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 face masks as part of the standing COVID-19 advice 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.
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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?
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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….
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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.
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?
Update April 3rd, 2020: We the people weren’t “buying masks” as Jerry arrogantly accused We, The People of. No, he deflected his amateur tweet at us while millions of masks were being exported.
Meanwhile, one of the giants in the industry argues against exporting their products.
Update April 3rd, 2020:
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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.
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…
NO recommendation. Huh.
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.
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.)
So what have we been told? They don’t ‘prevent’ anything, they might even make it worse?
This article came up, and is highly recommended. Besides, who among us doesn’t like scientific rationale???
COVID-19: WHY WE SHOULD ALL WEAR MASKS — THERE IS NEW SCIENTIFIC RATIONALE
Update April 3rd, 2020: Experts tell White House coronavirus can spread through talking or even just breathing
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Meanwhile, In Austria
Huh. Bet they “flatten the curve”. That’s all I have to say about this:
Austria to make basic face masks compulsory in supermarkets
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This poll came out yesterday on Twitter.
You can click here for this tweet and it will open to a continuous ‘thread’ of other related tweets.
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.
Updated 4/2/2020: White House expected to recommend Americans wear cloth masks to prevent coronavirus spread
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.”
CDC considering recommending general public wear face coverings in public
How about this… seems legitemate to me.
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What does a scientist from China say?
Not wearing masks to protect against coronavirus is a ‘big mistake’
Huh.
This VA Hospital Cited “Misleading” Data to Restrict Mask Use for Health Care Workers
And, a tweet is in this article I didn’t include:
Should you wear a mask in public? The narrative is shifting.
And…..
It’s Time to Face Facts, America: Masks Work
I hope to update this soon.
Update 3/31/2020:
Guess what the City of Memphis says:
“Masks may serve as additional protection when combined with other preventive measures.”
Facial Covering or Mask Guidance for General Public
How about this:
“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.
Mask mystery: Why are U.S. officials dismissive of protective covering?
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What about THIS from 2009 via the Centers for Disease Control?
“relying on laboratory-confirmed cases as the primary outcome may have been unrealistic for a study of this size”
“Masks may therefore play an important role in reducing transmission.”
Face Mask Use and Control of Respiratory Virus Transmission in Households
This is frightening: “The lack of research on facemasks and respirators is reflected in varied and sometimes conflicting policies and guidelines.”
Facemasks for the prevention of infection in healthcare and community settings.
My home state of Ohio:
White House press conference 3/31/2020
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.”
(This is found at approximately 1:54:35 in this link to press conference.)
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In California: UPDATE: Riverside County on Tuesday issued guidance to cover your face:
California Promises Guidance On Wearing Masks In Daily Life, Newsom Gives Coronavirus Update
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I like this tweet.
4/01/2020
Jacob Sullum asks the question:
What’s Up With All the Contradictory Advice About COVID-19 and Face Masks?
Multiple authors agreed, and explained in this:
- 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
National coronavirus response: A road map to reopening
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Now, still 4/01/2020…
“aaaaaaand”……. Here are a few things the Surgeon General suffered from in 00.59 seconds this morning on the TODAY Show:
And – what’s that? A review? What?
Surgeon general says CDC was asked to review guidance on wearing masks
Oh, and
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.”
Testing the Efficacy of Homemade Masks: Would They Protect in an Influenza Pandemic?
(From the 31st)
“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.”
Larado, Texas:
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.
Laredoans must now wear protective masks when entering building
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