Learning how to wear masks essential for the public

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By Larry Quick

Eleventh in a series

The previous part is at thevoice.us/governmental-policy-makers-rely-on-ethics-science-research.

This week we conclude our review of the issues surrounding face coverings. Let’s consider the use of face mask respirators at work-places. A face mask respirator is a device designed to protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous atmospheres, including airborne microorganisms. Before mandating that all employees use face-mask respirators, the Occupational and Safety Heath Administration (OSHA) requires employers to follow a rigorous protocol. This protocol includes an employee-medical evaluation to determine if the employee safely may wear a face mask respirator, a facial fit evaluation, training in how to properly don and remove a respirator, training in how to properly clean and store a respirator, and guidance on when and how to dispose of a respirator.

Many employers are not following these OSHA safety standards. Tammy Clark and Kristen Meghan, two long-experienced, OSHA-certified PPE experts, identify the OSHA respirator protocol and safety standards that many employers are violating, placing their employees’ health at risk. thehighwire.com/videos/mask-whistleblowers-tell-all.

In clinical settings such as hospitals, medical clinics, doctor’s offices, and nursing homes, mask mandates are often medically justified. However, many individuals including physicians, are concerned about all-population mask mandates for healthy individuals, outside of clinical settings.

Dr. James Meehan, MD wrote:

“Mask-wearing has well-known risks that have been well-studied and they’re not being discussed in the risk analysis. I’m seeing patients that have facial rashes, fungal infections, and bacterial infections. Reports coming from my colleagues, all over the world, are suggesting that the bacterial pneumonias are on the rise.”

“Why might that be? Because untrained members of the public are wearing medical masks, repeatedly… in a non-sterile fashion… They’re becoming contaminated. They’re pulling them off of their car seats, off the rear-view mirror, out of their pockets, from their countertops, and they’re reapplying masks that should be worn fresh and sterile every single time.” bit.ly/2H4anCH

Are there physical and psychological risks that might be posed by extended and improper use of face masks? Physicians, scientists, and psychologists have identified several risks including widespread discomfort, impaired breathing, impaired vision (e.g., fogging of glasses), impaired communication, psychological and social distancing, skin irritation and infections, impaired self-expression, prolonged exposure to bacterial cultures near the eyes, nose and mouth, possible collection and delivery of viral pathogens that would otherwise not be inhaled, and possible amplification of the exhaled aerosol size-fraction of infectious particles. www.researchgate.net

Full disclosure requires that citizens be informed of both the potential benefits and potential risks that extended face masks wearing may engender. Health authorities should provide education and training in the proper usage, cleaning and storage of face masks. Finally, government agencies should inform the public of any medical risks that extended face-mask wearing may entail?

Should an individual choose, or is required to wear a face mask respirator, proper education and training are essential to avoid unhealthy medical outcomes. If you, or someone you know, have experienced one or more of these outcomes, from a face mask mandate, please share your story with us at community@thevoice.us.

Next week we will consider the effectiveness of the Illinois lockdown that governor JB Pritzker initiated March 17.

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