On Jan 11, 2020, officials from Wuhan China post a novel coronavirus pneumonia update, and "researchers" first released the genetic sequence of the sars cov 2 virus.
However, at the time that the PCR test was developed, there were no covid isolates available. So the CDC and "test" manufacturers used the common cold/flu to produce the test. Which means that the test is actually looking for gene sequences in the common cold, and even if those are detected, that does not prove said gene sequence is actually causing sickness of any type.
"Since no quantified virus isolates of the 2019-nCoV were available for CDC use at the time the test was developed and this study conducted, assays designed for detection of the 2019-nCoV RNA were tested with characterized stocks of in vitro transcribed full length RNA (N gene; GenBank accession: MN908947.2) of known titer (RNA copies/μL) spiked into a diluent consisting of a suspension of human A549 cells and viral transport medium (VTM) to mimic clinical specimen." [1]
The virus was never isolated in the first place. It was simply uploaded into a computer and days later scientists announced they had a vaccine in development and possibly almost finished. These "vaccines," if we can even call them that, use mRNA gene sequencing operating systems to supposedly train the immune system into a creating a spike protein. No longterm safety trials have ever been conducted on humans to date, for these novel coronavirus vaccines.
And now many governments, businesses, and corporations are attempting to force an experimental medical procedure on a population that has been largely brainwashed by the media into believing a novel coronavirus exists (when said virus seems to only exist in a computer model)?
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic. This is a non elected organization funded largely by governments around the world. While there are many conflicts of interest surrounding the World Health Organization, including partnerships with media conglomerates and vaccine, pharma manufacturers, it turns out that the entire premise of declaring a pandemic was based on a non-scientific facade.
The Pandemic was declared, and continues to this day (August of 2021), based upon the idea that a PCR test can be used to diagnose an infectious disease. This is false, because the PCR test cannot measure quantities and thus concentrations of any contagion. It can only give a simple yes or no, true or false result for a match on a specific genetic sequence. It is incredibly important to know concentrations of a contagion, because the simple presence of a single molecule does not prove the host is sick with anything.
Kary Mullis, inventor of the PCR test, said it himself: it [the PCR test] starts making you believe in the buddhist notion that "everything is in everything." What he means by this is that if you amplify the sample enough times you can essentially find a trace of anything within anything.
Kary Mullis also went on to state that the PCR test is not suitable for diagnosing infectious disease. It's just not designed to do that. PCR essentially amplifies a sample every cycle by 2x. At the height of the supposed pandemic, many authorities were amplifying 35 cycles, which even Dr Fauci, a major progenator and benefactor of the pandemic, admitted "the chances of a virus being replication competetant at 35 cycles is miniscule."
Again, to reiterate, simply finding a piece of genetic material in an otherwise perfectly healthy person, or a person who is simply sick, does not prove causation. One would need to prove that a single detected fragment of RNA (the supposed virus) caused the infection. And as stated earlier, the virus was never isolated in the first place. So if the virus was never isolated in the first place, how could one establish a causal relationship between the presence of a single fragment of RNA and an otherwise healthy individual, or a sick person?
To make matters worse, many of the supposed cases being listed as "covid 19" were simply marked as being "covid" without ever having any test at all, be it faulty or not.
Funeral home directors were stating that every single death was marked as covid for the sheer convenience of coroners not needing to do as much work, when they could write covid on every certificate and be done with it.
Hospitals were also given large sums of money by the US government for every death, hospitalization, or intubation, with reason listed as covid. This obviously presents a conflict of interest, especially during a time when hospitals were struggling and laying off staff, sometimes even closing due to the fact that all elective procedures and even things like cancer and heart surgeries were put on hold, due to a supposed pandemic.
To this day, no reference samples of the supposed virus are available to researchers. The only thing that's available is a genetic sequence in a computer model.
Recently, the FDA pulled authorization for use of the PCR tests widely used in the united states and around the world throughout the pandemic. Even stranger still, is the revelation that since no isolates of the virus were available, researchers developing the PCR test used genetic sequence from another coronavirus, the common cold.
So essentially, these tests were testing for fragments of the common cold. It should be obvious that almost everyone around the world is going to have at least one fragment of RNA from a cold virus in their system, since most of have had a cold sometime in our lives.
[1] https://hexagod.net/scamdemic/sources/EUA-CDC-Panel-IFU.pdf
https://www.fda.gov/media/134922/download (page 40)
Their website is here - https://swprs.org/face-masks-evidence/
Donations to SWPRS.ORG - https://swprs.org/donations/
Archive - https://archive.is/Awo5X
Cloth face masks in the general population might be effective, at least in some circumstances, but there is currently little to no evidence supporting this proposition. If the coronavirus is indeed transmitted via indoor aerosols, cloth masks are unlikely to be protective. Health authorities should therefore not assume or suggest that cloth face masks will reduce the rate or risk of infection.
================
Research
So far, most studies found little to no evidence for the effectiveness of cloth face masks in the general population, neither as personal protective equipment nor as a source control.
[1] https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/5/19-0994_article
Archive - https://archive.is/PTi7D
[2] https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-6817
Archive - https://archive.is/Tajg9
[3] https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0240287
Archive - https://archive.is/WpzAI
[4] https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/covid-19-face-masks-community-first-update.pdf
Archive - https://hexagod.net/pdfs/archive/covid-19-face-masks-community-first-update.pdf
[5] https://www.cebm.net/covid-19/masking-lack-of-evidence-with-politics/
Archive - https://archive.is/36jag
[6] https://www.cochrane.org/CD006207/ARI_do-physical-measures-such-hand-washing-or-wearing-masks-stop-or-slow-down-spread-respiratory-viruses
Archive - https://archive.is/Ipmdd
[7] https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/04/commentary-masks-all-covid-19-not-based-sound-data
Archive - https://archive.is/nrc6c
[8] https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2006372
Archive - https://archive.is/sXfd1
[9] https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577
Archive - https://archive.is/rdlpp
[10] https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/html/10.1055/a-1174-6591
Archive - https://archive.is/kS1NH
=============
In many states, coronavirus infections strongly increased after mask mandates had been introduced. The following charts show the typical examples of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, the UK, California and Hawaii. Furthermore, a direct comparison between US states with and without mask mandates indicates that mask mandates have made no difference.
Mask mandates and coronavirus infections (Source: Yinon Weiss)
Link - https://twitter.com/yinonw/status/1321177359601393664
Archive - https://archive.is/1CvdU
=============
In January 2021, the German state of Bavaria was one of the first places in the world to mandate N95/FFP2 masks in most public settings. A comparison with other German states, which required cloth or medical masks, indicates that N95/FFP2 masks made no difference.
"Covid" (the flu19) cases in Bavaria (FFP2/N95 mandate) vs. Germany overall (ARD/RKI/DaFeid)
Link - https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/coronavirus-karte-deutschland-101.html
Archive - https://archive.is/aHGAJ
==============
[1] https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaa939/5867798
Archive - https://archive.is/oyXHl
[2] https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577
Archive - https://archive.is/rdlpp
[3] https://swprs.org/who-mask-study-seriously-flawed/
Archive - https://archive.is/sgFEm
[4] https://twitter.com/deb_cohen/status/1282244773030633473
Archive - https://archive.is/YVJ0Y
[5] https://swprs.org/the-suppressed-danish-mask-study/
Archive - https://archive.is/7BEic
[6] https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6936a5-H.pdf#page=4
[7] https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2030886
Archive - https://archive.is/8PSdy
[8] https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2019/02/01/Millions-in-Japan-affected-as-flu-outbreak-grips-country/9191549043797/
Archive - https://archive.is/MfFvo
[9] https://sentinelksmo.org/more-deception-kdhe-hid-data-to-justify-mask-mandate/
Archive - https://archive.is/quIGh
[10] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01658736
Archive - https://archive.is/ALysm
[11] https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/04/02/everyone-wore-masks-during-1918-flu-pandemic-they-were-useless/
Archive - https://archive.is/sD6Nb
[12] https://swprs.org/the-zero-covid-countries/
Archive - https://archive.is/41A0Z
[13] https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidnikel/2020/05/08/denmark-norway-relax-coronavirus-restrictions-but-borders-remain-closed/
Archive - https://archive.is/uXxdn
================
Wearing masks for a prolonged period of time is not harmless, as the following evidence shows:
[1] https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak
Archive - https://archive.is/zJqMq
[2] https://science.orf.at/stories/3201213/
Archive - https://archive.is/YrXXS
[3] https://corona-transition.org/der-maskenzwang-ist-verantwortlich-fur-schwere-psychische-schaden-und-die
Archive - https://archive.is/uV7FY
[4] https://corona-transition.org/maskentragen-noch-ungesunder-als-gedacht
Archive - https://archive.is/72YpB
[5] https://corona-transition.org/maskentragen-noch-ungesunder-als-gedacht
Archive - https://archive.is/72YpB
[6] https://corona-transition.org/13-jahrige-maskentragerin-stirbt
Archive - https://archive.is/CDQd1
[7] https://corona-transition.org/zweites-kind-wegen-maskentragen-gestorben
Archive - https://archive.is/CDQd1
[8] https://www.thoughtco.com/carbon-dioxide-poisoning-608396
Archive - https://archive.is/Tkqo7
[9] https://www.thatsmags.com/china/post/31100/student-deaths-lead-schools-to-adjust-rules-on-masks-while-exercising
Archive - https://archive.is/UZyQ4
[10] https://nypost.com/2020/04/24/driver-crashes-car-after-passing-out-from-wearing-n95-mask/
Archive - https://archive.is/aFquN
======== (Moved to end because face diapers do nothing other than kill you) ======
Some recent studies argued that cloth face masks are indeed effective against the (flu19) "new" coronavirus and could at least prevent the infection of other people. However, most of these studies suffer from poor methodology and sometimes show the opposite of what they claim to show.
Typically, these studies ignore the effect of other measures, the natural development of infection rates, changes in test activity, or they compare places with different epidemiological conditions. Studies performed in a lab or as a computer simulation often aren’t applicable to the real world.
An overview:
Go to https://swprs.org/face-masks-evidence/ to get these studies.
It's not worth the editor's time to bother getting these sources when we've evolved for over 100,000 years to not need a face diaper for our immune systems to work.
======
Another collation of mask studies (see also) - https://hexagod.net/masks_detail_studies.html
For the hyperlinks in this paper - https://hexagod.net/masks_swprs.html
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Although it is always possible to avoid them, face masks are "mandatory" in many areas. Interestingly enough, humans have evolved for hundreds of thousands of years to have completely smooth breathing paths. Note that no mammal has fur inside its mouth. Almost every living breathing (o2 exchanging) animal has a clear breathing path.
Therefore, it stands to reason that breathing obstructions are likely dangerous, harmful, and antithetical to our overall pattern of evolution. One might respond that we have also evolved to not have fur, but that is not essential either, unless the human is in a very cold climate. Even in animals that have fur, it notably stops around the mouth.
How have humans evolved for hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of years to not need masks? If they were essential for our biological immune system, then why were they not required sooner? Remember that even clothes are not essential, and they also act as optional and modular depending on the climate and social requirements. Most mammals do have fur; it just varies depending on the average temperature of their environment, and it never obstructs their breathing.
Also, a large part of human communication is conveyed through non-verbal facial cues. An example of this would be a response of a smile or a frown, and the even more subtle facial expression responses while communicating with other humans.
5 NIH/National Library of Medicine studies from 2004-2020 all finding verifiable health effects from wearing a face mask, including scientifically verified reduction is blood oxygen level:
=>
"Dyspnea variation was significantly higher with surgical mask (+5.6 vs. +4.6; P<0.001) and the difference was clinically relevant."
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Dyspnea is 'shortness of breath' or a person having trouble breathing]
Link - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29395560/
Archive - https://archive.is/Y7wwb#selection-2221.62-2221.193
==================
"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. "
Link - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32590322/
Archive - https://archive.is/bWbIR#selection-2181.1049-2181.1216
==================
"Wearing an N95 mask for 4 hours during HD significantly reduced PaO2 and increased respiratory adverse effects in ESRD patients. "
Link - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15340662/
Archive - https://archive.is/Nlwkc#selection-2085.14-2085.147
================
" Breathing through N95 mask materials have been shown to impede gaseous exchange and impose an additional workload on the metabolic system of pregnant healthcare workers, and this needs to be taken into consideration in guidelines for respirator use. "
Link - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26579222/
Archive - https://archive.is/Kdxh7#selection-2589.23-2591.264
=================
"Respiratory pathogens on the outer surface of the used medical masks may result in self-contamination."
Link - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31159777/
Archive - https://archive.is/W2cuN
==================
"This study is the first RCT of cloth masks, and the results caution against the use of cloth masks. This is an important finding to inform occupational health and safety. Moisture retention, reuse of cloth masks and poor filtration may result in increased risk of infection. Further research is needed to inform the widespread use of cloth masks globally."
Link - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4420971/
Archive - https://archive.is/MHIFH
==================
"The evidence is not sufficiently strong to support widespread use of facemasks as a protective measure against COVID-19."
Link - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.01.20049528v1
Archive - https://archive.is/OpVAB
=====================
"Compared to no masks there was no reduction of influenza-like illness (ILI) cases (Risk Ratio 0.93, 95%CI 0.83 to 1.05) or influenza (Risk Ratio 0.84, 95%CI 0.61-1.17) for masks in the general population, nor in healthcare workers (Risk Ratio 0.37, 95%CI 0.05 to 2.50). "
Link - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.30.20047217v2
Archive - https://archive.is/3jUOF#selection-1339.1292-1339.1562
==================
"We know that wearing a mask outside health care facilities offers little, if any, protection from infection."
Link - https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2006372
Archive - https://archive.is/sXfd1
==================
Question Is the use of N95 respirators or medical masks more effective in preventing influenza infection among outpatient health care personnel in close contact with patients with suspected respiratory illness?
Findings In this pragmatic, cluster randomized clinical trial involving 2862 health care personnel, there was no significant difference in the incidence of laboratory-confirmed influenza among health care personnel with the use of N95 respirators (8.2%) vs medical masks (7.2%).
Meaning As worn by health care personnel in this trial, use of N95 respirators, compared with medical masks, in the outpatient setting resulted in no significant difference in the rates of laboratory-confirmed influenza.
Link - https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2749214
Archive - https://archive.is/KYAba
=================
Background: Conflicting recommendations exist related to which facial protection should be used by health care workers to prevent transmission of acute respiratory infections, including pandemic influenza. We performed a systematic review of both clinical and surrogate exposure data comparing N95 respirators and surgical masks for the prevention of transmissible acute respiratory infections.
Methods: We searched various electronic databases and the grey literature for relevant studies published from January 1990 to December 2014. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies and case–control studies that included data on health care workers wearing N95 respirators and surgical masks to prevent acute respiratory infections were included in the meta-analysis.
Results: We identified 6 clinical studies (3 RCTs, 1 cohort study and 2 case–control studies) and 23 surrogate exposure 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 (RCTs: odds ratio [OR] 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64–1.24; cohort study: OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.03–6.41; case–control studies: OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.25–3.36); (b) influenza-like illness (RCTs: OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.19–1.41); or (c) reported workplace absenteeism (RCT: OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.57–1.50).
- https://www.cmaj.ca/content/188/8/567 -
===================
Discussion
None of the studies we reviewed established a conclusive relationship between mask/respirator use and protection against influenza infection.
Link - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5779801/
Archive - https://archive.is/TDeD4
===================
Background: Health care workers outside surgical suites in Asia use surgical-type face masks commonly. Prevention of upper respiratory infection is one reason given, although evidence of effectiveness is lacking.
Methods: Health care workers in a tertiary care hospital in Japan were randomized into 2 groups: 1 that wore face masks and 1 that did not. They provided information about demographics, health habits, and quality of life. Participants recorded symptoms daily for 77 consecutive days, starting in January 2008. Presence of a cold was determined based on a previously validated measure of self-reported symptoms. The number of colds between groups was compared, as were risk factors for experiencing cold symptoms.
Results: Thirty-two health care workers completed the study, resulting in 2464 subject days. There were 2 colds during this time period, 1 in each group. Of the 8 symptoms recorded daily, subjects in the mask group were significantly more likely to experience headache during the study period (P < .05). Subjects living with children were more likely to have high cold severity scores over the course of the study.
Conclusion: Face mask use in health care workers has not been demonstrated to provide benefit in terms of cold symptoms or getting colds. A larger study is needed to definitively establish noninferiority of no mask use.
Link - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19216002/
Archive - https://archive.is/1Hzxa
=================
Conclusion
Medical masks show no significant differences in penetration and pressure drop between inward tests (which mimic inhalation) and outward tests (which mimic exhalation). General masks and handkerchiefs have no protection function in terms of the aerosol filtration efficiency.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Aerosol droplets are how respiratory viruses spread]
Link - https://aaqr.org/articles/aaqr-13-06-oa-0201.pdf
Archive - https://hexagod.net/pdfs/archive/aaqr-13-06-oa-0201.pdf
===================
Conclusions
This study is the first RCT of cloth masks, and the results caution against the use of cloth masks. This is an important finding to inform occupational health and safety. Moisture retention, reuse of cloth masks and poor filtration may result in increased risk of infection. Further research is needed to inform the widespread use of cloth masks globally. However, as a precautionary measure, cloth masks should not be recommended for HCWs, particularly in high-risk situations, and guidelines need to be updated.
Link - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4420971/
Archive - https://archive.is/MHIFH
====================
Conclusion
This systematic review and meta-analysis supports the use of respiratory protection. However, the existing evidence is sparse and findings are inconsistent within and across studies.
Link - https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/65/11/1934/4068747
Archive - https://archive.is/NghAW
=====================
Conclusion
In this study, we compared the filter efficiencies of medical nonwoven fabrics using aerosols containing three test microbes: the phi-X174 phage, influenza virus, and S. aureus. Among the three types of spherical microbe particles, the filter efficiency against influenza virus particles (particle diameter of approximately 120 nm determined by DLS) was the lowest, and that against the phi-X174 phage (approximately 28 nm)was the highest for both sample 1 and 2. These find-ings suggest that the result of filter efficiency tests using the phi-X174 phage could be overestimated, compared with the filter efficiency against real pathogens such as the influenza virus.
Link - https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bio/23/2/23_61/_pdf/-char/en
Archive - https://archive.is/ejDNN
====================
Abstract
It has never been shown that wearing surgical face masks decreases postoperative wound infections. On the contrary, a 50% decrease has been reported after omitting face masks. The present study was designed to reveal any 30% or greater difference in general surgery wound infection rates by using face masks or not.
Link - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01658736
Archive - https://archive.is/ALysm
======================
Abstract
Following the commissioning of a new suite of operating rooms air movement studies showed a flow of air away from the operating table towards the periphery of the room. Oral microbial flora dispersed by unmasked male and female volunteers standing one metre from the table failed to contaminate exposed settle plates placed on the table. The wearing of face masks by non-scrubbed staff working in an operating room with forced ventilation seems to be unnecessary.
Link - https://www.journalofhospitalinfection.com/article/0195-6701(91)90148-2/pdf -
Archive - https://archive.is/59aMo
=======================
Summary: No masks were worn in one operating theatre for 6 months. There was no increase in the evidence of wound infection.
Link - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2493952/pdf/annrcse01509-0009.pdf
Archive - https://web.archive.org/web/20200717141836/ || hexagod.net/pdfs/archive/annrcse01509-0009.pdf
=====================
Objective:
The aim of this rapid expert consultation is to respond to your request concerning the effectiveness of homemade fabric masks worn by the general public to protect others, as distinct from protecting the wearer. The request stems from an interest in reducing transmission within the community by individuals who are infected, potentially contagious, but asymptomatic. Overall, the available evidence is inconclusive about the degree to which homemade fabric masks may suppress the spread of infection from the wearer to others.
Conclusion:
Bae et al. (2020) evaluated the effectiveness of surgical and cotton masks in filtering SARSCoV-2.10 They found that neither kind of mask reduced the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 from the coughs of four symptomatic patients with COVID-19 to the environment and external mask surface.
Link - https://www.nap.edu/catalog/25776/rapid-expert-consultation-on-the-effectiveness-of-fabric-masks-for-the-covid-19-pandemic-
Archive - https://archive.is/kRDQB
=======================
No public data available
Link - https://www.nap.edu/read/25776/chapter/1#6
Archive - https://archive.is/mWXRZ
========================
Methods and Results
We conducted systematic reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of personal protective measures on influenza virus transmission, including hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and face masks, and a systematic review of surface and object cleaning as an environmental measure (Table 1). We searched 4 databases (Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL) for literature in all languages.
Conclusion
Thumbnail of Meta-analysis of risk ratios for the effect of face mask use with or without enhanced hand hygiene on laboratory-confirmed influenza from 10 randomized controlled trials with >6,500 participants. A) Face mask use alone; B) face mask and hand hygiene; C) face mask with or without hand hygiene. Pooled estimates were not made if there was high heterogeneity (I2 >75%). Squares indicate risk ratio for each of the included studies, horizontal lines indicate 95% CIs, dashed vertical
Figure 2. Meta-analysis of risk ratios for the effect of face mask use with or without enhanced hand hygiene on laboratory-confirmed influenza from 10 randomized controlled trials with >6,500 participants. A) Face mask...
In our systematic review, we identified 10 RCTs that reported estimates of the effectiveness of face masks in reducing laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infections in the community from literature published during 1946–July 27, 2018. In pooled analysis, we found no significant reduction in influenza transmission with the use of face masks
Link - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/5/19-0994_article
Archive - https://archive.is/PTi7D
===========================
Description
A shortage of disposable filtering facepiece respirators can be expected during a pandemic respiratory infection such as influenza A. Some individuals may want to use common fabric materials for respiratory protection because of shortage or affordability reasons. To address the filtration performance of common fabric materials against nano-size particles including viruses, five major categories of fabric materials including sweatshirts, T-shirts, towels, scarves, and cloth masks were tested for polydisperse and monodisperse aerosols (20–1000 nm) at two different face velocities (5.5 and 16.5 cm s−1) and compared with the penetration levels for N95 respirator filter media.
Conclusion
The results showed that cloth masks and other fabric materials tested in the study had 40–90% instantaneous penetration levels
Link - https://academic.oup.com/annweh/article/54/7/789/202744
Archive -
========================
Background
Low-cost face masks made from different cloth materials are very common in developing countries. The cloth masks (CM) are usually double layered with stretchable ear loops. It is common practice to use such masks for months after multiple washing and drying cycles. If a CM is used for long time, the ear loops become stretched. The loop needs to be knotted to make the mask loop fit better on the face. It is not clear how washing and drying and stretching practices change the quality of a CM. The particulate matter (PM) filtering efficiency of a mask depends on multiple parameters, such as pore size, shape, clearance, and pore number density. It is important to understand the effect of these parameters on the filtering efficiency.
Methods
We characterized the surface of twenty different types of CMs using optical image analysis method. The filtering efficiency of selected cloth face masks was measured using the particle counting method. We also studied the effects of washing and drying and stretching on the quality of a mask.
Results
The pore size of masks ranged from 80 to 500 μm, which was much bigger than particular matter having diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) and 10 μm or less (PM10) size. The PM10 filtering efficiency of four of the selected masks ranged from 63% to 84%. The poor filtering efficiency may have arisen from larger and open pores present in the masks. Interestingly, we found that efficiency dropped by 20% after the 4th washing and drying cycle. We observed a change in pore size and shape and a decrease in microfibers within the pores after washing. Stretching of CM surface also altered the pore size and potentially decreased the filtering efficiency. As compared to CMs, the less frequently used surgical/paper masks had complicated networks of fibers and much smaller pores in multiple layers in comparison to CMs, and therefore had better filtering efficiency. This study showed that the filtering efficiency of cloth face masks were relatively lower, and washing and drying practices deteriorated the efficiency. We believe that the findings of this study will be very helpful for increasing public awareness and help governmental agencies to make proper guidelines and policies for use of face mask.
Link - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6599448/
Archive - https://archive.is/21bKj
===========================
Methods and Findings: The institutional review boards of 2 hospitals in Seoul, South Korea, approved the protocol, and we invited patients with COVID-19 to participate. After providing informed consent, patients were admitted to negative pressure isolation rooms. We compared disposable surgical masks (180 mm × 90 mm, 3 layers [inner surface mixed with polypropylene and polyethylene, polypropylene filter, and polypropylene outer surface], pleated, bulk packaged in cardboard; KM Dental Mask, KM Healthcare Corp) with reusable 100% cotton masks (160 mm × 135 mm, 2 layers, individually packaged in plastic; Seoulsa).
A petri dish (90 mm × 15 mm) containing 1 mL of viral transport media (sterile phosphate-buffered saline with bovine serum albumin, 0.1%; penicillin, 10 000 U/mL; streptomycin, 10 mg; and amphotericin B, 25 µg) was placed approximately 20 cm from the patients' mouths. Patients were instructed to cough 5 times each onto a petri dish while wearing the following sequence of masks: no mask, surgical mask, cotton mask, and again with no mask. A separate petri dish was used for each of the 5 coughing episodes. Mask surfaces were swabbed with aseptic Dacron swabs in the following sequence: outer surface of surgical mask, inner surface of surgical mask, outer surface of cotton mask, and inner surface of cotton mask.
The median viral loads of nasopharyngeal and saliva samples from the 4 participants were 5.66 log copies/mL and 4.00 log copies/mL, respectively. The median viral loads after coughs without a mask, with a surgical mask, and with a cotton mask were 2.56 log copies/mL, 2.42 log copies/mL, and 1.85 log copies/mL, respectively. All swabs from the outer mask surfaces of the masks were positive for SARS–CoV-2, whereas most swabs from the inner mask surfaces were negative (Table).
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of surgical and cotton masks in filtering SARS–CoV-2.
Discussion: Neither surgical nor cotton masks effectively filtered SARS–CoV-2 during coughs by infected patients.
Link - https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-1342
Archive - https://archive.is/c8I2D
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Background
Due to the SARS-CoV2 pandemic, medical face masks are widely recommended for a large number of individuals and long durations. The effect of wearing a surgical and a FFP2/N95 face mask on cardiopulmonary exercise capacity has not been systematically reported.
Methods
This prospective cross-over study quantitated the effects of wearing no mask (nm), a surgical mask (sm) and a FFP2/N95 mask (ffpm) in 12 healthy males (age 38.1 ± 6.2 years, BMI 24.5 ± 2.0 kg/m2). The 36 tests were performed in randomized order. The cardiopulmonary and metabolic responses were monitored by ergo-spirometry and impedance cardiography. Ten domains of comfort/discomfort of wearing a mask were assessed by questionnaire.
Results
The pulmonary function parameters were significantly lower with mask (forced expiratory volume: 5.6 ± 1.0 vs 5.3 ± 0.8 vs 6.1 ± 1.0 l/s with sm, ffpm and nm, respectively; p = 0.001; peak expiratory flow: 8.7 ± 1.4 vs 7.5 ± 1.1 vs 9.7 ± 1.6 l/s; p < 0.001). The maximum power was 269 ± 45, 263 ± 42 and 277 ± 46 W with sm, ffpm and nm, respectively; p = 0.002; the ventilation was significantly reduced with both face masks (131 ± 28 vs 114 ± 23 vs 99 ± 19 l/m; p < 0.001). Peak blood lactate response was reduced with mask. Cardiac output was similar with and without mask. Participants reported consistent and marked discomfort wearing the masks, especially ffpm.
Conclusion
Ventilation, cardiopulmonary exercise capacity and comfort are reduced by surgical masks and highly impaired by FFP2/N95 face masks in healthy individuals. These data are important for recommendations on wearing face masks at work or during physical exercise.
Link - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00392-020-01704-y
Archive - https://archive.is/LhG9o
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Objective
Healthcare professionals report side effects of prolonged use of PPE when caring for COVID-19 patients. This study delves into various adverse effects of prolonged mask use and provides recommendations to ease the burden on healthcare professionals.
Methods
This is a cross sectional study among healthcare professionals, primarily located in New York City, who worked in the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. All respondents completed an anonymous survey consisting of twenty one questions regarding adverse effects of PPE, medical history, and demographics.
Results
A total of 343 healthcare professionals on the COVID-19 front lines participated in this study. The majority were female (n = 315) and 227 were located in New York City. 225 respondents identified as White, 34 as Hispanic, 23 as African American, and 61 as "other" ethnicity. 314 respondents reported adverse effects from prolonged mask use with headaches being the most common complaint (n = 245). Skin breakdown was experienced by 175 respondents, and acne was reported in 182 respondents. Impaired cognition was reported in 81 respondents. Previous history of headaches (n = 98), skin sensitivity (n = 164), and acne (n = 121) were found in some respondents. Some respondents experienced resolved side effects once masks were removed, while others required physical or medical intervention.
Conclusion
Prolonged use of N95 and surgical masks by healthcare professionals during COVID-19 has caused adverse effects such as headaches, rash, acne, skin breakdown, and impaired cognition in the majority of those surveyed. As a second wave of COVID-19 is expected, and in preparation for future pandemics, it is imperative to identify solutions to manage these adverse effects. Frequent breaks, improved hydration and rest, skin care, and potentially newly designed comfortable masks are recommendations for future management of adverse effects related to prolonged mask use.
Link - https://clinmedjournals.org/articles/jide/journal-of-infectious-diseases-and-epidemiology-jide-6-130.php?jid=jide
Archive - https://archive.is/5uEQI
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Objectives
This study was undertaken to evaluate whether the surgeons’ oxygen saturation of hemoglobin was affected by the surgical mask or not during major operations.
Methods
Repeated measures, longitudinal and prospective observational study was performed on 53 surgeons using a pulse oximeter pre and postoperatively.
Results
Our study revealed a decrease in the oxygen saturation of arterial pulsations (SpO2) and a slight increase in pulse rates compared to preoperative values in all surgeon groups. The decrease was more prominent in the surgeons aged over 35.
Conclusions
Considering our findings, pulse rates of the surgeon's increase and SpO2 decrease after the first hour. This early change in SpO2 may be either due to the facial mask or the operational stress. Since a very small decrease in saturation at this level, reflects a large decrease in PaO2, our findings may have a clinical value for the health workers and the surgeons.
link - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1130147308702355 -
archive - https://archive.is/eOjb6
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Link broken - https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/04/commentary-masks-all-covid-19-not-
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Ryan Christian of TLAV, the man who collected all these papers:
- https://www.thelastamericanvagabond.com -
- https://www.bitchute.com/channel/thelastamericanvagabond/ -