Are masks working?
As COVID-19 has grown into a global pandemic, one of the most obvious visual impacts has been the predominance of masks in public settings. In most western societies the prevalence of masks has gone from near-zero to ubiquitous. Masks now provide a clear signal of virtue of concern for the health and safety of ourselves and others. “I am not only protecting myself…I am protecting you from me.” But beyond the clear signal of projecting virtue, are masks really helping much?
As the world’s leading voice for science during the pandemic, maybe we should look to The World Health Organization (WHO) for answers.
WHO has been studying respiratory viruses for decades:
At the beginning of 1963 a system for collecting and distributing laboratory and epidemiological information on virus diseases was organized by the World Health Organization… By the end of 1973, 106 laboratories in 45 countries were participating in the scheme.
https://apps.who.int/iris/
As of 1973, the number of coronavirus cases reported from these laboratories was very small (<10 cases) per year. However, they were on the radar as respiratory viruses that needed observation. Before 2003, two human coronaviruses were known to cause mild illness, such as common cold. However, with the emergence of SARS, coronaviruses, their origins, and transmission were studied in much more detail.
As a result, with over 50 years of respiratory virus research, and many studies of related coronaviruses as a foundation, the World Health Organization (WHO) was very well positioned to understand the scope, nature, transmission vectors, and the potential impact of COVID-19 as it emerged. (The full SARS-Cov2-genome was identified, sequenced, and underwent testing by mid-January 2020. Diagnostic detection study. )
On March 30th, 2020, a couple months after the widespread outbreak began, the WHO update stated:
- WHO officials do not recommend mask wearing for healthy members of the general population.
- Masks should be worn by those with the disease or those in close contact with those infected.
In June 2020, they updated their guidance, and now almost a year later, government mask mandates for the public are widespread… Why?
The chaotic environment of initial panic was obviously a contributing factor. When the “unknown virus” first emerged out of Wuhan and spread across the world, everyone was looking to protect themselves and loved ones. Our scientific, medical, and government leaders sought to shield us from the “unknown” and invisible enemy which was rapidly becoming a threat for everyone.
There were urgent government purchases of personal protective equipment (PPE). In California, Governor Newsom purchased about $1B of PPE from a Chinese company during a peak of the concern. (Many public details of the purchase have remained scarce. However, nearly $500 million worth of N95 masks were purchased for $3.30 each… considerably more than the average retail price per unit at Home Depot today.)
Obviously, during the initial panic we can assume the urgency of the situation required swift and decisive action – and the expediency outweighed the economic concerns. Ventilators, masks, and other PPE were in high demand. However, given the lack of a realized mask (or toilet paper) shortage, many prior responses and decisions made in the heat of the moment can now be seen as a clear overreaction. Did we…and do we need all those masks?
In the United States, if we look at states with and without high levels of mask use, it is clear there is no apparent justification for widespread mask mandates. The North Dakota and South Dakota article is one example. Florida has had no statewide mask mandate and has seen a lower infection rate than most other states which have mandates.
In addition, most mask mandates provide limited guidance as to the type of face covering. More often than not, people are not required to have face protection to any particular standard (such an N95). Also, many masks are designed for single use, but reused. It often appears masks are “just for show”. Here are the existing CDC guidelines for comparisons sake.
To use an exaggerated example: If you had allergies, would you install a fence keep pollen from your neighbors’ trees out of your yard? Or your trees’ pollen from theirs? As more research comes out, it will likely be apparent effectively containing a virus is a very complex and perhaps a futile exercise at many levels. Virus particles are incredibly small and can pass through many masks with ease. Even N95 masks only reduce a portion of the particulate matter. Duration of exposure in indoor vs. outdoor environments and ventilation are also critical factors in transmission.
This article is not intended to advocate for the non-use of masks, but rather suggest that questioning mask mandates should be encouraged. We need more studies and greater confidence in mandates and lockdowns which affect us all. None of us have all the answers, and those claiming they do likely have other reasons for saying so. As citizens, we have a right, and duty to question the effectiveness of mask mandates, lockdowns, and other COVID restrictions.
Here are some recent studies and guidelines on mask effectiveness for further reading:
