The hottest Masks Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health Politics Topics

Masks are nearly all off

Sensible Medicine • 6230 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Masks Vaccination
  1. Many people have different opinions on mask-wearing and judge others based on their choices.
  2. Logical breaks for stopping mask-wearing include belief in its effectiveness and timing related to vaccination or Covid infection.
  3. Continuing to wear masks after certain periods or events may not always be rational according to the author.

CDC Warns CDC’s Own Scientists That Their Finding on Masks “Is Not Scientifically Correct”

The DisInformation Chronicle • 865 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Masks CDC Whistleblowers Policy
  1. CDC Director Mandy Cohen did not dismiss the idea of reinstituting mask mandates for toddlers.
  2. CDC's own scientists are in disagreement with the claim that N95 respirators are more effective than surgical masks.
  3. CDC has faced controversy over shifting stances on mask efficacy in stopping the spread of COVID.

INVESTIGATION: CDC Upset Their Own Expert Advisers Not Recommending Masks, Demands They Recommend Masks

The DisInformation Chronicle • 795 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics CDC Masks Experts Guidance
  1. CDC is upset with their own expert advisors for not recommending masks and demands they change their advice
  2. Research shows that N95 respirators don't offer better protection than masks for COVID
  3. CDC's mask recommendations are influenced by political factors and do not align with research findings

Florida Grand Jury Finds Average Citizens Aren’t Buying “Follow the Science” Propaganda on Masks and Social Distancing

The DisInformation Chronicle • 390 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Masks Social Distancing Public Health Government Response
  1. Florida Grand Jury discovered that average citizens are skeptical of the 'follow the science' messaging regarding masks and social distancing.
  2. The CDC's data on masks from their journal MMWR was criticized for lacking quality science.
  3. Federal officials have hesitated to conduct a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) on masks, possibly due to concerns that the results might not support the effectiveness of masks in preventing the spread of respiratory viruses.
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The Real Science on Masks: They Make No Difference

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5745 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Masks CDC Pandemic Risk Assessment
  1. The most authoritative estimate shows masks do not significantly reduce the spread of Covid-19 or other respiratory illnesses.
  2. Cochrane, a respected health organization, conducted a review concluding that all types of face coverings probably make little or no difference in reducing respiratory illness spread.
  3. The CDC and public health officials continue to recommend masks despite lack of strong evidence, ignoring downsides like social, psychological, and medical problems.

The Media Wants You Wearing N95 Masks Forever

Unmasked • 151 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Masks COVID-19 Vaccines Media Misinformation
  1. The media is pushing for people to wear N95 masks indefinitely, despite lack of evidence on their effectiveness
  2. Vaccines and boosters are being portrayed as insufficient protection against viruses, encouraging continued mask-wearing
  3. Misinformation in the media is causing confusion by spreading inaccurate claims about rising COVID infections and the effectiveness of N95 masks

Now They Tell Us! The Suspicious Shift on Universal Masking in Healthcare Settings

COVID Reason • 1690 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare Masks Pandemic response COVID-19
  1. Experts suggest that universal masking in healthcare settings may not be as necessary as previously claimed due to changing pandemic context.
  2. Downsides of universal masking in healthcare are discussed, such as communication barriers and negative impacts on trust and empathy.
  3. Authors propose managing COVID-19 using Standard Precautions, suggesting a shift from pandemic-era strategies like asymptomatic testing and contact tracing.

The Circle of Death

Break Free with Karen Hunt • 1454 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Environment Public Health Masks Plastics
  1. Masks are made of toxic nanoplastics and were mandated by Dr. Fauci, potentially causing harm to individuals.
  2. Plastics are synthetic and not naturally balanced like David Latimer's terrarium, leading to environmental and health hazards.
  3. Fauci and other health leaders are accused of distorting reality and normalizing untruths, emphasizing the need for independent thinking and scrutiny.

Friday Q&A: COVID, masks, boosters & testing

Are You Okay? • 599 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Masks Vaccines Public Health Medical Advice
  1. High-grade, well-fitted, consistently-worn masks can help protect the individual against infection, but mask mandates have not shown to slow the spread of COVID.
  2. The Cochrane review published in January 2023 concluded that wearing masks 'probably makes little or no difference' to COVID outcomes on a population level.
  3. While masks can offer personal protection, mask mandates in 2023 may not be effective without evidence to support their impact and considering they are not a harm-free intervention.

Friday Q&A: answering your COVID questions

Are You Okay? • 539 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID Prevention Risk Assessment Boosters Masks
  1. Public health experts suggest waiting 6 months after either a vaccine dose or infection to get a COVID booster.
  2. Fit-tested masks may only protect against exposure for a couple of hours; staying away from infected individuals while prioritizing sleep, good food, exercise, and outdoor time are key.
  3. For vulnerable family members, especially those with autoimmune diseases or elderly, balancing social interactions and precautions remains a challenge despite vaccinations and boosters.

Friday Q&A: masks; long COVID; new COVID treatments; & waning immunity

Are You Okay? • 698 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID Long Covid Masks Immunity
  1. The effectiveness of population-level mask mandates is debatable, but wearing a high-quality, well-fitted mask consistently can provide some individual protection against infections.
  2. It's important to acknowledge that COVID is a persistent risk, and while vaccines and immunity help, individuals should assess their personal risk tolerance and take actions to mitigate their exposure.
  3. Stay informed and proactive in managing personal health, including staying up-to-date on vaccinations, addressing underlying health conditions, and boosting overall immunity through nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management.

Return of the mask?

Logging the World • 358 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Public Health Masks Infections Prevention
  1. Masks may help reduce COVID spread, but their impact could be limited. Calls for widespread mask-wearing may not significantly alter infection rates and could be less effective than expected.
  2. Clarity in messaging is crucial. Different perspectives within organizations like Independent SAGE can lead to confusion in public health recommendations. Consistent and clear communication is essential for effective response.
  3. Temporary return to mask-wearing might not have a significant long-term impact. Adherence to such measures could be short-lived and may not prevent exponential growth unless sustained over time.

The COVID-19 Poll Results: Opinions and Comments

The Skeptical Cardiologist • 314 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Masks
  1. 74% of readers think masks work, especially high-quality ones like N95 or KN95 masks.
  2. Ivermectin is not effective at reducing the severity of COVID-19, as shown by high-quality studies.
  3. It's challenging to conduct trials on masks' efficacy, but easier for drugs like ivermectin; complete data can be limited in making public health recommendations.

UK COVID update week starting 21st May 2023

Logging the World • 239 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination Immunity Masks
  1. Current COVID situation in the UK is relatively stable with low hospitalizations and deaths due to gained immunity from vaccines. Admissions and hospital pressures are encouragingly low.
  2. The growth rate of the XBB.1.16 variant is comparable to previous variants, indicating a smaller wave of cases. Expectations are calibrated based on past trends.
  3. Calls for increased masking at this point may not be effective as the R number would likely return to current levels after a short-term mask-wearing period. Public readiness to wear masks may have diminished.

Discover the Art of Crafting Noh Masks in Japan

SJF • 39 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Crafting Masks
  1. Noh masks in Japan date back to the 14th century and play a crucial role in conveying emotions and personalities in Noh theatre.
  2. Artisans who craft Noh masks utilize traditional techniques and hand tools like chisels, saws, gouges, and knives to create intricate pieces.
  3. Nakamura Mitsue demonstrates the detailed process of fashioning Noh masks from a solid block of wood, showcasing 40 years of skill and expertise.

The pendulum swings

Natural Selections • 16 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Privacy Youth Masks
  1. Masks outdoors did not make sense as airflow disperses pathogens and sunlight is healing.
  2. Privacy is important for introspection and personal growth, allowing time for reflection before sharing reactions.
  3. Young people who once shared everything online are now seeking privacy by hiding behind masks, highlighting a transition in behavior.

The problem with R-targeting

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 20 Jan 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology Policies Masks Vaccines
  1. Targeting reproduction numbers (R) in epidemics is common, but focusing on the average R can be misleading because individual variances matter.
  2. Policies like lockdowns and screening programs can be more effective in reducing both average R and its variance, making them reliable indicators of success.
  3. Understanding how policies impact the variance of R is crucial to ensuring sustained mitigation of outbreaks and keeping case numbers down.

Things left lying around

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 11 Sep 20
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Masks Movies
  1. Testing wastewater from dorms can be an effective way to manage the spread of viruses on college campuses.
  2. Health Canada is now considering approving at-home COVID-19 tests, showing a willingness to adapt during the pandemic.
  3. The UK subsidizing restaurant meals results in increased interest, showing that incentives like these can have a positive impact on the economy.

Economists, at conferences, wearing masks

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 03 Sep 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Masks Vaccines Science Decision-making Community
  1. Economists at conferences are debating whether mask mandates should be enforced - valid reasons support the policy include the efficacy of high-grade masks and the encouragement of testing before attendance.
  2. Considerations around whether mask mandates should be individual choices or community decisions are being raised - the discussion extends to vaccine mandates and the public good rationale.
  3. The economy's interaction with pandemic health measures presents a nuanced debate - balancing personal freedoms with ensuring safety in large gatherings.

Do masks work?

News from Those Nerdy Girls • 0 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Masks Transmission Science communication
  1. Despite recent reviews, high quality masks are effective in reducing transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.
  2. Different types of masks, usage, and settings affect their effectiveness in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
  3. There is strong evidence that masks are able to block aerosol transmission and reduce the risk of transmission and infection of COVID-19.