Stop whining and wear a mask VOICES

In his Sept. 25 letter, Todd Peterson cherrypicks a study published in the EID (Emerging Infectious Diseases) Journal published by the federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The article he references was submitted by J. Xiao of the University of Hong Kong. This work, performed at the university (not at the CDC) was a review and analysis of studies performed over the period

1946-2018. Xiao concluded that masks were not effective in reducing the transmission of influenza. However, Xiao noted that “Most studies were underpowered because of limited sample size, and some studies also reported suboptimal adherence in the face mask group.”

A letter to the same journal submitted by C. Chaing of the National Taiwan University also noted these shortcomings in the Xiao study, and provided data in strong support of the effectiveness of masks in preventing CO

VID-19 transmission.

Calling CDC Director Dr. Redfield a liar is absurd. Mr. Peterson’s personal insults about Dr. Redfield are outrageous. Based on analysis, data and common sense, the overwhelming opinion of infectious disease experts and public health officials across the world supports the wearing of masks when social distancing is not possible. It is this opinion that was articulated by Dr. Redfield.

The wearing of masks in some Asian countries, in part a lesson from the 2003 SARS epidemic, has been effective in controlling

COVID-19 in Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. The politicization of mask wearing by “mask deniers” has contributed to the health care disaster we are experienced in this country. Stop whining and wear a damn mask! Stanley Kishner

Danbury