New publications on masking against respiratory diseases, meanings of ‘Misinformation’ in the Covid Era - from Canadian Scientists and ... politicians
August 2024 'Who Can Tell Me The Truth' news digest
The following new evidence has been added to https://www.ivim.ca/evidence/masks, quoted below:
Mar 2024: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10894839/
6 September 2024:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1526054224000745
Both have very strong conclusions!
Child mask mandates for COVID-19: a systematic review
Abstract
Background
Mask mandates for children during the COVID-19 pandemic varied in different locations. A risk-benefit analysis of this intervention has not yet been performed. In this study, we performed a systematic review to assess research on the effectiveness of mask wearing in children.
Methods
We performed database searches up to February 2023. The studies were screened by title and abstract, and included studies were further screened as full-text references. A risk-of-bias analysis was performed by two independent reviewers and adjudicated by a third reviewer.
Results
We screened 597 studies and included 22 in the final analysis. There were no randomised controlled trials in children assessing the benefits of mask wearing to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infection or transmission. The six observational studies reporting an association between child masking and lower infection rate or antibody seropositivity had critical (n=5) or serious (n=1) risk of bias; all six were potentially confounded by important differences between masked and unmasked groups and two were shown to have non-significant results when reanalysed. Sixteen other observational studies found no association between mask wearing and infection or transmission.
Conclusions
Real-world effectiveness of child mask mandates against SARS-CoV-2 transmission or infection has not been demonstrated with high-quality evidence. The current body of scientific data does not support masking children for protection against COVID-19.
Face masks and protection against COVID-19 and other viral respiratory tract infections: Assessment of benefits and harms in children
Abstract
Mask mandates for children were implemented at schools and childcare centers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the US continues to recommend masking down to the age of two in certain settings. Medical interventions should be informed by high-quality evidence and consider the possibility of harm (i.e., include harm-benefit analyses). In this review, we weigh the existing evidence for the effectiveness of mask mandates to protect against COVID-19 and other viral respiratory tract infections and the harms associated with optional or compulsory masking in children.
There is no robust evidence of benefit from masking children to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or other respiratory viruses. The highest quality evidence available for masking children for COVID-19 or other viral respiratory tract infections has failed to find a beneficial impact against transmission. Mechanistic studies showing reduced viral transmission from use of face masks and respirators have not translated to real-world effectiveness. Identified harms of masking include negative effects on communication and components of speech and language, ability to learn and comprehend, emotional and trust development, physical discomfort, and reduction in time and intensity of exercise.
Effectiveness of child masking has not been demonstrated, while documented harms of masking in children are diverse and non-negligible and should prompt careful reflection. Recommendations for masking children fail basic harm-benefit analyses.
From Dr. Claudia Chaufan
Claudia Chaufan, Natalie Hemsing, Camila Heredia, and Jennifer McDonald.
“Trust Us—We Are the (COVID-19 Misinformation) Experts: A Critical Scoping Review of Expert Meanings of ‘Misinformation’ in the Covid Era.” COVID 4, no. 9 (September 2024): 1413–39. https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4090101.
Claudia Chaufan, MD, PhD
Canadian Academics for COVID Ethics
https://www.academics4covidethics.ca/
Associate Professor
Health Policy & Global Health York University
Profile in the Faculty of Health
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From Dr. David J. Speicher,
I wanted to bring your attention to the Australian GMO case and why it’s so significant. Here’s a really good documentary highlighting my work and why it’s important: https://www.thegmocase.info/
David J. Speicher, PhD DTM
Canadian Virologist
Senior Research Associate, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
Twitter | @DJSpeicher Substack | Courageous Truth: @drdavidspeicher
Notable Publication | https://osf.io/preprints/osf/mjc97 (“DNA fragments detected in monovalent and bivalent Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna modRNA COVID-19 vaccines from Ontario, Canada: Exploratory dose response relationship with serious adverse events”)
Canada’s Senate is set to consider the Pandemic Prevention & Preparedness Bill (C-293) on Sept 17.
Official link: Bill C-293. https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/44-1/bill/C-293/first-reading
This is what the MP said about this bill two years ago.
In summary, there is NOTHING in the Bill
—>to fight off disease without the use of pharmaceutical products
—>dealing with potential conflicts of interest when it comes to vaccine approvals
—>to ensure mistakes made during COVID-19 are not repeated and current evidence is used
You decide whether Canada needs such Bill. To find more about this Bill, go to:
https://canucklaw.ca/bill-c-293-international-pandemic-treaty-revisited/
As always, exercise your critical thinking to discern truth from misinformation, stay informed and positive. Act according to your knowledge, when you can. Many elections are coming, you have a role to play!