Thread/
Why do people not trust “experts”, the govt or the media?

Here’s a little bit on what happened around masks.

While some will say the science changed or the information changed, it did not. The politics changed (as admitted in the
thread)…
First, studies back to 2007 recommended mask wearing as protocol for similar respiratory viruses. This was known by “experts”. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2190272/; https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/0003-4819-151-7-200910060-00142; https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/27/health/us-coronavirus-face-masks.html
More Americans Should Probably Wear Masks for Protection

Experts have started to question whether masks may offer at least some protection to healthy individuals and essential workers.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2190272/
Here’s what we were told.
February 2020, people were buying masks on their own. The US Surgeon general said to STOP https://twitter.com/Surgeon_General/status/1233725785283932160?s=20
February 2020, Wapo- “How to prepare for coronavirus in the U.S. (Spoiler: Not sick? No need to buy any masks.)” (you may need to scroll the thread to see tweet) https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1232659684047441922?s=20
February 2020, CNN “There's been a run of surgical masks in the US because of the coronavirus scare. You don't need them, physicians say.” https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/28/health/coronavirus-us-masks-prevention-trnd/index.html
There's been a run of surgical masks in the US because of the coronavirus scare. You don't need...

Americans are buying up surgical masks from major retailers to protect themselves from the novel coronavirus despite the CDC's position that the virus poses a low threat to the US. Some masks are...

https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/28/health/coronavirus-us-masks-prevention-trnd/index.html
CNN again “Masks can't stop the coronavirus in the US, but hysteria has led to bulk-buying and price-gouging” https://edition.cnn.com/asia/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-02-29-20-intl-hnk/h_60c0416ca901c2006c1c7c91010b70a4
Masks can't stop the coronavirus in the US, but hysteria has led to bulk-buying and price-gouging

Panic over the novel coronavirus is hitting a fever pitch in the US. And despite repeated pleas from health officials not to purchase them, Americans can't stop snatching up masks and respirators.

https://edition.cnn.com/asia/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-02-29-20-intl-hnk/h_60c0416ca901c2006c1c7c91010b70a4
MSNBC: “Frequent hand-washing, not wearing a face mask, is the most important step the public can take to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the WHO says.” https://twitter.com/msnbc/status/1233478252502638598?lang=en
March- Masks can be hurtful! CNN: “Masks may actually increase your coronavirus risk if worn improperly, surgeon general warns.” https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/02/health/surgeon-general-coronavirus-masks-risk-trnd/index.html
Masks may actually increase your coronavirus risk if worn improperly, surgeon general warns

The US surgeon general not only wants people to stop buying facemasks to prevent coronavirus, but warns that you actually might increase your risk of infection if facemasks are not worn properly.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/02/health/surgeon-general-coronavirus-masks-risk-trnd/index.html
WaPo- Epidemiology experts said the most important aspect of preparedness costs nothing at all — calm. (you may need to scroll the thread to see tweet) https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1234608356888915968?s=20
WaPo - If you’re not already sick and you’re not a health-care worker, you don’t need to wear a mask. And you certainly don’t need to buy every box your local pharmacy has in stock. (you may need to scroll the thread to see tweet) https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1234609543323291648?s=20
House Rep Eric Swalwell “stop wearing masks #coronavirus” https://twitter.com/joedc711/status/1280544978305871877?s=20
End of March- NBC News criticizes the President for being fixated on masks and arguing with experts who said not to wear them…
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/mismanagement-missed-opportunities-how-white-house-bungled-coronavirus-response-n1158746
ABC News tweeted, “There is little benefit to wearing a surgical type mask, and may even put you at greater risk for spreading infection, infectious disease doctors told ABC News.” https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1241863081220849664
The CDC changed their position early April. Outlets say *that* was political. Daily Beast: https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-expected-to-encourage-americans-to-wear-masks-to-combat-coronavirus
Trump Says Wearing Masks to Combat Coronavirus Is a ‘Voluntary’ Health Measure and He Won’t Wear One

Some in the administration feared that an announcement recommending that all Americans wear masks would open them up to accusations that they got it wrong at the onset.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-expected-to-encourage-americans-to-wear-masks-to-combat-coronavirus
June & July 2020, Dr. Fauci himself admitted that the public was intentionally misled for months because of a concern of limited resources supplies for medical professionals. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/07/01/886299190/it-does-not-have-to-be-100-000-cases-a-day-fauci-urges-u-s-to-follow-guidelines; https://www.businessinsider.com/fauci-mask-advice-was-because-doctors-shortages-from-the-start-2020-6
Fauci said US government held off promoting face masks because it knew shortages were so bad that...

Anthony Fauci said medical shortages were a reason the public was discouraged from using masks early in the coronavirus pandemic.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/07/01/886299190/it-does-not-have-to-be-100-000-cases-a-day-fauci-urges-u-s-to-follow-guidelines
Fast forward to December, Fauci moves the goalposts on herd immunity: https://www.axios.com/fauci-goalposts-herd-immunity-c83c7500-d8f9-4960-a334-06cc03d9a220.html
NYT: Fauci acknowledges moving goalposts on herd immunity from COVID-19

Fauci previously cited 60% to 70% as the level of infection or vaccination needed.

https://www.axios.com/fauci-goalposts-herd-immunity-c83c7500-d8f9-4960-a334-06cc03d9a220.html
The moral of the story is stop holding these people up as heroes, be skeptical, do your own research, and cut people slack for “not following experts” who consistently and intentionally misled them.

The science didn't change. The politics did.
You can follow @caroljsroth.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled:
Those who think consciousness raising & movement building are disconnected, or even a distraction from electoral politics have not paid attention to the history of social change.In this thread, we
Read more
The 2020s will be known as the Remote Work decadeA few predictions of what is likely to emerge[ a thread ] Third Space: Office and Working from Home will
Read more
1/29: Have you ever had a concept explained to you that helps frame complex issues you’ve been wrestling with and opens your eyes to new possibilities? A concept that I
Read more
By continuing to use the site, you are consenting to the use of cookies as explained in our Cookie Policy to improve your experience.