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I guess we are back on #masks again today. (And goggles, too!?) 
Again: Burden of proof is on GOVT to prove needed, no solution less invasive of #liberty. Why do we keep reversing this? Plenty of evidence that masks can be harmful, esp. cloth masks. Burden of proof not met. /1
Again: Burden of proof is on GOVT to prove needed, no solution less invasive of #liberty. Why do we keep reversing this? Plenty of evidence that masks can be harmful, esp. cloth masks. Burden of proof not met. /1
âThis study is the first RCT of cloth #masks, and the results caution against the use of cloth masksâŠ.Moisture retention, reuse of cloth masks and poor filtration may result in increased risk of infection.â /2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4420971/
Study of cloth #masks over time & what happens after washing: "We found that efficiency dropped by 20% after the 4th washing and drying cycle." Cloth masks "are not effective, and that effectiveness deteriorates if used after washing and drying cycles." /3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6599448/
âWe included 15 randomised trials investigating the effect of masks.....Compared to no #masks there was no reduction of influenza-like illness or influenza for masks in the general population, nor in healthcare workers.â /4 https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.30.20047217v2
"Breathing through N95 #mask materials have been shown to impede gaseous exchange and impose an additional workload on the metabolic system of pregnant healthcare workers.â /5 https://aricjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13756-015-0086-z
â[C]loth masks and other fabric materials tested in the study had 40â90% instantaneous penetration levels....A poor filtration performance is expected for improvised fabric materials bc these materials are not designed for respiratory protection.â /6 https://academic.oup.com/annweh/article/54/7/789/202744
Studied the leakage that comes out the side of masks: âSurgical and hand-made masks, and face shields, generate several leakage jets, including intense backward and downwards jets that may present major hazards.â /7
https://arxiv.org/abs/2005.10720
https://arxiv.org/abs/2005.10720
"surgical and hand-made masks, and face shields, generate significant leakage jets that have the potential to disperse virus-laden fluid particles by several metres." /8
https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/2005/2005.10720.pdf
https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/2005/2005.10720.pdf
âGeneral masks and handkerchiefs have no protection function in terms of the aerosol filtration efficiency.â âMedical #masks, general masks, and handkerchiefs were found to provide little protection against respiratory aerosols.â /9 https://aaqr.org/articles/aaqr-13-06-oa-0201.pdf
"The masks, contrary to expectation, were worn cheerfully and universally...[yet] no effect on the epidemic curve was to be seen. Something was plainly wrong with our hypotheses.â /10
https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.10.1.34
https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.10.1.34
âMasks have not been demonstrated to have a degree of efficiency that would warrant their compulsory application for the checking of epidemics.â
/11
https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.10.1.34
/11
https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.10.1.34
âA mask alone will not prevent health care workers with early Covid-19 from contaminating their hands and spreading the virus to patients and colleagues. Focusing on universal masking alone may, paradoxically, lead to more transmission of Covid-19.....â/12 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2006372
Effect of a surgical mask on six minute walking distance: âWearing a surgical mask modifies significantly and clinically dyspneaâŠ.â /13 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29395560/
âExercising w/ facemasks may reduce available Oxygen & increase air trapping preventing substantial carbon dioxide exchange. The hypercapnic hypoxia may potentially increase acidic environment, cardiac overload, anaerobic metabolism & renal overload.."/14 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32590322
âWe found no significant reduction in influenza transmission with the use of face masks.â /15 https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/5/19-0994_article
âTen RCTs were included in meta-analysis, and there was no evidence that face masks are effective in reducing transmission of laboratory-confirmed influenza.â /16
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/329439/WHO-WHE-IHM-GIP-2019.1-eng.pdf?ua=1
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/329439/WHO-WHE-IHM-GIP-2019.1-eng.pdf?ua=1
âThe evidence is not sufficiently strong to support widespread use of facemasks as a protective measure against COVID19.â /17 https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.01.20049528v1.full.pdf
âNone of the studies we reviewed established a conclusive relationship between mask/respirator use and protection against influenza infection.â /18 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5779801
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare:
âIf a mask is used incorrectly, it may even increase the risk of contracting coronavirus.â "There are no clear standards for making cloth face masks. Therefore, their protective effect cannot be guaranteed." /19 https://thl.fi/en/web/infectious-diseases-and-vaccinations/what-s-new/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-updates/transmission-and-protection-coronavirus/using-cloth-face-masks-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic
âIf a mask is used incorrectly, it may even increase the risk of contracting coronavirus.â "There are no clear standards for making cloth face masks. Therefore, their protective effect cannot be guaranteed." /19 https://thl.fi/en/web/infectious-diseases-and-vaccinations/what-s-new/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-updates/transmission-and-protection-coronavirus/using-cloth-face-masks-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic
Norwegian Institute of Public Health:
âThe effect of medical face #masks is well-documented.... there is considerable uncertainty about the effect of non-medical face masks. The research so far indicates that they are less effective...." /20 https://www.fhi.no/en/op/novel-coronavirus-facts-advice/facts-and-general-advice/hand-hygiene-cough-etiquette-face-masks-cleaning-and-laundry/
âThe effect of medical face #masks is well-documented.... there is considerable uncertainty about the effect of non-medical face masks. The research so far indicates that they are less effective...." /20 https://www.fhi.no/en/op/novel-coronavirus-facts-advice/facts-and-general-advice/hand-hygiene-cough-etiquette-face-masks-cleaning-and-laundry/
Danish Health Authority
âIn general, you do not have to wear a face #mask in public. . . . You must use the face mask correctly as otherwise, it can do more harm than good.â /21 https://www.sst.dk/en/english/corona-eng/faq
âIn general, you do not have to wear a face #mask in public. . . . You must use the face mask correctly as otherwise, it can do more harm than good.â /21 https://www.sst.dk/en/english/corona-eng/faq
New Zealand Ministry of Health
âThere is no convincing evidence one way or other to require the use of non-medical face #masks for healthy people in the community to protect from COVID-19. There are potential benefits & potential risks with such use.â /22 https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-general-public/covid-19-use-face-masks-community
âThere is no convincing evidence one way or other to require the use of non-medical face #masks for healthy people in the community to protect from COVID-19. There are potential benefits & potential risks with such use.â /22 https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-general-public/covid-19-use-face-masks-community
WHO (yes, current guidance): âAt the present time, the widespread use of #masks by healthy people in the community setting is not yet supported by high quality or direct scientific evidence & there are potential benefits & harms to consider.â /23 https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/1279750/retrieve
Hendrik Streeck, director of the Institute of virology & HIV Research at Univ. Bonn: âPeople crumple the #masks in the pocket, touch you constantly, [strap to] mouth, probably unwashed.â âThis is a wonderful breeding ground for bacteria and fungi.â /24 https://healthnews2me.com/fitness/a-virologist-and-who-to-clarify-the-mouth-nose-protection-can-be-a-breeding-ground-for-many-germs/
Swedish state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell: âThe virus can gather in the #mask and when you take it off, the virus can be transferred to your hands and thereby spread further" "nothing suggests that they help protect you from air-borne viruses.â /25 https://www.thelocal.se/20200514/explained-why-is-sweden-not-recommending-face-masks-to-the-public
Again, the burden of proof is on the GOVERNMENT. It has to prove good cause to invade your #liberty in this way. Does it look to you like they've done it? We are a free people. #Mask or no mask, decide for yourself. /26 @TexasGOP @texasdemocrats @morganmeyertx @NathanForTexas
As a side note, the reason I had time to put this long string together is bc I am currently sitting in my car in a parking lot. I can't go into the gym where my kid is playing sports bc of @GregAbbott_TX's #mask mandate & a personal health reason that I can't wear a mask.... /27
So for those who think that those of us w/health considerations are living life unaffected bc pple understand no #mask: Think again. /28
And I am happy to share my personal feelings about masks again, here, because I hope I encourage others to speak out. #Masks aren't helping the pandemic curve. They are hurting a lot of people & keeping us down psychologically, though. /29 and END https://twitter.com/TaraRoss/status/1281604877060382720?s=20
@DrStevenHotze I assume you know about these studies for your lawsuit, but tagging you to be sure. There are more than these, even. I just got tired of chronicling them. 
