the king of masks covid
Berenson, who used to work as a reporter at the New York Times before he became a full-time novelist, has been known from the very beginning as a coronavirus “contrarian,” and has since attained unofficial status as king of the lockdown skeptics. Your tax-deductible donation funds lung disease and lung cancer research, new treatments, lung health education, and more. June 18, 2020. From protests to coronavirus, a mask revolution has been taking place in Hong Kong. COVID-19 outbreak: Scientists develop replaceable filter to overcome shortage of N95 masks. The American Lung Association is committed to reducing the spread of COVID-19. Airflow (indoor, outdoor, ventilation, wind, etc), temperature, humidity, the viral load being produced by the infected person and the susceptibility of the uninfected person all play a role in how far apart you need to be. Filter inserts are probably not necessary and may make the masks more uncomfortable. The common explanation for this sudden change is that the first message was disingenuous, and given only to prevent a mask shortage among health care professionals. Although Berenson does not explicitly state as much, it is worth noting that former President Trump immediately defied the idea of mask-wearing, as did many of his supporters, which I believe led to the extreme reaction in the opposite direction among Democrats and liberals. Absolutely not. Berenson notes that the author “did not go so far as to call masks useless – a near impossibility in the current environment – but he was lukewarm at best on their value to protect other people even in the most obvious case, when they are worn by symptomatic cases in hospitals.”, Similarly, on June 5, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a paper stating that “widespread use of masks by healthy people in the community setting is not yet supported by high quality or direct scientific evidence and there are other potential benefits and harms to consider.”, Again, given the political climate, the WHO “chok[ed] out” a tepid endorsement of mask usage: “Governments should encourage the general public to wear masks in specific situations and settings.”. The COVID Crooner dresses up as the King of England to help make his point. Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky is the spiritual authority for hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews. You will now receive email updates from the American Lung Association. If only symptomatic people spread the virus, then there is no justification whatsoever for quarantining and masking healthy populations: all that societies must do is ask people exhibiting symptoms to stay home. High intensity activities. He details two 2013 decisions from Canadian arbiters, addressing a challenge to hospital rules requiring nurses to wear masks if they had not been vaccinated against influenza. Berenson describes the studies that evaluate whether surgical and cloth masks protect the wearer, and his verdict will, at this point, be unsurprising. This is also why it’s very important to clean surfaces and wash your hands after touching a surface that could be contaminated. Initially there was a significant shortage of masks for frontline workers, which was why authorities were reluctant to recommend mask wearing to the general public. Emilee Lindner. There is some evidence, however, that prolonged use of N-95 masks in patients with preexisting lung disease could cause some build-up of carbon dioxide levels in the body. Even the New York Times acknowledged that masks likely impede children’s cognitive development, despite reaching the irrational conclusion that such harm is inevitable. Moreover, the remaining observational data points staunchly in the opposite direction: worldwide, rising cases are not correlated with mask usage. Even now, with a vaccine available, the New York Times is publishing articles arguing that the supposedly deadlier new strain of the virus means that countries must lock down harder and longer; Australia expects to keep its borders closed through the end of 2021, if not longer; and the United Kingdom has indicated it will remain in lockdown until at least July. . This website uses cookies to improve content delivery. As Berenson explains, research from Hong Kong and Vietnam found no evidence that surgical masks reduce influenza transmission, and evidence that cloth masks increase rates of infection, respectively. Although Berenson does not discuss this, widespread, long-term mask usage may cause significant psychological damage, especially to children and babies and even more so to those with disabilities such as autism. Cleaning Supplies and Household Chemicals, Health Professionals for Clean Air and Climate Action, State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues (SLATI). We've been wearing masks for almost a year, so I asked my colleagues to share their favorites below. COVID-19 Inc. has set up shop in the Montgomery County mall, selling all … Want updates on the latest lung health news, including COVID-19, research, inspiring stories and health information? Those who have staked their personal and professional reputations on the efficacy and necessity of lockdowns and mask mandates cannot now acknowledge having made such a grave, crucial error. This column looks at the town of Jena and other German regions that introduced face Face masks have been called one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of coronavirus, but only if people keep them on and wear them correctly. The American Lung Association is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Requiring people to wear face masks in public places has, however, been a subject of controversy and isolating the effect of mask-wearing on the spread of COVID-19 is not simple. © 2021 American Institute for Economic ResearchPrivacy Policy, AIER is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit registered in the US under EIN: 04-2121305. For the general public, the reason for wearing a facial covering is to help protect others from you when you cough, sneeze or even talk and spray viral droplets into the air. I envy the reader who can reach the end of Alex Berenson’s Unreported Truths About Covid-19 and Lockdowns: Masks, without tearing her hair out in frustration at the absurdity of the world today, which apparently is not so different from the one that Galileo inhabited four centuries ago. Researchers from the King Abdullah University of … Decreasing the severity of the pandemic is about statistics. Thank you! So wearing a mask is showing respect for others and is your way of helping lessen the spread of the disease. We are working with community organizations and local governments to distribute these face coverings. For example, maybe the salon had good ventilation, or maybe the hairdressers were not very … As Berenson notes, there are countless other explanations for this result. Wearing masks could have the biggest impact on slowing down the spread of COVID-19, coupled with other precautions such as social distancing. The belief that asymptomatic transmission was one of the primary forces driving coronavirus spread propelled lockdowns and universal mask requirements in the spring. That is not practical or mentally helpful for the vast majority of people. extreme reaction in the opposite direction, no scientific substantiation for the claim, Vaccinations and Stimulus Boost Consumer Sentiment As Impatience Also Rises, How Lockdowns Devastated the Cruise Industry, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Apart from N95 respirators, which also are more effective because they are fitted to the individual’s face, masks are not made from such material. GRAMMYs. Health care professionals do regular tests to make sure their masks fit their faces. There is absolutely no scientific evidence that mask wearing or physical distancing weakens the immune system. News . Please be sure to wear your mask/face covering so that it covers your mouth and nose at all times. (From a logical standpoint, I have never found the concept that masks can protect those around the wearer though they do not protect her to be persuasive: either the mask functions as a barrier or it does not, although I am not a scientist and perhaps am missing something). At some point the distance away becomes statistically meaningless. It took years to fully understand transmission of HIV. N95 masks, which are worn by medical professionals who come into close contact with those with COVID-19, are actually respirators. Or vaccines to go to work.”. Are your COVID masks up to snuff? Berenson points out that immediately, when mere weeks and months before Americans had been told not to wear masks, newspapers and magazines began publishing “insufferably arrogant” pieces portraying those who resisted mask-wearing as cretins, narcissists, and even sociopaths. Our COVID-19 plan and protocols meet or exceed the social distancing, capacity, and health and safety guidelines outlined by local, state and federal authorities. It has not been disproven that five-minute headstands prevent coronavirus spread, but most of us would see a problem with government requiring us to stand on our heads for five minutes a day just in case. As Berenson argues, government directives should be supported by some evidence. Berenson compellingly dispels the myth that observational studies prove masks’ efficacy, such as the much cited salon in Missouri where two hairdressers who had coronavirus symptoms wore masks and did not infect 139 clients. The draft plan for Dial 3.0, released late Friday, called for dropping the statewide mask mandate in counties in level green starting on April 4. As with many aspects of the pandemic, mask use has become politicized which is unfortunate when it comes to public health. Thank you! 250 Division Street | PO Box 1000Great Barrington, MA 01230-1000, Press and other media outlets contact888-528-1216[email protected]. However even a 50% reduction in viral transmission is statistically important. Visit our COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker to learn more. Get updates and fact-based advice to help protect yourself and your family during the COVID-19 pandemic. Large droplets (>5 micrometers) settle quickly. This plays into the idea, held by many in this country, that those who are not on their side politically are fundamentally different, morally inferior, or perhaps even evil. Unfortunately, there is no absolute correct number. Our service is free and we are here to help you. The further away you are from an infected patient, the less likely you are to get the virus. But the real evidence lies in the fact that, contrary to the dogma that has taken root in American society, especially in Democratic circles, there is simply no scientific substantiation for the claim that masks, as they are worn in everyday life, protect either the wearer or those who encounter her. Jenin Younes is a graduate of Cornell University and New York University School of Law. These include distancing and mask wearing. Get notified of new articles from Jenin Younes and AIER. A wet mask can make it difficult to breathe and may not work as well when wet. A masks required sign at the Beau Jo’s in Idaho Springs on August 1, 2020. The coronavirus is primarily transmitted person to person via respiratory spray. King County has purchased 25 million cloth and disposable masks in an effort to provide these critical supplies to our communities as we enter new phases of re-opening in the wake of COVID-19. Mask compliance was high and not … As for the proposition that masks may not protect the wearer but do protect those around her, again, “masks have almost no chance of catching most of the particles we exhale” because of the particles’ size, as explicated in a paper published in the Lancet. In this circumstance, making a mask at home can be a life-guarding action . Several large, recent studies have established that asymptomatic transmission of the coronavirus is exceedingly uncommon, if it occurs at all; the WHO has also recognized this fact. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends medical masks for health care workers as well as for anyone who has or may have COVID-19 or who is caring for someone who has or may have COVID-19. This is the third booklet in a series, Unreported Truths About Covid-19 and Lockdowns. The first two focus upon the deleterious effects of lockdowns and overestimation of the virus’s dangerousness. Graceland has worked diligently to reconfigure all of our operations, including tours, retail and restaurants, to ensure the health and safety of our guests and associates. It looked at influenza, not COVID-19, but nonetheless, Swann used it to boost his argument that masks don't prevent the spread of a virus, like coronavirus. Staying away from people (social distancing) and decreasing the germs being transmitted between people are both ways to decrease the spread of the virus. The surge in demand worldwide for commercial face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global shortage of supplies for both physical products as well as raw materials . People who disregarded emerging recommendations for safe practices in the early days of HIV did not fare as well as those who took precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones. The first large RCT, conducted in Denmark specifically to assess the utility of masks against SARS-CoV-2, found no difference in rates of infection between those who wore and those who did not wear masks (I have previously analyzed the distortion of the study’s results, especially by the New York Times and other center-left publications). Cody King is a digital journalist for KSAT 12. Masks are not 100% effective, but mask wearing does decrease the risk of viral spread. Berenson makes an airtight case (no pun intended) that there is no evidence whatsoever that surgical and cloth masks work to control coronavirus spread, and a substantial amount that they do not. by Aaron Kunkler; Tuesday, February 23, 2021 12:00pm; News Northwest; New variants of the coronavirus are circulating in King County, but health experts say the same measures that have proven effective in stopping the virus so far should continue to offer … People with preexisting lung problems should discuss mask wearing concerns with their health care providers. . There is a tremendous amount of disinformation circulating regarding the use of masks to decrease transmission of COVID-19. All science, including public health science, is messy. This will preserve single-use mask supplies for front-line healthcare workers, and reduce the environmental impact associated with the disposal of millions of tonnes of contaminated plastic mask … The WHO also recommends medical masks for individuals who are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19 , such as people in their 60s and older, and people of any age with significant health … Not only are N95s expensive, but worn properly, they are “suffocating, uncomfortable, and difficult to tolerate for long durations.” Thus, as a practical matter, if non-medical professionals are going to wear face-coverings for an extended time period, they will be standard cloth or surgical masks. Our key findings add to the evidence that a changing climate is making it harder to protect human health. A top UW doctor talks new strains, masks and when normal could return. Confronted with a novel, aggressive coronavirus, Germany implemented measures to reduce its spread since March 2020. Vaccines are becoming more available, but masks are still key to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Gov. All adults are required to wear masks inside CHKD facilities. Do not wear a mask when doing activities that may get your mask wet, like swimming at the beach or pool. Of course, these studies have been entirely ignored by the media. These droplets may carry viruses like the one that causes COVID-19. Water activities. When you buy two masks for $29, we’ll donate two more to those in need, through our COVID-19 Action Initiative. Small droplets emitted from the mouth and nose travel much farth… It is understandable that people may look back at this old advice and not know what to believe. If you desire 100% avoidance of infection, the only way to achieve it is to isolate yourself completely. Tomorrow we’ll need negative Covid tests to travel between countries. Photo by Brais Seara/Getty Images. She previously worked for NewsChannel 20 in Springfield, Illinois. Many people who become infected can unknowingly spread the COVID-19 virus because they have few or no symptoms. Talk to our experts at the American Lung Association Lung HelpLine and Tobacco QuitLine. And all for one cause, but many reasons. Join the 700,000+ people getting our email updates! Both arbiters found in the nurses’ favor, and determined there was limited or no evidence that demonstrated the “utility of masks in reducing transmission” and substantial harms, including discomfort and skin irritation. Share your voice and advocate for policies that will save lives. It is important that the mask not be so thick as to make breathing through them completely uncomfortable. To protect our patients, their families, and our staff from COVID-19, we're asking people not to use face masks with … Surgical masks are less effective and cloth face coverings even less so in protecting the wearer. It would have remained in place for schools, for visitors to congregate-care facilities including nursing homes, … Vaccinated Colorado mom gives birth to baby with COVID-19 antibodies COVID in Colorado: The latest updates on vaccines, masks, restrictions, dial levels and more Many health experts consider the use of face masks to be key in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But his pronouncements on the virus have made him a … Currently, there are three COVID-19 vaccines given Emergency Use Authorization in the U.S. Visit our COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker to learn more. Masks are still king in combating new COVID strains. Tate Reeves announced on Tuesday that he’s lifting all state-imposed mask mandates across Mississippi and removing COVID-19 related restrictions on business operations. DENVER (AP) — Colorado’s health department is moving to relax its statewide mask … A new virus with limited data, such as the coronavirus causing COVID-19, adds to the uncertainty. Photo courtesy of Christy King. Mask wearing allows us to open the economy up faster. Fit is king when it comes to masks—and fabrics help with that . All science, including public health science, is messy. Despite the lack of scientific and intellectual rigor underlying it, this anecdote served as the rationale for many jurisdictions’ mask mandates. As with many aspects of the pandemic, mask use has become politicized which is unfortunate when it comes to public health. One of Berenson’s most critical points is that there is now substantial evidence that the coronavirus is very rarely, if ever, spread by asymptomatic individuals. As his Twitter profile famously depicts him smiling sardonically with a mask under his chin, it is about time he addressed the subject. Public health professionals believe that mask wearing and social distancing are the keys to controlling the first wave and diminishing or avoiding subsequent waves of the virus. 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