Five Important Points:
1.) Science shows masks are ineffective and can increase risk.
2.) Children at LOW RISK of severe Covid.
3.) Asymptomatic spread is rare.
4.) Masks are harmful to children.
5.) Other tools are available besides masks.
1.) Science shows masks are ineffective and can increase risk.
2.) Children at LOW RISK of severe Covid.
3.) Asymptomatic spread is rare.
4.) Masks are harmful to children.
5.) Other tools are available besides masks.
1.) Science shows masks are ineffective and can increase risk.
13 Studies Showing That Masks Are NOT Effective
1.) The study published by the NIH called A cluster randomised trial of cloth masks compared with medical masks in healthcare workers concludes that "Moisture retention, reuse of cloth masks and poor filtration may result in increased risk of infection."
2.) The study published by the CDC called Nonpharmaceutical Measures for Pandemic Influenza in Nonhealthcare Settings—Personal Protective and Environmental Measures concludes that "In pooled analysis, we found no significant reduction in influenza transmission with the use of face masks."
3.) The study published by medRxiv called Facemasks and similar barriers to prevent respiratory illness such as COVID-19: A rapid systematic review concludes that "The evidence is not sufficiently strong to support widespread use of facemasks as a protective measure against COVID-19."
4.) The study published by the NIH called "Exercise with facemask; Are we handling a devil's sword?" - A physiological hypothesis concludes that "Further contrary to the earlier thought, no evidence exists to claim the facemasks during exercise offer additional protection from the droplet transfer of the virus."
5.) The study published by medRxiv called Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. Part 1 - Face masks, eye protection and person distancing: systematic review and meta-analysis concludes that "Compared to no masks there was no reduction of influenza-like illness or influenza for masks in the general population, nor in healthcare workers."
6.) The study published by the NIH called The use of masks and respirators to prevent transmission of influenza: a systematic review of the scientific evidence concludes that "There is a limited evidence base to support the use of masks and/or respirators in healthcare or community settings."
7.) The study published by the NIH called Use of surgical face masks to reduce the incidence of the common cold among health care workers in Japan: a randomized controlled trial concludes that "Face mask use in health care workers has not been demonstrated to provide benefit in terms of cold symptoms or getting colds."
8.) The study published by Oxford Academic called Effectiveness of Masks and Respirators Against Respiratory Infections in Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis concludes that "We found no clear benefit of either medical masks or N95 respirators against pH1N1 [influenza]."
9.) The study published by Springer Link called Postoperative wound infections and surgical face masks: A controlled study concludes that "It has never been shown that wearing surgical face masks decreases postoperative wound infections."
10.) The medRxiv study called Mask mandate and use efficacy in state-level Covid19 containment concludes that "Mask mandates and use are not associated with slower state-level COVID-19 spread during COVID-19 growth surges."
11.) The study published by Oxford Academic called Simple Respiratory Protection—Evaluation of the Filtration Performance of Cloth Masks and Common Fabric Materials Against 20–1000 nm Size Particles concludes that "The penetration values obtained for common fabric materials indicate that only marginal respiratory protection can be expected for submicron particles taking into consideration face seal leakage."
12.) The study published by the NIH called Optical microscopic study of surface morphology and filtering efficiency of face masks concludes that "The findings of this study suggest that CM [cloth masks] are not effective, and that effectiveness deteriorates if used after washing and drying cycles and if used under stretched condition."
13.) The study published by Cochrane called Do physical measures such as hand-washing or wearing masks stop or slow down the spread of respiratory viruses? concludes that "Compared with wearing no mask, wearing a mask may make little to no difference in how many people caught a flu-like illness (9 studies; 3507 people)."
2.) The study published by the CDC called Nonpharmaceutical Measures for Pandemic Influenza in Nonhealthcare Settings—Personal Protective and Environmental Measures concludes that "In pooled analysis, we found no significant reduction in influenza transmission with the use of face masks."
3.) The study published by medRxiv called Facemasks and similar barriers to prevent respiratory illness such as COVID-19: A rapid systematic review concludes that "The evidence is not sufficiently strong to support widespread use of facemasks as a protective measure against COVID-19."
4.) The study published by the NIH called "Exercise with facemask; Are we handling a devil's sword?" - A physiological hypothesis concludes that "Further contrary to the earlier thought, no evidence exists to claim the facemasks during exercise offer additional protection from the droplet transfer of the virus."
5.) The study published by medRxiv called Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. Part 1 - Face masks, eye protection and person distancing: systematic review and meta-analysis concludes that "Compared to no masks there was no reduction of influenza-like illness or influenza for masks in the general population, nor in healthcare workers."
6.) The study published by the NIH called The use of masks and respirators to prevent transmission of influenza: a systematic review of the scientific evidence concludes that "There is a limited evidence base to support the use of masks and/or respirators in healthcare or community settings."
7.) The study published by the NIH called Use of surgical face masks to reduce the incidence of the common cold among health care workers in Japan: a randomized controlled trial concludes that "Face mask use in health care workers has not been demonstrated to provide benefit in terms of cold symptoms or getting colds."
8.) The study published by Oxford Academic called Effectiveness of Masks and Respirators Against Respiratory Infections in Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis concludes that "We found no clear benefit of either medical masks or N95 respirators against pH1N1 [influenza]."
9.) The study published by Springer Link called Postoperative wound infections and surgical face masks: A controlled study concludes that "It has never been shown that wearing surgical face masks decreases postoperative wound infections."
10.) The medRxiv study called Mask mandate and use efficacy in state-level Covid19 containment concludes that "Mask mandates and use are not associated with slower state-level COVID-19 spread during COVID-19 growth surges."
11.) The study published by Oxford Academic called Simple Respiratory Protection—Evaluation of the Filtration Performance of Cloth Masks and Common Fabric Materials Against 20–1000 nm Size Particles concludes that "The penetration values obtained for common fabric materials indicate that only marginal respiratory protection can be expected for submicron particles taking into consideration face seal leakage."
12.) The study published by the NIH called Optical microscopic study of surface morphology and filtering efficiency of face masks concludes that "The findings of this study suggest that CM [cloth masks] are not effective, and that effectiveness deteriorates if used after washing and drying cycles and if used under stretched condition."
13.) The study published by Cochrane called Do physical measures such as hand-washing or wearing masks stop or slow down the spread of respiratory viruses? concludes that "Compared with wearing no mask, wearing a mask may make little to no difference in how many people caught a flu-like illness (9 studies; 3507 people)."
Conclusion: Masks are ineffective at preventing the spread of Covid.
2.) Children at LOW RISK of severe Covid.
The image below, from the CDC website, shows hospitalization rates for those people over age 18 compared to school-age children ages 5-17. The lower line is children. The rate of hospitalization caused by severe Covid among children is close to zero.
The image below, from the CDC website, shows hospitalization rates for those people over age 18 compared to school-age children ages 5-17. The lower line is children. The rate of hospitalization caused by severe Covid among children is close to zero.
The next image shows cumulative hospitalization, from the CDC website, since the beginning of the pandemic. The lower line shows that the cumulative hospitalization rate is nearly 20 times higher for adults than for children.
According to a study published by MedRxiv called Risk of Hospitalization, severe disease, and mortality due to COVID-10 and PIMS-TS in children with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Germany, "Overall, the SARS-CoV-2-associated burden of a severe disease course or death in children and adolescents is low."
Conclusion: Children are at LOW RISK of severe Covid.
3.) Asymptomatic spread is very rare (highly important).
The journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a study, by lead author Zachary Madewell, entitiled Household Transmission of SARS-CoV-2A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. The study shows that the asymptomatic secondary attack rate of SARS-CoV-2 within a household is 0.7%. This compares to the symptomatic secondary attack rate of 18.0% within a household. A symptomatic person is over 25 times more likely to transmit the virus than an asymptomatic person. An asymptomatic person has a near-zero rate of spreading the virus. Masks are not necessary for asymptomatic people.
Critical Points:
a.) If a child is not infected they have a zero percent chance of infecting others. No mask necessary.
b.) If a child is asymptomatic they have a near-zero rate of infecting others. No mask necessary.
c.) We are making all asymptomatic children wear a mask when they all have a near-zero chance of infecting others.
d.) If a child has symptoms, keep them home and get them tested. Don't force all asymptomatic children to wear a mask when they have near-zero chance of spreading of the virus.
a.) If a child is not infected they have a zero percent chance of infecting others. No mask necessary.
b.) If a child is asymptomatic they have a near-zero rate of infecting others. No mask necessary.
c.) We are making all asymptomatic children wear a mask when they all have a near-zero chance of infecting others.
d.) If a child has symptoms, keep them home and get them tested. Don't force all asymptomatic children to wear a mask when they have near-zero chance of spreading of the virus.
4.) Masks are harmful to children.
The NIH published the largest study of its kind called Corona child studies "Co-Ki": first results of a Germany-wide register on mouth and nose covering (mask) in children, in which a large group of parents submitted data on their 25,930 mask-wearing children. "Of the respondents 68% reported that children complained about impairments caused by wearing the mask." Side effects of the mask-wearing included:
a.) irritability 68%
b.) headache 53%
c.) difficulty concentrating 50%
d.) less happiness 49%
e.) reluctance to go to school 44%
f.) malaise 42%
g.)impaired learning 38%
h.) drowsiness/fatigue 37%
a.) irritability 68%
b.) headache 53%
c.) difficulty concentrating 50%
d.) less happiness 49%
e.) reluctance to go to school 44%
f.) malaise 42%
g.)impaired learning 38%
h.) drowsiness/fatigue 37%
5.) Other tools are available besides masks.
There is concern that children could infect grandparents or parents.
a.) As stated above, if a child is asymptomatic they have a near-zero percent chance of infecting grandparents or parents in a household.
b.) Grandparents and parents have the option of being vaccinated to reduce their risk of severe Covid if exposed to an infected child rather than force children to wear masks.
c.) Grandparents have the option to remain socially distant from children as they do not typically live in the same household.
d.) Grandparents, parents, teachers, and other students have the option to voluntarily wear a mask if they choose to, even if there is no mandate.
e.) According to the CDC, "Having obesity may triple the risk of hospitalization due to a COVID-19 infection." According to the NIH, smokers "were twice as likely to be hospitalized for Covid-19". According to an NIH published study "The datasets provide strong evidence that low [vitamin] D3 is a predictor rather than just a side effect of the infection."
f.) Several proven Covid treatment protocols are readily available to treat children at home who may experience symptoms. The Frontline Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance provides proven treatment for Covid-19 worldwide (see below). Therefore, grandparents and parents have the option to get vaccinated, reduce body weight, quit smoking, wear a non-mandated mask, utilize proven treatments, and maintain doctor recommended vitamin D3 levels in order to reduce their own risk so that children are not forced to wear mandated masks. Adults have a responsibility to protect children from mask mandates.
b.) Grandparents and parents have the option of being vaccinated to reduce their risk of severe Covid if exposed to an infected child rather than force children to wear masks.
c.) Grandparents have the option to remain socially distant from children as they do not typically live in the same household.
d.) Grandparents, parents, teachers, and other students have the option to voluntarily wear a mask if they choose to, even if there is no mandate.
e.) According to the CDC, "Having obesity may triple the risk of hospitalization due to a COVID-19 infection." According to the NIH, smokers "were twice as likely to be hospitalized for Covid-19". According to an NIH published study "The datasets provide strong evidence that low [vitamin] D3 is a predictor rather than just a side effect of the infection."
f.) Several proven Covid treatment protocols are readily available to treat children at home who may experience symptoms. The Frontline Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance provides proven treatment for Covid-19 worldwide (see below). Therefore, grandparents and parents have the option to get vaccinated, reduce body weight, quit smoking, wear a non-mandated mask, utilize proven treatments, and maintain doctor recommended vitamin D3 levels in order to reduce their own risk so that children are not forced to wear mandated masks. Adults have a responsibility to protect children from mask mandates.