It's getting harder to know which "experts" to believe these days. https://www.sciencetimes.com/articl...ful-trap-exhaled-viruses-well-individuals.htm Staff ReporterMay 18, 2020 12:17 AM EDT Dr. Russell Blaylock, a retired U.S. neurosurgeon and author, cautions that face masks cannot entirely protect you from getting sick and catching pathogens. He adds that it can also pose a serious health risk for wearers. He stresses that only ill people should wear face masks. Since the coronavirus pandemic started, people everywhere have been wearing protective equipment such as face masks, face shields, and gloves. Wearing gloves in public places such as the grocery had been previously debunked as 'unhelpful' or possibly harmful, especially if not used properly. Are Face Masks Effective Against COVID-19? The Cleveland Clinic says that gloves do not provide immunity from viruses, and it doesn't permit you to touch everything within reach. Furthermore, germs that come in contact with your gloves could be transferred to all the other surfaces you touch. Now, even face masks face the same critique as Dr. Blaylock says that exhaled viruses would not be given a chance to escape if wearing a mask. He says that the virus would further concentrate and circulate within the nasal passages and could eventually travel into the brain. According to Dr. Blaylock, there have been no studies conducted to establish that either a cloth mask or the N95 mask has an impact on the transmission of the coronavirus. It was not until recently that the Commission on Disease Control and Prevention changed its guidelines for wearing face masks. Previously, they only advised sick people to wear protective masks, but now they encourage everyone to wear them when out in public since it has been found out that some could be asymptomatic carriers of the virus. The CDC also has guidelines for wearing cloth masks to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Also Read: Face Mask that Lights Up When it Senses Coronavirus: A Possible Alternative for Antibody Tests and Temperature Checks Harmful Effects of Wearing a Face Mask Aside from the lack of scientific evidence pointing to requiring the use of a face mask for preventive measures, several studies have explored the dangers of wearing a face mask, especially for long periods. These dangers include increased airway resistance, accumulation of carbon dioxide, hypoxia or inadequate oxygen supply, headaches, and even other life-threatening complications. In a study conducted by the National Taiwan University Hospital, it has been found that the use of N-95 masks in healthcare workers has caused them to experience hypoxemia, the low level of oxygen in the blood, and hypercapnia, an elevation in the blood's carbon dioxide levels. Another study reported findings of headache in health professionals using the same protective face mask. Similarly, pregnant women wearing N-95 masks were also found to have breathing difficulties associated with the use of the mask. Researchers suggest that the benefits of using N95 masks to prevent contraction of infectious diseases should be weighed against possible respiratory consequences linked with extended use of N95 masks. Newer evidence also reveals that the coronavirus may enter the brain in some cases. By wearing a mask, viruses released upon expiration will not be given a chance to escape and will further congregate in the nasal passages. This allows the virus to enter the olfactory nerves and travel further, eventually reaching the brain. Dr. Blaylock says that one should not attack or criticize healthy people who do not wear masks, as studies point out that it may be a wise choice after all. Read Also: Austria Has 90% Drop in Coronavirus Cases After Requiring People to Wear Face Masks
According to wiki, wearing face masks in (highly dense populations) assists. COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong This article documents an ongoing situation relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The article may change rapidly as information becomes available, and not all information cited may be accurate. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. Please refer to your local government for the latest advice and information pertaining to a specific location. The COVID-19 pandemic was first confirmed to have spread to Hong Kong on 23 January 2020.[1] Confirmed cases were generally transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital's Infectious Disease Centre for isolation and centralised treatment. On 5 February, only after a four-day strike by front-line medical workers did the Hong Kong government close all but three border control points – Hong Kong International Airport, Shenzhen Bay Control Point, and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Control Point remaining open. As of 17 May 2020, Hong Kong had 1,056 confirmed cases, 1,024 recovered cases (including 1 probable case) and four death cases. COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong Disease COVID-19 Virus strain SARS-CoV-2 Location Hong Kong First outbreak Wuhan, Hubei, China Arrival date 23 January 2020 (3 months, 3 weeks and 4 days) Confirmed cases 1,056 Suspected cases‡ 1 Recovered 1,025 Deaths 4 Official website chp-dashboard.geodata.gov.hk/covid-19/en.html ‡Suspected cases have not been confirmed as being due to this strain by laboratory tests, although some other strains may have been ruled out. Hong Kong was relatively unscathed by the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak and had a flatter epidemic curve than most other places, which observers consider remarkable given its status as an international transport hub. Furthermore, its proximity to China and its millions of mainland visitors annually would make it vulnerable.[2] Some experts now believe the habit of wearing masks in public since the SARS epidemic of 2003 may have helped keep its confirmed infections at 845, with four deaths, by the beginning of April.[2] In a study published in April 2020 in the Lancet, the authors expressed their belief that border restrictions, quarantine and isolation, social distancing, and behavioural changes such as wearing masks likely all played a part in the containment of the disease up to the end of March.[3] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_in_Hong_Kong
Dr. Blaylock might be related to common waterfowl, but LSU School of Medicine is ranked well. https://med-colleges.com/louisiana-state-university-health-sciences-center Based on 67 evaluation factors, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans medical program ranks #119 Medical School (out of 3168; top 5%) in USA and The Second Best Medical School in Louisiana. Major competitors for this college are Tulane University of Louisiana in New Orleans and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. See the details about all twelve competitors and list of offered medical majors and minors below.
Look at South Korea and Japan where wearing a face mask has been the practice for sometime. I guess having dealt with past viruses like Sars before educated them on what works. Their infection and death rates, far far lower than most countries. Also, why are doctors and nurses wearing masks in the first place, if they are no good?
I've never met a surgeon that knows anything about cell-met. They know what they need to know... which is A&P related to their specialty.
I doubt wearing a mask during normal daily activities poses much of a health risk, but what about exercise, especially intense cardio exercises? That would seem to be problematic, especially for the elderly or terribly out of shape, which is a half of the gym population. I expect we'll find out soon enough when planet fitness opens up and all those treadmills and ellipticals get rolling and people are wearing masks.
In China there is a new directive for PE classes in schools: during outdoor cardio exercises such as running do children have to remove their masks. This directive was installed after a few kids dropped dead while doing running exercises on an outdoor track while wearing masks. The exact reason why these children died is not known, but it is thought that a shortage in oxygen, or a surplus in carbon-dioxide might be the reason: no proper airflow due to the mask.
I think I'll wait a while longer: https://www.vox.com/2020/4/29/21238880/gyms-reopening-georgia-coronavirus-risk https://www.businessinsider.com/dan...to-outbreak-coronavirus-in-south-korea-2020-5 https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2020/...us-working-out-group-fitness-barrys-soulcycle