Opposition to Mask Mandates

I request that you take the time to read through and consider the information and resources that I have compiled for you. “You can’t please everyone all the time” is true, but the irony does not bring any comfort or make it any easier to be the decision maker in times like these. Particularly when you are making a decision that so intricately affects the lives of children and their families. I urge you to find the strength within you to stand firm against the tide if you feel it is right.

I will do my best to remain objective while I discuss the variables involved in the decision to mandate masks for our students, but many are aware that I have spoken out against masks and social distancing practices from day one. There is a great deal of conflicting information and confusion, so I hope what I present here offers you the same clarity and confidence in the areas of mask efficacy, viral epidemiology, and psychosocial considerations of mandating masks in schools. I took care to be as concise as possible, but my sole intention is a clear and thorough evaluation of the evidence. I have faith that you will carefully review the following with an open mind.

I think the largest issue we need to remember as we take the lives of our future into our hands with this decision that we all want to do what is right for our children. We want the real, factual truth about all of it, as detailed as possible, without interference or direction unbeknownst to us. Now is not a time to be consumed by emotions or ego attachments to outdated dogma. We cannot afford to run with the crowd simply because it is easier to conform, or turn a blind eye to objective evidence. I cannot emphasize enough to you that this is my passion to bring you the most honest and blatantly clear truth.

My Qualifications

Graduate school thoroughly prepared me to perform an extensive literature review on the efficacy of masks in preventing the transmission of airborne viral infections. After 16 years in the field as a registered nurse, many of them spent working in the community as I case managed patients from the birthing suite to the death bed. Coursework emphasized the importance of reaching people where they live to make the biggest difference, but I was living it and watching it. My personal life was quite different from my professional life. I claim this proudly as another perspective has granted me clarity where others may be easily dissuaded from asking questions.

Research Technique

For this literature review, I accessed several scholarly databases: JSTOR, CORE, DOAJ, and WorldWideScience. I chose these databases specifically because the founders and affiliates have no conflicting interests, are nonpartisan, and they do not use algorithms to affect the search results.

The search terms I used: viral epidemiology, mask mandates, cloth versus surgical masks, COVID, children, preventing virus transmission, psychological effects of masks, mask efficacy. The sources I reviewed came from around the world. Focusing solely on American sources limits the scope of knowledge and may or may not be influenced by those funding the studies. What I found was largely contradictory information, with a notable difference seemingly dependent on the publisher and its affiliates. The use of masks has become so politicized, it is difficult to wade through the conflicting information, let alone allow for a truly unbiased, rational conversation of the facts.

The reference list I provide attached to this letter is obtained from thoroughly vetted sources. I carefully examined the authors, the research question, funding sources, and methodologies. I took time to review the sources they cited and the sources that cited them. I weighed the conflicting arguments raised by each individually and as a whole to reach conclusions on point with my initial gut reactions. There is so much conflicting information available at our fingertips, with so many separate interest groups pulling the strings, but not everyone has the ability, resources, or experiences necessary to properly analyze fact from fear mongering. My literature sources come from a multitude of experts working in a plethora of different fields, each with its own unique perspective and motivations for seeking the real truth.

What the Evidence Shows

While the efficacy of personal protective equipment has been explored in acute care settings, limited data is available that specifically supports the use of a mask in social and outdoor settings to prevent the transmission and spread of COVID. Studies were performed amidst chaos and confusion in all health care settings. Data gathered and analyzed in hindsight provides valuable information, but uncontrolled variables often raise more questions than answers. Here is what my literature review and research have shown. I will present facts and figures outlining:

• infection/hospitalization/death rates by age group

• dangers of relying on the mask alone

• comparing data from states with different protocol

• factors that decrease mask effectiveness

• factors that contribute to complications from mask use

• supporting healthy immune systems

• psychological and sociological effects of long-term mask use

Risk Varies by Age Group

First of all, despite what has been published and promoted by our country’s leaders, the risk of infection and death is not the same for all age groups. Let’s look at the information published by our Centers for Disease Control:

What this chart clearly shows is the low incidence rate of contracting COVID found among our children and young adults. We have been grossly misinformed and led to believe that this virus impacts all age groups equally, which has been statistically proven to be false. There is a distinct stratified risk that is strongly associated with increasing age and co-morbidities. Paul Alexander (2021) reports that children ages 4-10 “naturally have the capability of evading the SARS-CoV-2 virus due to lack of ACE-2 receptors in their nostrils.” It is the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 that binds to the COVID virus and promotes internalizing the infection (Patel and Verma, 2020).

Dangers of Relying on a Mask Alone

Contrary to results obtained in popularized studies, there is a large amount of research that has concluded there is no beneficial reduction in the spread of infectious diseases with the use of a mask alone. Countless studies I have listed below point to the many variables involved and the fact that these variables were not sufficiently considered in studies cited by our media and government as reasoning for initiating the mask mandate. Reports from our own CDC admit that the scientific evidence is mixed, and researchers gloss over many unanswered questions that arise from reviewing the studies.

Klompas, et al (2020) comes right out and says it: “We know that wearing a mask outside health care facilities offers little, if any, protection from infection.” They go on to report “focusing on universal masking alone may, paradoxically, lead to more transmission of Covid-19 if it diverts attention from implementing more fundamental infection-control measures” such as handwashing, covering your cough with your elbow instead of your hand, social distancing and isolation with active illness...

Decreased Effectiveness Over Time

Masks, even if they are theoretically helpful, would lose their effectiveness after approximately 20 minutes due to saturation from moisture in your breath. Not only does the moisture fail to filter out the virus, it passes on the drops as if no mask was worn at all. In addition, a mask that has been exposed to COVID is now contaminated. Not only is this contaminated mask omitting contaminated droplets with each breath, the wearer is also continually breathing in contaminated droplets. The moist, contaminated mask then increases the inhaled viral-load, worsening symptoms for the wearer as the immune system struggles to keep up with demand. Increased concentration of the virus in the nasal passage will force it to enter the olfactory nerves and travel to the brain, a trend we are now beginning to see nationwide.

Other factors involved include the use of disposable versus reusable masks, the materials used for the mask, whether the reusable masks are consistently washed and rotated, and differences in the way masks are worn. MacIntyre (2021) reports that a study involving cloth masks found that they showed higher incidences of contamination and higher rates of infection.

Not only does the mask accumulate moisture from our exhaled breaths leading to easier passage of the virus, it also creates an excellent medium for bacterial growth. This increases our risk of contracting bacterial respiratory and skin infections, as many have noted with increased breakouts and skin irritation directly related to mask use, such as: acne, nasal bridge scarring, facial itching, rash/irritation, and discomfort related to increased facial temperature, pain behind the ears and facial contact points.

Complications of Extended Mask Use

Since we have a wealth of evidence debunking the benefits in preventing disease transmission, lets look at the risks. The impedence of breathing can trigger a whole slew of problems, especially for those with a history of cardiac or pulmonary issues.

• Acute anxiety attacks worsen in severity with the mask inhibiting breathing. Emergency room visits linked to mental health problems for children increased approximately 30% between April and October 2020. While some of this increase may be due to the pandemic, it is suspected to be largely due to our response to the pandemic.

• Studies show there are short term cardiovascular changes during prolonged mask use, including slight drop in oxygen saturation levels and increased heart rate. These are alleviated with removing the mask but are a factor to be considered. These effects are enhanced during physical exertion and exercise.

• Wearing masks force us to rebreath our exhaled air. Rebreathing exhaled air increases levels of carbon dioxide in our bloodstream, inversely lowering oxygenation. The body’s homeostatic mechanisms are usually able to correct these changes, but if our bodies have to continue compensating for prolonged periods of time, this leads to imbalances. Our drive to breath is regulated in the brain stem and stimulated by elevated CO2 levels, not by low oxygen levels. We know that the human brain is very sensitive to oxygen deprivation, leading to neuron death in as little as 3 minutes without an adequate supply.

• Metabolic changes in the brain are detrimental to our brain tissue. Acute warning symptoms of these effects include headache, drowsiness, dizziness, reduced ability to concentrate and reductions in cognitive function.

Supporting Healthy Immune Systems

In addition to these, it is well known that children and adolescents have an extremely active and adaptive immune system. They build immunity through exposure to bacteria and viruses that challenge and strengthen their immune response. By restricting children’s activities because of lockdowns and masking, we are limiting the exposure that builds their immunity. A child that has not been exposed to common organisms in our environment has little defense against minor illnesses, which can then overwhelm their immune systems and create bigger issues long-term.

Getting sick is simply part of the human experience. Regardless of the empty promises popularized by western medicine and pharmaceutical companies, there is no easy button or simple pill that can relieve humanity of this suffering. Getting sick is not fun, and often times it is miserably uncomfortable. While it is possible to treat symptoms using over the counter remedies, there is limited information on the long-term complications. Masking or alleviating symptoms is not the same as curing the cause of those symptoms. Sweeping concerns under the rug and ignoring signs from your body lead to dis-ease and more complications.

Eat a balanced diet. Drink plenty of fluids, water especially, Avoid processed or high sugar foods. Manage stressors as they arise to avoid burnout, fatigue, or immune suppression as a result of long-term stress. Find balance in all areas of your life: physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual... Be mindful of your thought patterns and the words you use. Focusing on health concerns only amplifies them and inadvertently adds energy to the development of symptoms or dis-ease states. My Law-Of-Attraction Oracle Card deck offered these wise words:

Psychosocial Considerations

After considering the physiological implications of wearing a mask, it is important not to forget the psychological effects. I briefly touched upon the increased incidence of mental health issues related to anxiety when I reviewed the effects of restriction on breathing. Studying facial expressions is a crucial part of processing emotions and social interactions from an early age, with many asserting this means of communication is a vital part of child development.

A study (Carbon, 2020) performed with individuals of all ages asked that they view pictures of individuals who had a standard medical mask digitally added and determine what emotions were depicted in each pitcure. Not only did study participants demonstrate more difficulty in judging emotions, but they also reported lower confidence in their abilities. This has potentially catastrophic impacts in the cognitive development of children, with even greater impact on children with special needs or those within the autism spectrum.

Slowing Transmission of COVID

I will summarize the facts and evidence surrounding proven strategies and common sense techniques for preventing and reducing transmission of COVID. Let's start by examining the COVID virus in comparison with respiratory droplets, and other microscopic particles!

References

Alexander, P.E. (March 2021). The CDC’s Mask Mandate Study: Debunked. Retrieved September 19, 2021 from: https://www.aier.org/article/the-cdcs-mask-mandate-study-debunked/

Alexander, P. (March 2021). Masking Children: Tragic, Unscientific, and Damaging. Retrieved on September 18, 2021 from: https://www.aier.org/article/masking-children-tragic-unscientific-and-damaging/?fbclid=IwAR1Wr5sXcpyJ1brWhcnCgmA2pHVt4raIUibPlrf6Z5ftdcZM3sOT04JIuLA

Alexander, P. (Feb 2021). School Closure: A Careful Review of the Evidence. Retrieved on September 19, 2021 from: https://www.aier.org/article/school-closure-a-careful-review-of-the-evidence/

Alfelali, Mohammad and Haworth, Elizabeth Ann and Barasheed, Osamah and Badahdah, Al-Mamoon and Bokhary, Hamid and Tashani, Mohamed and Azeem, Mohammad Irfan and Kok, Jen and Taylor, Janette and Barnes, Elizabeth Helen and El Bashir, Haitham and Khandaker, Gulam and Holmes, Edward Charles and Dwyer, Dominic Edmund and Heron, Leon and Wilson, Godwin Justus and Booy, Robert and Rashid, Harunor, Facemask versus No Facemask in Preventing Viral Respiratory Infections During Hajj: A Cluster Randomised Open Label Trial (March 8, 2019). Retrieved September 18, 2021 from: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3349234

Ang, C. (2020) Zooming in: Visualizing the relative size of particles. Retrieved September 20, 2021 from: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visualizing-relative-size-of-particles/

Ausic, S. (2020). A gigantic garbage problem: the head of the environmental institute warns of microplastic in face masks.” Retrieved September 17, 2021 from: https://www.epochtimes.de/gesundheit/ein-gigantisches-muellproblem-umweltinstituts-leiter-warnt-vor-mikroplastik-in-gesichtsmasken-a3292754.html

Bin-Reza F, Lopez Chavarrias V, Nicoll A, Chamberland ME. The use of masks and respirators to prevent transmission of influenza: a systematic review of the scientific evidence. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2012 Jul;6(4):257-67. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-2659.2011.00307.x. Epub 2011 Dec 21. PMID: 22188875; PMCID: PMC5779801. Retrieved Sept 20, 2021 from : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22188875/

Blaylock, R. (2020). Face Masks Pose Serious Risks to the Healthy. Retrieved September 18, 2021 from: https://www.technocracy.news/blaylock-face-masks-pose-serious-risks-to-the-healthy/

Brosseau, L.M., Sietsema, M. (2020) Commentary: Masks-for-all for COVID-19 not based on sound data. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. Retrieved September 18, 2021 from: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/04/commentary-masks-all-covid-19-not-based-sound-data

Bundgaard, H., Bundgaard, J.S., et al. (2021). Effectiveness of Adding a Mask Recommendation to Other Public Health Measures to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Danish Mask Wearers. Annals of Internal Medicine. Retrieved September 18, 2021 from: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-6817

Canada (2018). Public Health Measures: Canadian Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: Planning Guidance for the Health Sector. Retrieved Sept 19, 2021 from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/flu-influenza/canadian-pandemic-influenza-preparedness-planning-guidance-health-sector/public-health-measures.html#a51

Carbon, C. (2020). Wearing face masks strongly confuses counterparts in reading emotions. Front Psychology. Retrieved September 20, 2021 from: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.566886/full

COWLING, B., ZHOU, Y., IP, D., LEUNG, G., & AIELLO, A. (2010). Face masks to prevent transmission of influenza virus: A systematic review. Epidemiology and Infection, 138(4), 449-456. doi:10.1017/S0950268809991658 Retrieved September 19, 2021 from: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/epidemiology-and-infection/article/face-masks-to-prevent-transmission-of-influenza-virus-a-systematic-review/64D368496EBDE0AFCC6639CCC9D8BC05

Eberhart M, Orthaber S, Kerbl R. The impact of face masks on children-A mini review. Acta Paediatr. 2021 Jun;110(6):1778-1783. doi: 10.1111/apa.15784. Epub 2021 Feb 21. PMID: 33533522; PMCID: PMC8014099.

Fennelly K. P. (2020). Particle sizes of infectious aerosols: implications for infection control. The Lancet. Respiratory medicine, 8(9), 914–924. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30323-4. Retrieved September 20, 2020 from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7380927/

Iversen BG, Vestrheim DF, Flottorp S, Denison E, Oxman AD. COVID-19: Should individuals in the community without respiratory symptoms wear facemasks to reduce the spread of COVID-19? [Covid-19: Bør personer i samfunnet bruke ansiktsmasker for å redusere spredningen av covid-19? Hurtigoversikt 2020] Oslo: Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 2020 Retrieved Sept 20, 2021 from: https://www.fhi.no/globalassets/dokumenterfiler/rapporter/2020/should-individuals-in-the-community-without-respiratory-symptoms-wear-facemasks-to-reduce-the-spread-of-covid-19-report-2020.pdf

Jefferson, T., Henegan, C. (2020). Masking lack of evidence with politics. The Center for Evidence-based Medicine. Retrieved September 18, 2021 from: http://cebm.net/covid-19/masking-lack-of-evidence-with-politics/

Jacobs JL, Ohde S, Takahashi O, Tokuda Y, Omata F, Fukui T. Use of surgical face masks to reduce the incidence of the common cold among health care workers in Japan: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Infect Control. 2009 Jun;37(5):417-419. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2008.11.002. Epub 2009 Feb 12. PMID: 19216002. Retrieved September 20, 2021 from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19216002/

Jefferson, T., Jones, M.A., Al-Ansary, L., Bawazeer, G.A., Beller, E.M., Clark, J., Conly, J.M, Del Mar, C., Dooley, E., Ferroni, E., Glasziou, P., Hofmann, T., Thorning, S., and van Driel, M.L. (2020).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. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.30.20047217. Retrieved Sept, 29, 2021 from: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.30.20047217v2.article-info

Kao TW, Huang KC, Huang YL, Tsai TJ, Hsieh BS, Wu MS. The physiological impact of wearing an N95 mask during hemodialysis as a precaution against SARS in patients with end-stage renal disease. J Formos Med Assoc. 2004 Aug;103(8):624-8. PMID: 15340662.

Kisielinski K, Giboni P, Prescher A, Klosterhalfen B, Graessel D, Funken S, Kempski O, Hirsch O. Is a Mask That Covers the Mouth and Nose Free from Undesirable Side Effects in Everyday Use and Free of Potential Hazards? Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 20;18(8):4344. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18084344. PMID: 33923935; PMCID: PMC8072811.

Klompas, M., Morris, C.A., Sinclair, J., Pearson, M. et al. (2020) N Engl J Med 2020; 382:e63 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp2006372 Retrieved September 18, 2021 from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2006372

Koops, R.W. (Oct 2020) The Year of Disquises. American Institute for Economic Research. Retrieved September 18,2021 from: https://www.aier.org/article/the-year-of-disguises/

Lazzarino, A.I., Steptoe, A., Hamer, M., Michie, S. (2020) Covid-19: Important potential side effects of wearing face masks that we should bear in mind. British Medical Journal 2020; 369; m2003. Retrieved September 19, 2021 from: https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m2003

Ludvigsson, J.F., Engerstrom, L., Nordenhall, C. Larsson, E. (2021) . Open Schools, Covid-19, and Child and Teacher Morbidity in Sweden. N Engl J Med 2021; 384:669-671DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc2026670 Retrieved Sept 18, 2021 from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2026670

MacIntyre CR, Seale H, Dung,TC, et al (2015). A cluster randomised trial of cloth masks compared with medical masks in healthcare workers BMJ Open 2015;5:e006577. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006577. Retrieved September 20, 2021 from: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577

Myers, A. (2020). COVID-19 Prompts a team of engineers to rethink the humble face mask. Retrieved Sept 20, 2021 from:https://engineering.stanford.edu/magazine/article/covid-19-prompts-team-engineers-rethink-humble-face-mask

Offeddu, V. Yung, C.F., Fong Low, M.S., Tam, C.C. (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 Retrieved September 19, 2021 from: https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/65/11/1934/4068747

Orr. N.W.M. (1981). Is a mask necessary in the operating theater? Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Retrieved September 20, 2021 from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2493952/pdf/annrcse01509-0009.pdf

Patel, A.B. and Verma, A. (2020). Nasal ACE2 Levels and COVID-19 in Children. JAMA, 323 (23): 2386-2387. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.8946 Retrieved September 20, 2021 from: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2766522Prousa, D. (2020). Study on psychological and psycho-vegetative complaints with the current mouth and nose protection regulations. PsychArchives. https://doi.org/10.23668/PSYCHARCHIVES.3135

Reidy, G. (2021). Double-Masking Benefits are Limited, Japan Supercomputer finds. Retrieved Sept 18, 2021 from: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-05/double-masking-benefits-are-limited-japan-supercomputer-finds

Scheid JL, Lupien SP, Ford GS, West SL. Commentary: Physiological and Psychological Impact of Face Mask Usage during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Sep 12;17(18):6655. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17186655. PMID: 32932652; PMCID: PMC7558090. Retrieved September 19, 2021 from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7558090/

Sukel, K. (2021). Losing Face. Dana Foundation. Retrieved September 20, 2021 from: https://dana.org/article/losing-face/

Tomiyoshi, T. (2020) Face masks pose dangers for babies, toddlers during COVID-19 pandemic. Retrieved September 20, 2021 from: https://health.ucdavis.edu/health-news/newsroom/masks-pose-dangers-for-babies-toddlers-/2020/04

Vadum, M. (2020) Mask mandates seem to make CCP virus infection rates climb, study says. Retrieved September 19, 2021 from: https://www.theepochtimes.com/face-mask-mandates-seem-to-make-ccp-virus-infection-rates-climb-says-study_3629627.html?utm_source=morningbrief&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mb-2020-12-23&fbclid=IwAR1OlncsLOdYRg-vt2afCphIGj3z6Curfcp3G-U9_EEjQi-MXId5IzwZRBw

Weiss, Y. (2020). These 12 graphs show mask mandates do nothing to stop COVID. The Federalist. Retrieved September 19, 2021 from: https://thefederalist.com/2020/10/29/these-12-graphs-show-mask-mandates-do-nothing-to-stop-covid/

Wells WF. (1955). Airborne contagion and air hygiene: an ecological study of droplet infections. Harvard University Press; Cambridge. Aerodynamics of droplet nuclei; pp. 13–19. Abstract reviewed on September 20, 2021 from: https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/19562701497

World Health Organization. (2019). Non-pharmaceutical public health measures for mitigating the risk and impact of epidemic and pandemic influenza; 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2021 from: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/329438/9789241516839-eng.pdf?ua=1

World News Today. (2020). Seventy doctors request abolition of mandatory mouth mask in school. Retrieved September 20, 2021 from: https://www.world-today-news.com/70-doctors-in-open-letter-to-ben-weyts-abolish-mandatory-mouth-mask-at-school-belgium/

Younes, J. (2020). The Strangely Unscientific Masking of America. Retrieved September 19, 2021 from: https://www.aier.org/article/the-strangely-unscientific-masking-of-america/