The Science is Conclusive: Masks and Respirators do NOT Prevent Transmission of Viruses

Abstract

Masks and respirators do not work. There have been extensive randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies, and meta-analysis reviews of RCT studies, which all show that masks and respirators do not work to prevent respiratory influenza-like illnesses, or respiratory illnesses believed to be transmitted by droplets and aerosol particles.

Furthermore, the relevant known physics and biology, which I review, are such that masks and respirators should not work. It would be a paradox if masks and respirators worked, given what we know about viral respiratory diseases: The main transmission path is long-residence-time aerosol particles (< 2.5 μm), which are too fine to be blocked, and the minimum-infective-dose is smaller than one aerosol particle.

The present paper about masks illustrates the degree to which governments, the mainstream media, and institutional propagandists can decide to operate in a science vacuum, or select only incomplete science that serves their interests. Such recklessness is also certainly the case with the current global lockdown of over 1 billion people, an unprecedented experiment in medical and political history.

Review of the Medical Literature

Here are key anchor points to the extensive scientific literature that establishes that wearing surgical masks and respirators (e.g., "N95") does not reduce the risk of contracting a verified illness:

Jacobs, J. L. et al. (2009) "Use of surgical face masks to reduce the incidence of the common cold among health care workers in Japan: A randomized controlled trial", American Journal of Infection Control, Volume 37, Issue 5, 417 - 419.

N95-masked health-care workers (HCW) were significantly more likely to experience headaches. Face mask use in HCW was not demonstrated to provide benefit in terms of cold symptoms or getting colds.

Cowling, B. et al. (2010) "Face masks to prevent transmission of influenza virus: A systematic review", Epidemiology and Infection, 138(4), 449-456. doi:10.1017/S0950268809991658

None of the studies reviewed showed a benefit from wearing a mask, in either HCW or community members in households (H). See summary Tables 1 and 2 therein.

bin-Reza et al. (2012) "The use of masks and respirators to prevent transmission of influenza: a systematic review of the scientific evidence", Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(4), 257-267.

"There were 17 eligible studies. […] None of the studies established a conclusive relationship between mask ⁄ respirator use and protection against influenza infection."

Smith, J.D. et al. (2016) "Effectiveness of N95 respirators versus surgical masks in protecting health care workers from acute respiratory infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis", CMAJ Mar 2016, cmaj.150835; DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.150835

"We identified 6 clinical studies … In the meta-analysis of the clinical studies, we found no significant difference between N95 respirators and surgical masks in associated risk of (a) laboratory-confirmed respiratory infection, (b) influenza-like illness, or (c) reported work-place absenteeism."

Offeddu, V. et al. (2017) "Effectiveness of Masks and Respirators Against Respiratory Infections in Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis", Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 65, Issue 11, 1 December 2017, Pages 1934-1942, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/cix681

"Self-reported assessment of clinical outcomes was prone to bias. Evidence of a protective effect of masks or respirators against verified respiratory infection (VRI) was not statistically significant"; as per Fig. 2c therein:

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https://www.sott.net/article/434796-The-Science-is-Conclusive-Masks-and-Respirators-do-NOT-Prevent-Transmission-of-Viruses

Trump Proven Right Again! Mail Carrier Charged in West Virginia Voter Fraud Case in Connection with Manipulation of Absentee Ballot Requests

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell and Secretary of State Mac Warner announced a criminal charge against a rural mail carrier Tuesday in a voter fraud case related to absentee ballot requests.

President Trump recently accused the Democrats of using the Coronavirus as a vehicle to rig the election with mail-in voting. “Trying to use Covid for this scam!”

On Tuesday morning, President Trump said “There is NO WAY (ZERO) that mail-in ballots will be anything less than fraudulent. Mail boxes will be robbed, ballots will be forged & even illegally printed out & fraudulently signed.”

Twitter is running “fact-checks” on the president’s tweets in support of mail-in voting by linking to fake news CNN and WaPo.

But Trump is absolutely correct.

Within hours of Trump’s tweet, it was reported that Thomas Cooper, 47, of Dry Fork, was charged with attempting to defraud the residents of West Virginia of a fair election.

According to the West Virginia Attorney General, Cooper fraudulently altered 8 absentee ballot requests in Pendleton County by changing the party affiliation from Democrat to Republican.

Secretary of State Warner said, “We want everyone to be tuned into the increased opportunities for fraud. Voting absentee makes it easy to vote, but increases opportunities for irregularities and fraud to occur. If you see something, say something.”

How many other mail carriers have also fraudulently altered absentee ballot requests??

Twitter even added a “fact check” to Trump’s tweet on mail-in ballot fraud.

Amazon Won't Allow a Negative Review of Toilet Paper From China

Toilet paper from China wouldn’t even have been a product to contemplate in the before-times. Back when people could buy goods and services, in exchange for paper representing currency. Amazon could fulfill any order any time. Back in the before-times. Then came the lockdowns in response to the CCP coronavirus pandemic, and life as we knew it ceased. Lots of people engaged in panic shopping.

Toilet paper was, inexplicably, one of the first products to experience shortages, and it’s still not fully back in stock on store shelves two months later. Some folks got out ahead of the curve and ordered it online. There was so much panic buying, however, that even Amazon experienced delays and shortages. Some orders for things in short supply, like toilet paper, are only now being fulfilled. What customers have received has not always matched the product description. In fact, toilet paper from China is being substituted for Charmin or Angel Soft, and the reviews leave a lot to be desired.

STOP Hoarding Toilet Paper, You Sick Freaks! TP Will Not Save You From Coronavirus

A friend of mine posted this on social media:

So I’ll share a story. When all this craziness started and the run on TP began, I decided to order some safety stock of toilet paper from Amazon. I ordered a 20 pack of toilet paper.

Wait time was going to be long, but no big deal since I already had a bunch of toilet paper here. No doubt, the stuff was coming from China.

Well, it finally arrived on Saturday.

And THIS is what I got. (ETA- that’s a normal American roll of toilet paper on top. Scamming Chinese crap on the bottom)

Needless to say, I was pretty salty.

The picture of the product versus expectation says it all:

https://pjmedia.com/culture/jeff-reynolds/2020/05/26/amazon-wont-allow-a-negative-review-of-toilet-paper-from-china-n428965

Threat of ‘civil war’ sent to Tri-County Health Department, police say

Police are protecting Tri-County Health Department after officials there received a threat that there’d be “civil war” if they didn’t lift stay-home orders.

https://ncrenegade.com/editorial/threat-of-civil-war-sent-to-tri-county-health-department-police-say/

India Expands Use Of HCQ To Prevent Coronavirus Based On Three Studies

India will continue using hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as a preventative measure against COVID-19, after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) declared on Tuesday that the drug was found to be very effective with minimal side effects for prophylaxis.

The ICMR's decision was based on three studies they conducted, which resulted in a Friday advisory to expand the drug's use, according to ThePrint.

Speaking at a Tuesday press conference, ICMR Director General Dr. Balram Bhargava said "COVID-19 is an evolving field. We don’t know which medicines are working and which are not. There are lots of drugs that have been repurposed for use in COVID whether prophylaxis or as treatment. HCQ is a very old anti-malarial drug that was being widely used and it continues to be widely used. It is safer."

"We did some invitro study in labs and found that it has antiviral properties. This drug became suddenly popular when the American government also started using it and they got-fast track approval or emergency use authorisation. We also thought that it may be a useful drug for prevention of COVID," he added.

https://www.zerohedge.com/health/india-expands-use-hcq-prevent-coronavirus-based-three-studies