over, and over… and another from Penn State College of Medicine shows the same thing. Oh, and anyone 20 or under are not legally able to purchase these products.
To understand the rabbit hole we’re swirling in with official stances of powerful political and pharmaceutical front groups posing as “public health groups” would take three months to do, so I’ll assume you know. Now Dick takes the latest irony of the World Health Organization’s position to task.
Vaping In The News covers nicotine, smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, harm reduction, tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies & more worldwide.
The largest threat to Public Health is an informed consumer.
FDA Rejects Krishnamoorthi’s Call for a Temporary Vape Ban ~ The Damage to Vape Shops Deemed “Non-Essential”—And Their Customers~ US vaping lung injury outbreak was a public health fiasco or worse – comment to FDA ~ Federal Obsession With Fake Epidemic Distracted Nation From Pandemic Preparedness ~ No, vapers are not at greater risk of catching Covid-19 ~ FDA Admits There’s Actually No Evidence Vaping Makes COVID-19 Worse ~ COVID-19 Vape Survey – Scientists Need Help From the Vapers Of the World ~ Harm Reduction Expert: WHO’s Stance on Vaping is Costing Lives ~ Did the vaping industry target youth? ~ Adults don’t like flavors, but Nancy Pelosi does. ~ Public Health Covid19 email thread
FDA Rejects Krishnamoorthi’s Call for a Temporary Vape Ban
Nationally, while there are simple (and common-sense) suggestions of washing hands and such, there are also broad, borderline infringements on we, the people’s rights. Timing ‘is’ everything. Science is also a factor.
The Damage to Vape Shops Deemed “Non-Essential”—And Their Customers
VITN rules are strictly adhered to.
Speaking of rights. Classification of ‘non-essential’ businesses is subjective to who is making the determination without consideration for whom it may, or may not -arbitrarily- apply.
US vaping lung injury outbreak was a public health fiasco or worse – comment to FDA
Skirting facts, utilizing conjecture, the “evali” fiasco was a precursor to what the FDA, CDC, – really any ‘public health’ authority could screw up with a looming pandemic, proving they were both dishonest and unprepared.
FDA Admits There’s Actually No Evidence Vaping Makes COVID-19 Worse
Imagine that? The Surgeon General said VAPING might not be the only ’cause’of COVID19. On national television… but… In fact, the FDA released a statement:
Allegedly, adults don’t like #Flavors, candy or ‘other flavors’, Nancy. This will look great in court.
Pelosi answers the question, “How much of your regular diet do you think is ice cream & candy? with “As much as possible”. “I enjoy it-I like it better than anything else.”
Also, *note the candy behind the adult host in her very own video showing her love of ice-cream and flavors.
We all have found our ways to keep our spirits up during these trying times. Mine just happens to fill up my freezer. #LateLateShowpic.twitter.com/dqA32d5lU1
With my own tweet, I give an example to the Surgeon General about this… I’ll link the PDF I refer to below it. It is well worth your time to scrutinize what they already were being shown, told and advised.
"A representative for Adams says the @Surgeon_General didn’t see these emails, [2/28] and in the days afterward, @JeromeAdamsMD downplayed the coronavirus threat"
Vaping In The News covers nicotine, smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, harm reduction, tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies & more worldwide.
The largest threat to Public Health is an informed consumer.
FDA and Media Spreads Fear About Fake Vape-COVID Connection ~ Cannabis industry says the feds’ failed response to VAPI was a warning about coronavirus ~ Dear Mitch ~ Innovative approaches to support smoking cessation: Twitter chat with Charles A. Gardner PhD ~ Words Count: Nicotine and Tobacco Research Priorities ~ COVID-19 and Smoking Updates ~ Rep. Eric Swalwell ~ Clive Bates ~ Erika Lynne ~ David Newell~ BAT files patent suits against Philip Morris’ IQOS products ~ Papers about effectiveness of basic masks #masks4all
FDA and Media Spreads Fear About Fake Vape-COVID Connection
There is NO connection. -0- evidence linking COVID-19 to nicotine, vaping, or smoking, (or drinking, lifestyle choices, and all the other idiotic claims I’ve seen) ANYONE can get it.
Dave Cross over at Planet Of The Vapes is another writer who has caused me to delete more draft blogs… in this one:
“Thomas Miller, the Attorney General of Iowa has written to Mitch Zeller, the Director of the Centre for Tobacco Products at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He and a number of other tobacco harm reduction advocates are concerned about recent statements linking vaping to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Words Count: Nicotine and Tobacco Research Priorities
As Dr. Gardener states in this: “This was a simple exercise undertaken for illustrative purposes”, however, the initial showing of words used (and not used) and the source being the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, you’d think there’d be more meaningful content.
You know when Clive gets to this point, he’s had quite enough. I don’t often see Clive Bates do this, as it is out of character for him to not be professional. Now, because he has, I hope I see more of it from him, and all public health perspectives calling out any lies concerning public health.
I'm so sick of the American anti-vaping quit-or-die idiocracy – a blight on the whole world, a mighty gusher of bullshit science, lying brazenly with impunity to a dumb and complicit media, a wall of money spreading fake ideas globally, led by moralising elitist sociopaths.
Again, when Clive uses a hashtag, specifically that one, it is not without thought before he typed it.
Absolutely no doubt about it now #FireTheSG – patronising, offensive, negligent and wrong about nearly everything that matters. https://t.co/yMuQkGGbfG
Erika has been on a while and had the opportunity to participate in a PAVe webinar… great thread.
This is a long one guys but here's a look into the PAVe "Not just vapor" parent/adult webinar. I took photos of almost all slides they shared (missed some because I had to tend to my puppy). @whycherrywhy We're you able to take part in this "fascinating" webinar?
Oh… and David… once the most blocked twitter account ever, has highlighted a perplexing position the World “Health” Organization (WHO) have placed themselves ‘in’.
Having donated life-saving ventilators to the people of Greece, tobacco companies are now trying to help homeless smokers by offering them free vaping gear. But apparently it's all a dastardly plot to undermine the almighty Article 5.3https://t.co/Hk2zVDRKCtpic.twitter.com/s3HcvL0qHp
I can’t believe there is this much discourse about face masks.
What if, despite “expert” advice, simply suggesting wearing a mask may, could, might, or possibly reduce your risk from the other asymptomatic humans, and “flatten the curve”? To overlook deter something as simple (and inexpensive) as facemasks as part of the standing COVID-19advice to the public should be construed as negligence. Reasonable “explanations” for not wearing masks is quite frankly, worse.
I can’t believe there is this much discourse around the world about face masks.
So, while looking for the difference of ‘experts’ downplaying a need, increased hype against the need, and common sense for, or against wearing a mask for personal use, I’ve highlighted a Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) preventive graphic: I see exposure, person to person, close contact, and finally, how droplets can… wait, let me get my mask.
______________________________________
It’s personal.
For all intents and purposes, all humans have the same preventive goal: To protect our individual selves and the ones we love. To choose to wear a mask is a personal, individual choice. I’m all for it, and that. Wikipedia explains “Personal protective equipment (PPE) is protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer’s body from injury or infection.” To reduce risk of that which poses a threat. To minimize exposure. It doesn’t say it will work. I know less than you do about infectious diseases, and I can’t say you’ll wear a mask properly or if it will work. But……….
In densely populated (and worst hit) areas of the United States (think New York, you know, subways and stuff) I’ll ask again: What if, simply wearing a mask would achieve their slogan of “flatten the curve”? What if “they”, the chosen experts, are wrong?
“Tinfoil hat time”: What are they trying to hide? Why are they trying to hide it? Are they ignoring information for appearances? Do they want this pandemic to get worse?
______________________________________
Creating fear?
Are masks unnecessary? Are they purposely downplaying the need? I’ve seen ‘higher risk’ groups singled “stigmad” out (yep, made it up) because of age, alcohol use, being overweight, smokers, vapers, and more. To gaslight “groups” of people claiming they are at a higher risk is idiotic. I can only think that narrative would give anyone not in that group a false sense of security. I also think well, gee, those people should be wearing masks!
If you’re old enough to remember, this is how AIDS ideology, stigma, and discrimination was fueled. You’d THINK “Public Health” would learn.
Interestingly, Twitter just released guidelines saying : “Claims that specific groups, nationalities are never susceptible to COVID-19″ and on my point, bold being my emphasis again: “Claims that specific groups, nationalities are more susceptible to COVID-19″… that’s found here. I hope it extends to other false narratives.
I stated on Twitter: “Someone tell me ‘I’m’ wrong.”: (this includes you!) “*Everyone* has the exact same RISK of #COVID19. Washing hands, social distancing, less exposure, reduces RISK. Exposure is the risk, anyone *having it* who also suffers from chronic disease MAY, could, or might have more detrimental outcomes.”
Remember the CDC graphic above? The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. I don’t find it unreasonable to utilize a mask as a preventable measure. What if it helps….
______________________________________
Don’t wear a mask?Says W.H.O.?
Why not? The World Health Association (W.H.O.) says if you’re healthy, only wear a mask if you’re attending to anyone suspected of a COVID-19 infection. Well that’s odd. I suspect anyone is licking toilet seats or not washing their hands are suspect, but I can’t tell those humans apart from the ones that don’t. Also, those telling you and me what we can, cannot personally ‘do’ are by all accounts, suspect. It’s a thing with me.
Masks should be worn by health care providers who manage #COVID19 patients in health facilities. Masks are also important for people w/ symptoms or those caring for them. Irresponsible use of masks by those who do not need them can be harmful & cause shortages for those in need. pic.twitter.com/u31rebIPbo
In the tweet above it states “Irresponsible use of masks by those who do not need them can be harmful”.
But… this, from October 2019 states: “
Recommended for symptomatic individuals, and conditionally recommended for public protection“, also “Given the costs and the uncertain effectiveness, face masks are conditionally recommended only in severe influenza epidemics or pandemics for the protection of the general population, but are recommended for symptomatic individuals at all times.”
Did I run out and purchase masks? No, but if you’re like me, you’re not randomly doing as you’re told. I’ll wear a bandana. Simple, makes me feel better. It’s a personal, individual choice. Besides, I don’t trust their advice on things I know, why should I trust them with things I don’t. I already suffer from borderline anti-public health ‘expert’ syndrome.
On February 29th, 2020, the U.S. Surgeon General stated scolded the public with all the professionalism in the world. He tweeted “Seriously people- STOP BUYING MASKS!“, I decided he’s marginalizing something bigger than he is – like his ego and narrative, and I’ll assume he’s wrong. What if he is?
How DARE (I) we humans question authority or think it (may, could) might be acceptable to think for ourselves, and by the way, Jerry… why are you taking the liberty of relinquishing Americans of their personal choice by demanding we do, or not do anything?
“The precautionary principle states we should sometimes act without definitive evidence, just in case…”
“The public” here are not volunteers in someone else’s experiment in a flu outbreak—they are people the world over who are trying to stay alive in a deadly pandemic.”
Is it me, or is it hard to fathom potential & devastating (hindsight in 2020 will be 20/20) there could ever be so much debate and professional division about masks?
“Covid19 has released global awareness about #PublicHealth, spotlighting & exposing unprepared experts who assume, correlate, fabricate,hypothesize, speculate & manipulate#data leveraging financial/political advantages against humans.
______________________________________
Peeling off the mask
What about research, or data on masks vs no masks? Because I adore JoodiG, and because of what she (and Patty McNulty above her) said, I was intrigued. REDUCING RISK. Then of course, there’s that personal, individual choice again.
Even a home made mask reduces risk. It doesn’t eradicate it, but that’s what harm Reduction is all about – Reducing RISK. People deserve to receive honest, evidence based information. @JeromeAdamsMD do your damn job! https://t.co/o4f4Fvhngh
— JoodiG: Never knowingly understood (@JoodiG) March 28, 2020
Are public health “leaders” trying to make us “look like” we’re not panicking to the rest of the world? We’ve already bought all the toilet paper, is wearing masks considered taboo in the USA? Is it that the government was already in an unprepared en mass position, and the public depleted the normal needed stock of masks too quickly? I’ll get back to that link JoodieG shared shortly below… and hey, thanks for hanging with me.
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I have to ask, what about the flu?
What about wearing masks for flu season(s)… what does the Centers for DISEASE control say about that? Well…. interestingly…
I do like to fact check, so off I go… where one tab becomes three, and five… and wait a minute.
So, what about the flu… well… This got my attention. Sherif Mossad, MD isn’t a political or governmental public health figure, he is an infectious disease specialist. At the Cleveland Clinic. Wait, now when flu season is in, why are we not being told to wear masks? I’ll let you ponder that as this paragraph comes to a non-conclusional (Yep, made that one up myself as well) close.
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Someone’s lying, or someone isn’t telling the whole truth, so because I like to poke Jerry… the expert.
Hiya, Jerry. Are you an infectious disease specialist?
Is denying an honest conversation about masks worth your #feelings and above #publichealth?
Look at the graphic again, and look at what Jerry said.
Popular (Twitter) hashtags about this subject are #masksforall and #masks4all.
The link to the article (graphic) in my above tweet is here.
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Points, counterpoints.
For time and space, you can click here for this tweet, and it will open to a continuous ‘thread’ of other related tweets from this and other users. Also, as always, I highly suggest joining Twitter (There’s that personal, individual choice again.)
For the @nytimes, I wrote about why health authorities telling people they didn't need masks, and, besides they wouldn't wear them right, misfired and maybe even fueled hoarding. There will be many painful truths, and we need to learn to talk about them. https://t.co/vGF5UZdpPnpic.twitter.com/vBhEbS2rJk
Obviously, healthcare workers should get priority on the appropriate masks because they – are – at the highest risk for exposure.
That said, how about Mrs. Johnson down at your local brick and mortar? She’s exchanging your money in face to face transactions tirelessly, because she is an essential worker. How, if anyone can not show symptoms immediately, can they know they’re contagious? Does anyone not deserve a mask in face-to-face transactions? As much as I like Mrs. Johnson, if neither of us are wearing masks as a preventative measure and she’s asymptomatic, and I come home to my grandson…
Masks allow the user to reduce their risk. Also, see harm reduction, and there’s that personal, individual choice again.
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Remember JoodiG’s tweet?
Do you know why I’m the guy who asked all the annoying questions in class? Because either I didn’t understand it, and/or others were afraid to ask. Yeah, that was me.
Here’s the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health (NCBI link) JoodieG referred to above in her tweet.
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I’m just a human being wondering how big a failure this could be, and what else they are already not doing.
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Yep, I still can’t believe there is this much discourse about masks. My disclaimer? I’m not an expert. I can only read, comprehend, and decide for myself and my family. Your personal decision to buy, make, and wear, or not wear masks is your decision. From a social distancing standpoint, and human interaction, You do you, I’ll do me.
I hope and predict(see same-day update from the Washington Post below) masks will be suggested soon by U.S. officials with some excuse that new data has come out, they didn’t know, without admitting a failure, by pointing fingers at the public – in the ‘we didn’t plan to have enough’ chain of events that will unfold in disbelief, right before our open, gaping, uncovered mouths… I mean, eyes.
Please, don’t hold your breath, I’ve been wrong before. The one thing I am confident in? Trust, but verify.
They could be right, I advise to ALWAYS question public health “experts”, and wash your hands. Masks are optional and, that advice, of course, is a personal, individual choice for you to make. Or not.
Be well.
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UPDATE:
President Trump was asked about masks today 3/30/2020 (the same day as this blog). His remarks are below, and on this tweet with the question starting at the 46:36 time mark.
The question (and response) was:
Reporter: “Scott Gottlieb, your former FDA Commissioner wrote a roadmap for recovery after the coronavirus. President Trump: Very interesting I saw it. Reporter: He suggests, the roadmap suggests that everybody wear a mask in public. Is that something that the task force – thinks is a good idea?”
President Trump: “We haven’t discussed it to that extent… but it’s certainly something we could discuss. We’re getting certainly the number of masks that you need. We are in the process of talking about things, I saw his suggestion on that, so we’ll take a look at it, for a period of time, not forever I mean you know we want our country back.”
He went on to say “We’re not going to be wearing masks forever but it could be for a short period of time after we get back into gear. People could, I could see something like that happening for a period of time. But I would hope it would be for a very limited period of time. Doctors, they’ll come back and say for the rest of our lives we have to wear masks.”
HUH.
I found this from the Washington Post late this evening:
Now it’s being considered…..
“according to a federal official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because it is an ongoing matter of internal discussion and nothing has been finalized.”
YES! Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good! See study by Myers & Co. @US_FDA! All refs for modeling parameters given👇. Even 50% compliance with low-filtration (ill-fitting) surgical masks reduce flu transX by 42% (fig1d). #COVID19 is at least as contagious as flu. https://t.co/r9h9Jfaokgpic.twitter.com/FYNqTe9eI1
— Prof. Dr. Benhur Lee, MD 🦠🧬🔬 (@VirusWhisperer) March 30, 2020
“Guidance needs to change and needs to be clear that these nonmedical, nonsurgical masks are beneficial to the general public and should be worn when outside of the home,” said Robert Hecht, a professor of epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health.
You can hear sensible advice from the question about #MasksForAll at about 1:05:50, @Surgeon_General .@JeromeAdamsMD, and LOOK at her excitement as she was asked & answered the question *and her profession*.
Dr. Birx: Masks: “It’s just being considered by the task for now about whether that (CDC) recommendation that already exists relevant to to wearing masks should be altered in any way so it’s still under discussion.”
From an NPR interview of the head of the CDC. Translation from Orwellian bureaucratic gobbledigook: "We misled you. Wear a mask." pic.twitter.com/smEugkGxDB
Encourage the Public to Wear Masks. “There is emerging evidence that asymptomatic and presymptomatic transmission of COVID-19 is possible,18 which complicates efforts to pursue case-based interventions. To reduce this risk during Phase I, everyone, including people without symptoms, should be encouraged to wear nonmedical fabric face masks while in public.19 Face masks will be most effective at slowing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 if they are widely used, because they may help prevent people who are asymptomatically infected from transmitting the disease unknowingly.
Face masks will be most effective at slowing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 if they are widely used, because they may help prevent people who are asymptomatically infected from transmitting the disease unknowingly. Face masks are used widely by members of the public in some countries that have successfully managed their outbreaks, including South Korea and Hong Kong.20 The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended members of the public use face masks in the event of a severe influenza pandemic.21
"If you're going to wear a face covering, please try not to touch your face… please save the N95 for healthcare workers…wearing a face covering does not mean you don't have to practice social distancing." — U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams pic.twitter.com/YfCNzcpwgc
What about this? Why isn’t this part of flu ‘season’ messaging?
“Our findings suggest that a homemade mask should only be considered as a last resort to prevent droplet transmission from infected individuals, but it would be better than no protection.”
“If, in fact, a person who may or may not be infected wants to prevent infecting someone else, one of the best ways to do that is with a mask,” Fauci told CNN’s Jim Acosta. “So perhaps that’s the way to go and again, I say Jim, that’s under very active consideration. As I say, we’ll be discussing it today, this afternoon, at the task force meeting.”
A second motion was passed that included the mandate for all Laredoans to begin wearing protective face masks, or “nose to mouth” covers. That includes any type of fabric, scarf, or bandana.
While a “6” foot rule has been established, this shows the “Virus was widely distributed on floors, computer mice, trash cans, and sickbed handrails and was detected in air ≈4 m from patients.”
That’s 13.1234 FEET. Will they update it?
“positivity was relatively high for floor swab samples”…
“Because patient masks contained exhaled droplets and oral secretions, the rate of positivity for those masks was also high (data not shown). We recommend adequately disinfecting masks before discarding them.”
