Unmasking mask disinformation, part one

An Interdisciplinary publication spanning four continents representing 17 different scientific specialties was just published. It covered 95 years of scientific mask literature.

Health, epidemiological, ecological, and financial studies reviewed in this report strongly support proper mask wearing. One US international financial study reported that wearing / maintenance of proper face masks, with high compliance, could positively impact the US GDP by $1 trillion.

The report concludes that non-pharmaceutical intervention is imperative for COVID-19 mitigation and over 100 countries now recommend face covering / mask wearing.

The preponderance of human and animal clinical and laboratory evidence reviewed in this report indicate that the proper wearing / maintenance of the proper mask, with high compliance, will reduce coronavirus transmissibility. The current COVID-19 deaths and horrific economic destruction, in my opinion, constitute a morally and unacceptable harm which could be significantly mitigated by wearing proper masks with high compliance. It represents a very low risk measure with a potentially large positive impact. The report indicates there is no significant down side, in a healthy person, to mask wearing.

Face coverings have been recommended in pandemics since the 14th century and were the principal means of protection during the great 1910 Manchurian Plague.

The report concludes that when used in conjunction with widespread testing, contact tracing, quarantining of infected, hand washing and social distancing, proper face masks, worn with high compliance, are a valuable tool to reduce community transmission.

— Terrance Wilson, Chico