It's true--you can really can fool an awful lot of people most of the time. For example ...
The country's problems captured in one graph. Democrat voters are extremely gullible. https://t.co/bfB7NXQMXM
— Hans Mahncke (@HansMahncke) April 18, 2021
How many of these low info folks do you suppose have even heard about Fauci funding the Wuhan research that gave us Covid-19--after that same research was banned in the US? But, of course, the people Fauci fronts for know all about that. Fools and cynics in the same mix lead to a perfect anti-constitutional storm.
Here's another joke on us. Fauci, as you know, is now going around touting multiple mask wearing. And yet ...
Stanford study quietly published at NIH.gov proves face masks are absolutely worthless against Covid
Yep, a peer reviewed study conducted at a prestigious university and published by the government's public health establishment came to that conclusion:
Did you hear about the peer-reviewed study done by Stanford University that demonstrates beyond a reasonable doubt that face masks have absolutely zero chance of preventing the spread of Covid-19? No? It was posted on the the National Center for Biotechnological Information government website. The NCBI is a branch of the National Institute for Health, so one would think such a study would be widely reported by mainstream media and embraced by the “science-loving” folks in Big Tech.
And, No, this study wasn't widely reported. Moreover, not only did the study conclude that masking confers no benefit, but it also concluded that it poses serious risks:
The existing scientific evidences challenge the safety and efficacy of wearing facemask as preventive intervention for COVID-19. The data suggest that both medical and non-medical facemasks are ineffective to block human-to-human transmission of viral and infectious disease such SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, supporting against the usage of facemasks. Wearing facemasks has been demonstrated to have substantial adverse physiological and psychological effects. These include hypoxia, hypercapnia, shortness of breath, increased acidity and toxicity, activation of fear and stress response, rise in stress hormones, immunosuppression, fatigue, headaches, decline in cognitive performance, predisposition for viral and infectious illnesses, chronic stress, anxiety and depression. Long-term consequences of wearing facemask can cause health deterioration, developing and progression of chronic diseases and premature death. Governments, policy makers and health organizations should utilize prosper and scientific evidence-based approach with respect to wearing facemasks, when the latter is considered as preventive intervention for public health.
Here's one reason that so few people have heard about this study:
Twitter has suspended @CortesSteve for citing a Stanford NIH study about masks. pic.twitter.com/2y460zkN0Z
— Raheem Kassam (@RaheemKassam) April 17, 2021
And yet I've heard Fauci referred to as "the hero of the pandemic." In fairness, Fauci appears to have been the second choice, as a replacement for the first hero--Andrew Cuomo. Liberals--what to say?
Great graph - amazing how partisan “facts” and “science” have become.
ReplyDeleteMark, I daresay I've worn more different types of protective masks in more hazardous environments than anyone you know (to include BSL-4 biolabs at Fort Detrick & CDC, as well as chemical agent [read: nerve gas, though it's not really a "gas", but I digress] storage and R&D facilities all over the world) and I've known this general population mask wearing approach is baloney from the get-go. To be effective, you must be fit-tested...anything less is a joke. I was talking to my doc the other day and he mentioned that his practice received N95 masks last year from the county and he called them to asked when they were coming by to fit test his staff - the county told him not to worry about fit testing, just wear the masks as best as possible so he knew then it was a farce.
ReplyDeleteAnd forget it if you have a beard, even the best military gas masks will leak like a sieve if you don't have a good seal to the skin. Worst of all, these flimsy masks make people think they are protected so they move close to others and disregard any social distance rules, which actually could help to some degree...SMDH
We have an idiot reporter in DC who ALWAYS wears a mask, I don't care where he is - somewhere outdoors, by himself, 30 miles away from the District - he's wearing that stupid surgical mask, day & night...I've forgotten what he looks like without one (not that it matters...but I wonder if he'll ever stop wearing it, sigh)
Don't forget about our idiot president who double-masked walking around Arlington National Cemetery by himself for a photo shoot.
DeleteFor a couple of decades I was Hazwoper certified as a field investigator for one of our three letter agencies. Our annual refresher course was conducted by staffers from the Surgeon General. I recall hearing that these cotton dust masks and even surgical masks were ineffective in stopping airborne viruses. They only prevent you from spitting on others as you talk.
DeleteA Farmer
@Hotlanta
DeleteThis might be part of a longer discussion, but, in short, I have concluded as follows regarding masks.
I am certain that masking has been virtually useless in preventing the spread of the virus, for all of the reasons in Mark's post, and all the reasons you mention in your comment.
I conclude that humans (largely in Western countries) have become so afraid of that which they cannot control, that any kind of 'control' becomes acceptable. Mask regulations become acceptable, not because masks work, but because people want to believe they work, because they are afraid.
So, you and I must wear a mask, even though they don't work, in order to allay the fears of the many. They find comfort in control. And if we don't wear a mask, we are guilty of exacerbating the fears of the many. That makes us very bad people.
@Cassander: I think others have tried to express this idea, but you have articulated it most clearly.
DeleteIt is one of the main reasons our civilization must fail:
Out of fear we seek control; failing that, we cede control.
I completely agree on the low info part but that plague transcends the partisan divide.
ReplyDeletePeople are too easily manipulated across the board. Fear and ignorance simply run rampid.
Big picture thinking seems to be something of the past. Keeping an open mind and asking questions is rare today and often shunned in larger circles.
I often find myself lost in thought on how to best combat the basic functional principles of propaganda and the religious like beliefs it instills into people.
I draw a blank every time. All I can come up with is historically this is what happens in every large civilization. They eat themselves over literal mythology.
I, too, believe that masks are less than useless. However, the analysis in the paper is kind of misleading. They state the size of the virus particles (very small), then they state the size of the mask THREADS, not the mask openings (distance between threads). Granted, many virus particles could be trapped on the threads, but the inter-thread spaces are the key to stopping a significant number of virus particles.
ReplyDeleteI think the best laymen's terms I've seen for using masks against a virus is comparing it to the effectiveness of chain link fence for mosquitoes.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like some are finally making it out of the closet in expressing concern about a higher risk of harm from the jab.
Another polio vaccine moment in the making... That would be irony and the cover up would be about the same.
Lucky they have that vaccine court and legislation in place to stop any of that pesky liability from coming about.
I can see the CNN and WSJ leads now... Trump's Vax Effort Fails, Biden Saves Planet, Issues Lockdowns Until 2028.
I wish I could say I'm feeling sarcastic... 🙄