A top public health expert says the evidence on use of #masks in public has become “so strong” it needs urgent attention. He says they could be key intervention to stop transmission. The MOH says they’re not needed. @NewshubNZ #COVID19nz #Masks4All #NZhttps://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/04/new-zealand-needs-to-urgently-look-at-wearing-masks-in-public-expert.html …
-
-
Replying to @MichaelMorrah @NewshubNZ
I think the MoH position is more nuanced than this suggests. - Masks are *worse* than useless if they are handled incorrectly - Masks may well give a sense of security which is not justified and will compromise social distancing and hand hygiene
4 replies 0 retweets 4 likes -
There is absolutely no evidence that masks are worse than useless if handled incorrectly, and there is no evidence for false sense of security either currently, and from any past studies (this has been studied to death). Where are you getting this stuff?
1 reply 0 retweets 3 likes -
If these things have been studied to death you no doubt have any number of references you could post. Give me a few and I will be happy to revise my opinion if I think that is justified.
2 replies 0 retweets 0 likes -
Of course! Here's the link a paper with a section on false sense of security/risk compensation. It really has been studied to death! It comes up for every safety device. We have also just did a report to WHO on this, I will see if that can be made public. https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202004.0203/v1 …pic.twitter.com/ZQSzXH3Dt4
3 replies 0 retweets 6 likes -
Replying to @zeynep @ChrisALee_NZ and
As for increased risk from incorrect handling of masks in community settings? There is not a single study showing that. We have been searching high and low for it. (With epidemiologists, virologists and public health experts on the team). We couldn't even concoct the scenario.
2 replies 0 retweets 3 likes -
Replying to @zeynep @ChrisALee_NZ and
Studies of donning/doffing risk are all from medical settings, and the risk is incorrect donning/doffing compared to correct donning/doffing. I mean, yes, if you are handling SARS/Ebola patients and you screw up doffing, yeah more risk. But that's not the claim here.
2 replies 0 retweets 5 likes -
Replying to @zeynep @ChrisALee_NZ and
What is the scenario here? Do you touch your face more often with a mask? No evidence of that. What if you do? You're touching outside of mask. What if someone coughs on you? Well, yeah, outside of your mask is contaminated but OTHERWISE YOU BREATHE IT IN FOR SURE. No extra risk.
1 reply 1 retweet 3 likes -
Replying to @zeynep @ChrisALee_NZ and
We looked for evidence and we really tried to find the scenario in which incorrect mask wearing is increased risk. (We would want to know because then we can warn people). We find no evidence plus no real scenario. So: wash hands after handling masks and change them often.
1 reply 0 retweets 1 like -
Replying to @zeynep @ChrisALee_NZ and
Much of the confusion between PPE and masks for community. We wrote about that here. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/04/dont-wear-mask-yourself/610336/ …
1 reply 0 retweets 3 likes
So, honestly there is simultaneously no evidence for and a lot of counter evidence for the claim of "increased harms" either from false sense of security or incorrect wearing. I'd be super open to any data/study and even anecdotes to the contrary! It just isn't there.
-
-
Thanks for the offer. If I find something you can be sure I'll let you know. Cheers
0 replies 0 retweets 0 likesThanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.