Letter to the Editor: On masks and COVID-19

2 mins read

There are some indisputable fact about COVID-19:

1. The disease is real and people are dying from it. Over 1.6 million Americans have been infected and almost 100,000 have died since February.
2. There is no drug that can cure the infection once someone has it. There are some drugs used in the critical care setting which may improve survival but none are proven yet. Treatment is mostly supportive until the body fights off the infection itself.
3. Sometimes the immune system gets out of control and causes complications worse than the initial infection.
4. There is no vaccine yet to prevent or weaken infection.
5. Infected individuals are contagious to others even before they have symptoms themselves. Microscopic droplets containing virus come out of an infected person’s nose and mouth when they talk, sneeze, cough, sing, etc.and can travel at least six feet in the air.
6. Masks have been shown to reduce the number of these droplets which escape. The President’s COVID response coordinator, Dr. Birx, has this to say about masks: “What we have said to people is there is clear scientific evidence now, by all the droplet experiments that happened, and that others have done, to show that a mask does prevent droplets from reaching others,” Birx said on “Fox News Sunday” when asked what she would tell people who say they have a right not to wear a mask in public.

“Out of respect for each other, as Americans that care for each other, we need to be wearing masks in public when we cannot social distance,” she said.

I’m not sure how wearing a mask in public has become politicized but quarantine, social distancing, and wearing a mask in public are the only current ways to limit the spread of the virus and open up our economy without risking even more loss of life. I urge you all to respect your fellow Mainers by wearing a mask in public if social distancing is not possible.

Jay Naliboff MD
Chesterville

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49 Comments

  1. Dr. Naliboff I’m sure you have heard about the ADA & HIPAA correct? This is a vague description of masks that needs clarity before people start mask shaming like I have seen in other towns very close by on fakebook. Please add some clarity before this oped letter goes wacky with fear mongers comments.

  2. I’m wearing one because better safe than sorry.

    Damn glasses keep fogging up,,
    Too hot to wear it,,
    Seeing so many others not wearing one,,
    Sick of listening to the politicians weaponizing all this,,
    I’m trying here,, I’m really trying!!

    Doc is right though about caring about others,
    If I gotta wear one,, you gotta wear one.
    Please and Thanks.

  3. Dr. Naliboff, this issue has become politicized because the overwhelming number of people who refuse to wear masks are conservatives. As you noted, wearing masks is primarily an action taken for the good of others rather than oneself. Sadly, this behavior is not a strength for conservatives. Across the spectrum of political and cultural topics, conservatives look at what is best for themselves and shun behaviors for the common good.

    Ironically, Covid-19 has succeeded in exposing the hypocrisy in the conservative “right to life” movement. We’ve been told for years that conservatives believe that every human life is precious. Yet this is now the same demographic that doesn’t care enough about human life to put on a mask to help others preserve their lives.

    The tendency to act on your on behalf is far more primitive than the desire to act on behalf of the common good. This why conservatives oppose healthcare for all, immigration reform and a ban on assault weapons. When you only look out for Number One, you never evolve and progress to the point of favoring policies that benefit society as a whole. It’s always about me, myself and I. Conservatives continually distort the interpretation of personal liberty. That concept was never intended on being an absolute at the expense of the public good.

    The conservative mindset would never be considerate enough towards others to put on a mask. Sadly, it is the very composition of those opposing masks that has resulted in the politicization of this issue.

  4. Arnold,
    Perfect timing!
    I commented just before yours explaining that I wear a mask out of concern for others.
    I thought I was conservative, but you say conservatives don’t care about others.
    Now I dont know “what” to call myself. Lol.
    But I’m pretty sure I know what call someone who comments like you….
    Shallow and uninformed.
    And maybe just a wee bit insecure politically.
    Lost.
    Everything is Beautiful.

  5. Ah so it begins Arnold claims only conservatives refuse to wear masks and they are the bad guy in all of this. Here is some real truth to those allegations. Libertarians and some old school democrats also are refusing to wear masks. Maybe they aren’t refusing at all they may have health issues that prevent them from doing so. As I asked the Dr. in my first comment to clarify his letter it is not required for every single person to wear a mask. Even the Maine CDC has in the guidelines that people with copd and asthma etc. are not required to wear a mask. But according to Arnold only conservatives have these issues or are just plain bad. That level of ignorance is why this is being politicized.

  6. Awww: The CDC recommends simple cloth face masks “ Cloth face coverings can be made from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost.” I tend to wear those disposable paper masks but surgical masks and N95 respirators should be reserved for health care workers and first responders.
    Arnold: my aim is not to start a liberal/conservative flame war. There are plenty of Republican officials ( even Mitch McConnell) who are advocating for wearing masks in public.
    I also forgot to mention frequent hand washing, hand sanitizing, and not touching your face as preventative strategies.

  7. It’s not just conservative going without masks. Only people that are buying into the fear are wearing masks. Yes it’s highly political. Because the so called science about the virus and masks is fluid. CDC website keeps changing.W.H.O. caught lying and spreading Chinese propaganda. The very fact that the science and rules change everyday is reason enough to question the motives of the people pushing the masks. I mean what is the reason for hyping this up?

    I said it when the news broke from China. This is a the COLD. No different than any other cold or flue we ever had. They all kill people. People like me get more confirmation every day that this is a manufactured crisis. Dr. Evil Fauci and the Surgeon General both have changed their position on the masks.

    Where are the 2 million dead people CDC projected? Why is it that now it can not be spread by touching objects? How come there is no second wave coming? Could the fact that the science is changing be that its because their is no science? Only pushers of lies.

    If you feel safer with the mask go ahead. I will never question you in public. But if question me for NOT wearing one I will let you have my piece of mind. Only mask wearers are mask shaming. Shame on you. And buy the way what’s with the gloves? Should we be shaming mask wearers for not having gloves?

    Dr. Naliboff should listen to others in his own profession who are being censored for saying quite the opposite before sparking more fear.

    I like how he turned the right to life argument saying conservatives only care about the unborn. Talk about hypocrisy.

    You say my body my choice? I choose to NOT wear a mask for the risk of making myself sick!

  8. Dr. Naliboff,

    i am confused by all the conflicting news. You are much smarter than me so please help me to understand
    these conflicting reports. I have seen recent reports on Fox news and News max and OAN news and they
    all have doctors like yourself on TV and medical researchers from well known universities who are now giving
    new data (from random testing of the population in USA). These results show that there are over 4.2 million
    previously infected folks in California who never had any symptoms or mild symptoms. Other densely
    populated areas had random testing and those areas show similar results, millions infected who never knew
    it. Now these doctors have estimated that the infection rate in the USA is well north of 10 million folks. And
    they further estimate that 99% of the people who get it will have mild symptoms or no symptoms. And i just
    watched a well known doctor say that Covid 19 is no more dangerous to a healthy person than the normal
    flu virus. He did say that it is quite dangerous to the elderly population and those with pre-existing heart and
    lung issues. He also said that the young folks have virtually no risk of death and that only a handful of children have died from covid19, far fewer than the normal flu. And this morning i read a report that the
    WHO “recommends healthy people, including those who don’t exhibit covid 19 symptoms, only wear a face mask when taking care of someone infected with the contagion, a sharp contrast from the advice given by some American public health officials who recommend everyone wear a mask in public.” I also read a text
    message from a local medical professional who gave a screen shot from his office computer at FMH that
    seemed to suggest that the people who do the billing to Medicare or insurance providers code all deaths
    that involve elderly folks as covid19 if there is not an actual written death report from the attending doctor
    or staff. And I have seen numerous news reports that this is happening across the country in other
    medical facilities. It appears that the hospitals (who are struggling financially due to shut downs of all
    elective procedures) can get more money from the Feds for a covid 19 related death. Now i ask you
    to please help me and others understand who we should believe?? Personally, i think there is ALOT of bad
    politics taking place during this flu epidemic. Please give me some followup on this. thank you.

  9. What we have said to people is there is clear scientific evidence now, by all the droplet experiments that happened, and that others have done, to show that a mask does prevent droplets from reaching others,” Birx said on “Fox News Sunday” when asked what she would tell people who say they have a right not to wear a mask in public.

    Where exactly were these “Droplet” experiments done and where were the findings published?

  10. Dr. Naliboff, regarding points #1-6, the same points are all true of the common cold and flu, aren’t they? Except for point #1 of course. As we know, not one American has died of a cold or flu this past winter. Every death that can plausibly be attributed to the Wuhan coronavirus has been attributed to it.

    Serious question here: do you advocate everyone wear masks in public every winter from here on out? Actually, it looks like you’re not even limiting it to winter. On a 90 degree day after Memorial Day you’re asking us to wear masks to slow the spread of a cold virus. So the question is, should we all wear masks in public for the rest of our lives?

  11. Mike,

    Fox,News Max and OANN…..That explains so much. Maybe try getting your information from a respected source for crying out loud. Great way to indicate that you are not educated enough to comment on the situation.

    Tim,

    The ignorance on display in your comment is mesmerizing. So much incorrect propaganda. Keep your Youtube information to your self instead of furthering the disinformation that abounds. Your comment also highlights the me me me and screw you mentality that is plaguing our society. Overall a very telling comment.

    Arnold,

    Nailed it!

  12. Well,,
    I agree with those that won’t tolerate some melting snowflake criticizing them for not wearing a mask. Even if it’s well intentioned. (Which it is often not..).

    I’m no saint by any means but on this one,, I’ve decided to pick my battles and wear the damn thing.

    I agree the numbers are skewed and tainted just like everything else these days.
    Deny it, Minimize it, Politicize it all you want friends but this is “not” your common cold. Very serious.
    Don’t be provocative and self righteous.,,
    like ” them”… (even if it’s fun).

    Everything is Beautiful.

  13. Tim,

    “You say my body my choice? I choose to NOT wear a mask for the risk of making myself sick!”

    Having trouble grasping the fact that the mask is to protect others, not yourself? Get educated my friend and you might stop looking so silly every time you comment!

  14. Jon Snow
    May 29, 2020 • 10:59 am

    Just a question, when insulting people do you find that it helps get your point across? Like most I read your first couple lines and moved on, this ain’t Facebook- if you actually have a point, making it without the insults would maybe make whatever point that is palatable of reading it.

  15. Private Planet
    May 29, 2020 • 11:19 am

    I understand what your saying, my issue is that there are boat loads of research showing masks can cause health issues, even to healthy people.

    I have found no evidence whatsoever of how it helps me, you or our grandmas. Mostly it’s a “stands to reason” mentality for wearing them and that’s really not good enough for me to take the risks I Know are associated with wearing them.

    I also agree that everything is beautiful!

  16. All I can think of is of our older generation..grandparents, veterans and loved one who has passed prematurely due to this insidious disease. I will humbly do as recommended regardless of revision(s).

  17. Dr. Naliboff thank you for responding but you didn’t actually answer my question as to the ADA & HIPAA. How can these two federal laws be trampled on by any state ? These are too protect people with disabilities and can end in lawsuits for business owners if they are not followed. I don’t condemn people for not wearing a mask no more than someone wearing one. My wife has been forced to wear one for her job so she can bring home a paycheck and she has a hard time breathing and it has caused her to have a sore throat since she started wearing them.
    Non Snow you say Mike’s news sources aren’t reliable. One could say that about any news source since 2016. CNN has been caught numerous times lying so was I believe ABC when they showed the video from southern US claiming it was Syria when the President tried to pull troops from there to end these foreign wars people want to end to bring troops home. Obama got my vote his first term because he told us he was going to do just that. The only thing that changed was we ended up in Syria not to mention the Benghazi fiasco where 4 Americans were left to die. Perhaps your news sources need some changes.

  18. Awww,

    I believe that if you look into Hippa closely, it goes out the window when it comes to affecting other people’s health and safety as it is personal protection and does not grant carte blanche to spread illness/disease willy nilly among others.

  19. Thanks Non but I will get my answer from a Dr. of medicine not someone that likes to ridicule people.

  20. I would thank my good friend Dr. Jay Naliboff for this thoughtful evidence based letter. In my opinion wearing a mask in public for a while is such a small thing to ask of people. The vast majority of people can tolerate wearing a mask., I wear one for hours at a stretch at work and have for many years. It truly all comes down to caring, kindness and as Jay stated, Respect .

  21. Awww: To answer your questions better- There are medical reasons not to wear masks and people with those reasons e.g. severe anxiety or claustrophobia, cardiac or pulmonary disease should not be shamed for not wearing one. I don’t think the ADA applies unless one has a documented disability. As far as HIPPA goes, one reason the Maine CDC does not report cases by town is that it would be too easy to identify individuals which would violate their privacy rights.

    Tim: nowhere in my post have I mentioned abortion or right to life. I don’t know where you got that from.

    Mike: The high estimate for influenza deaths from October to April by the CDC was 62,000 over 6 months. Covid -19 has killed over 100,000 people in the course of just over 3 months. This ain’t the common cold.

    Private Planet: I think you’ve got it figured out.

    Happy for all the discussion this has generated.

    JN

  22. Excellent article in today’s NYTimes on herd immunity.
    The gist is you need at least 60% of people with antibodies to reach this level of societal protection.
    At that point mass infections are not so much of an issue, though people will still get sick, especially the vulnerable.
    New York has currently about 20% of population with COVID antibodies, the most in the US.
    My point is this: Mass infection will be an issue everywhere until this 60% threshold is reached or until there is a vaccine.
    Wearing a mask and social distancing have been proven to mitigate the spread and are nearly all we have until then to protect everyone.
    I don’t think it’s a whole lot to ask.
    You might save someone you love.

  23. Again thank you for getting back to me. Would those conditions you stated not fall under the ADA ? Wouldn’t they be disabilities ? As for HIPPA doesn’t it protect people that are being mask shamed as well ? I have seen a number of people being completely rude towards others not wearing a mask.
    There are quite a few in the Kingfield area on their facebook page acting like children with posts. Some actually post pictures of hunters wearing a mask trying to compare the different masks. Some of the things that have been said is totally ignorant.

  24. Where exactly were these “Droplet” experiments done and where were the findings published?

    Dr Naliboff, could you please give me an answer to the above questions? To date I have found absolutely nothing.

    If you google, you can find articles that talk about fitting of masks for health care workers to keep germs out, they use saline to know if someone’s mask is leaking….I find it extremely hard to believe that if it takes this type fitting and testing to be sure you won’t suck the virus in, that just any old cloth will keep it from coming out.

    the CDC was 62,000 over 6 months. Covid -19 has killed over 100,000 people in the course of just over 3 months.

    Covid 19 Killed or 100k plus have died with Covid 19?

    There is a huge distinction, if someone died of lung disease last year they probably weren’t even tested for influenza, I’m not sure the same can be said of Covid due to unprecedented numbers of tests in comparison to typical influenza testing. Cause and correlation are important here….

  25. Jon Snow,

    You, like many millions, probably get your news from CNN or MSNBC or NBC or CBS or ABC. These news
    Sources have been consistently caught spreading false stories!!!! I like FOX and OAN because they interview
    Doctors and other experts from all over the country and they let them speak. I can see and hear actual news.
    So, are you telling me that all those doctors and medical experts who show us actual data and studies are
    All lying??? Why would they put their careers and reputations on the line?? Just to help a conservative news
    Show??? I don’t think so. I have occasionally seen some clips from CNN and MSNBC and they constantly
    Complain and find fault with everything!!!! Holy cow, how can anyone watch this crap for more than a few
    Minutes. And they are the WORST of all liars. They have been busted by other news sources almost weekly
    For false and misleading stories. You should watch some Fox news and OAN sometimes. You may be
    Surprised. By the way, Fox is the leading news organization and has the largest viewership. Do you know why?
    Because they give us real news and they always give the Dems and others equal talking time. They invite
    Members of Congress and other political leaders of both parties onto their broadcasts, but most Dems stay
    Away. I wonder why??? Maybe because they will be asked some tough questions.

    Dr. Naliboff. Thanks for your brief response to my many questions. However, i would like to point out that the
    Death count for covid 19 may be inaccurate by tens of thousands due to those many false codings by the
    Hospitals across the nation who are coding many deaths as covid 19, when they may have been deaths
    Caused by normal things like heart disease or other things that cause old folks to die. Do you admit that the
    100,000 death tally blamed 100% on covid 19 may be inaccurate???

  26. Personally, I wear a mask for exactly the reasons stated in this letter. It is the right thing to do for other people. I have had friends with the disease who were asymptomatic, had no idea they had it until they took an antibody test. Lord knows how many other people they could have infected had they not worn a mask or taking social distancing seriously.

    However, I DO NOT get irate or question when I see others without a mask. There are folks with asthma, PTSD, and other medical reasons not to be wearing a mask. They people pose little harm. It is those who do not have a medical reason for not wearing a mask and then prance around town boasting about it.

    As the Dr. stated this is NOT the common cold or flu. Humans already have a certain degree of immunity to those diseases through biological evolution. Less than 1% of the world population has been exposed (that we know of). There is no biological immunity nor a vaccine that people could take to help boost immunity. We equally do not know the full affects of this disease. Just look at rashes some children with COVID are getting or the permanent lung damage of those who had to go on ventilators. Yes, you might get COVID and experience mild symptoms, but what happens after? Chicken pox comes back as the shingles; who is to say COVID could come back as something worse down the road? We just don’t know.

    Finally, @Tim Storer, what you are describing is SCIENCE. We are dealing with a NOVEL virus; never before seen. There is a lot we do not know. As time goes on and more knowledge is acquired things change. That is life. How often do you watch a 7-day weather report and see how the forecast for that seventh day changes as that day draws closer? The more we know the more precise we can get about what the actual forecast is going to be.

  27. To Dr. Naliboff, I apologize for associating you with the right to life comment. That was in one of the comments.

    To all who say I’m foolish… We shall see…As you ridicule me for my views, the CDC and the WHO are changing their tune again. Turns out you should not wear a mask unless you are working with a Covid patient.(Just came out!) BUT BEWARE, YOUR FAVORITE NEWS IS NOT GOING TO TELL YOU THIS! Seek out the truth! Truth tellers are not allowed to share information…While “Fact checkers” are fact checking opinions of the President they take everything Fauci and Birx say as gospel. So listen to what Fauci is saying now and don’t bother to fact check. Just take off the mask? I mean if your listening to him that’s what you would do.

    From the show G.O.T. : “You know nothing Jon Snow”…You Tube would ban me, for they do not agree…I get my info from sources that do not rely on big tech, big corporations, or big pharma to pay their way. (At one time lefties hated these entities). I only rely on news paid for by listeners and testimony from real citizens, Dr.s, scientists and other professionals who don’t have a political agenda. Do your own fact checking to find the truth,which BTW, does not present itself on your phone or the 1st page of your Google search.

    And whoever said this is different than any other cold or flu is lying as well. If the numbers we face today are the base line for the hysteria than we would have been wearing masks under lock down every day since 1918.

  28. Awww,

    You are indeed the expert on ridicule and I bow to your vast experience. I shouldn’t have expected anything less from you given your track record on the BD.

  29. Just one question, how many of you current mask wears have made it a practice to wear one in public before Covid-19? Just imagine the tens of thousands of Americans whos lives would be saved if they didn’t contract the flu virus. Why wasn’t keeping them safe a priority for you in the past? Maybe this is just a wonderful time for grandstanding.

  30. Thank you Dr. Naliboff for a reasoned response to this unfortunate situation. I am half way through my 14 day quarantine and look forward to enjoying a summer in Maine. Having left the Washington DC area where mask wearing is far from a culture shock but the norm I find it unfortunate that there are some that see it as a political symbol instead of respect for their fellow. As people have said here many times, the use of a mask is to stop the mask wearer from spreading the virus, it is not a barrier to catching the virus.

    And for those that are using HIPAA (one P two A’s when spelled correctly), the regulation only applies to “covered entities”, payers of medical bills and those that provide care. The Maine CDC is neither of these. I find that as lame an excuse as I do the prolonged use of a mask; just ask those OR nurses that wear masks for 12 hours a day regularly as part of their job….

  31. Truth:

    Even with recommended social distancing and unenforced curfews COVID has killed three times more Americans than a flu season. In a couple of months.. Everybody wearing a mask protects everybody until there’s a vaccine.

  32. Jon that is the best thing about being an adult. You know when to ridicule something ridiculous and when to ask serious questions about other pressing issues. I ask these questions be because I have seen people being complete aholes towards strangers for no other reason than fear mongering.
    Ralph when did this be made out to be about the CDC and HIPAA ? HIPAA is to protect people with disabilities. When these mask shamers start in on someone HIPAA is there to protect their privacy of disclosing said disability. These businesses that “require” masks put themselves at risk of lawsuits if they refuse services without an alternative. For example if Walmart refused me entry they are then required to offer curbside pickup or they are in violation of ADA and only if they ask my condition they would be violating HIPAA. This is what I have been asking questions for as some places and people have been violating these laws daily. It is pretty sad this is happening because some let fear run their life.
    It’s going to be a wonderful day folks get out in the sun and boost your immune system!!!!!

  33. If everyone that can would wear a mask when in a place where 6 ft separation can’t be maintained (ie, Walmart, Hannaford) and people who can not wear a mask have someone who can do their shopping maybe Mother Janet would open the stores to unlimited number of shoppers.

  34. Awww,

    HIPAA is a 20 year old law to protect patient privacy and it applies to insurance companies and health care providers, I think you are confusing that with the Americans with Diasabilities Act which does protect people with disabilities. The only entities that need to comply with HIPAA are the ones I named. As a private citizen I can talk about anyone’s health condition without fear of violating HIPAA. Walmart would not be violating HIPAA since they are not paying for care or providing care.

  35. Jay Naliboff
    May 29, 2020 • 5:27 pm
    Reference re cloth masks: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7191114/#!po=2.94118

    Influenza and influenza like illness is monitored by a voluntary network of providers. Influenza associated deaths are found using death certificate data.

    This is a snip of Dr. Milton’s comments from the link provided…

    “In normal times we’d say that if it wasn’t shown statistically significant or the effective in real-world studies, we don’t recommend it,” he said. “But in the middle of a pandemic, we’re desperate. The thinking is that even if it cuts down transmission a little bit, it’s worth trying.”

    As I said, wear a mask if you like- the science does not support it though and at best it is just as I said before “stands to reason” is most people’s mindset for wearing them.

    Harmful Effects of Wearing a Face Mask

    Aside from the lack of scientific evidence pointing to requiring the use of a face mask for preventive measures, several studies have explored the dangers of wearing a face mask, especially for long periods.

    These dangers include increased airway resistance, accumulation of carbon dioxide, hypoxia or inadequate oxygen supply, headaches, and even other life-threatening complications.

    Newer evidence also reveals that the coronavirus may enter the brain in some cases. By wearing a mask, viruses released upon expiration will not be given a chance to escape and will further congregate in the nasal passages. This allows the virus to enter the olfactory nerves and travel further, eventually reaching the brain.

    Dr. Blaylock says that one should not attack or criticize healthy people who do not wear masks, as studies point out that it may be a wise choice after all.

  36. If the experts want to be taken seriously, then please go ten seconds without changing the narrative. Every day I go to Yahoo! news (I’ve been following the train wreck that is the narrative of this virus since December there) and I see a new ‘expert’ come on and completely contradicts what the previous day’s ‘expert’ says.

    We’re asked to believe the experts, yet the ‘experts’ aren’t on the same page as each other. It’s like someone hired 10 ghost writers to write a book, but none of the ghost writers knew what the other was writing so when the book was finally released it was an incoherent mess. That would turn a lot of people off, wouldn’t you say?

    For example, yesterday I stumbled upon this article here on the Daily Bulldog and shortly afterwards someone in the same room as me said that the WHO announced that ‘you don’t need to wear masks unless you’re around someone with COVID-19’. Today I do a search on wearing masks and I come up with a long list of contradictory articles stating to wear a mask and articles stating not to wear a mask because it will increase the rate of infection of the wearer. Honestly, the latter makes sense to me because if you’re wearing a mask you’re going to be constantly touching it by pulling it up, pulling it down, and readjusting it which in turn contaminates your face with whatever was on your hands.

    The narrative has always been that the N9 mask is the only mask effective against the virus, yet we must save them for the medical officials. Somehow, the non-N9 masks are supposed to not be used as a preventative for the wearer, but it’s supposed to prevent others around you from getting it from you if you’re a carrier. How does that make logical sense?

    As for the number of deaths, it’s impossible to tell what the true number is. It’s starting to come out that states have been skewing the numbers to fit their own agenda; it’s low if they want to open ASAP or it’s high if they want to be closed as long as they can. So how do we know whether or not other countries haven’t been playing with their numbers also? What we do know, is that the CDC has recently come out and estimated the death rate to be .26%. Granted, it’s hard to believe any experts due to reasons stated above but to me if it was as virulent and deadly as the media keeps saying it is, we’d all be screwed. But in reality after months of the media hyping it up it turns out only a small percentage of people are seriously affected by it. Everyone else is asymptomatic (although I am curious how they determine an asymptomatic case from a false positive, as it doesn’t sound like the tests are anywhere perfect) or they have minor symptoms.

    The best thing you can do is keep your immune system up. Take your vitamins, especially vitamin D which has been heavily speculated to reduce the more serious effects of the virus. I know I’m not an expert on anything, but I do know that your immune system is your natural wall against such things and if you’ve been sheltering-in-place for the last few months it’s going to be weak and make you more susceptible to whatever microbial terrors lurk out there (not just COVID-19). If there is a more serious second wave like they’ve been saying, I have little doubt it will be because all the people who have been sitting on their couches the past few months will be exposed to the virus and their weakened immune systems wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.

    Cheers,
    Shamus

  37. Neither HIPPAA nor ADA has anything to do with this. As Ralph stated, HIPPAA governs what kind of information a medical provider is allowed to release to anyone other than the patient. It protects you from people who have access to your medical information from sharing it with others.

    ADA protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination by their employer, the federal government, and to a limited extent private businesses. However, in order to obtain rights under ADA you must be able to document your disability by allowing your medical provider to release information normally covered by HIPPAA. Case in point, for example, is the fact that you cannot obtain a handicapped parking-tag without disclosing your need. Once you have the placard, you can use the parking spots that private businesses are supposed to provide. Importantly, a private business does not have to guarantee that the disabled customer can access all areas of the store or all facilities available to non+disabled customer; they’re only required to ensure that can access all services available.

    In terms of COVID-19 and masks that means as long as the business offers curbside pick-up for customers who can’t wear masks, they are not violating your rights under ADA.

  38. Coronavirus isn’t new, they have been around for millennia, this is a new strain and whether natural or man made, weaponized if you believe some of the tinfoil hat crowd. Covid-19 has killed almost 10% of the people who have gotten it in the US. The flu infected 58 million and killed 64,000, that is nowhere near 10%. Common sense says that should we wear masks and practice some social distancing during flu season, it would greatly reduce the spread and the amount of cases. But Americans have been fed a steady diet of, “we are a free people” “we can do whatever we want” “nothing bad will ever happen to us” And they have been lied to so many times(not naming anybody specific because everybody lies) that even the truth offends them. The truth is that when this virus reared its head, nobody knew what it was going to do, was it waterborne, airborne, was it spread by touch, how long could it linger in the air for, how long is the incubation period, those were all unknowns a few months ago, but now that the CDC and Johns Hopkins and others have had time to study it, some things have been made clearer, it is airborne, and in some instances can be transmitted by touch, it can linger in the air for 3 hours and can live on a surface for 2-4 days. Plus it is how science works, trial and error, people were demanding answers and the CDC and surgeon general were giving them based on the information they had, things change, new information is available, so if somethings seem contradictory to that which was given in March, cut them some slack. Naliboff is right though, wearing a cloth mask is not a bad thing, some of them are even quite stylish.

  39. -Jay thanks for writing .We should hear more from the physicians in this community; we have wonderful colleagues here
    -Ralph good to see you! Yes no one should have to endure summer in DC,especially when they can have summer in Maine
    – I submit some references but they may be behind firewalls An article was in JAMA this week
    Wonderful photo of the cloud produced by a sneeze Gos 28 feet! ouch

    I cannot type so I shortened the titles
    – Randomized clinical trial about masks/ fit tests or not, preventing respiratory infections the journal is Influenza Other Resp Viruses 2011 :5(3) p 170 MacIntyre first author
    -Air surface environment contamination from patient JAMA 3/4/20 doi:10,100

    1897 Carl FLugge showed that expiratory droplets settled around an individual
    then work evolved about large and small droplets and aerosols and sizes of particles – what stays inthe air and how long and what gets into lungs- and the somewhat arbitrary droplet diameter as droplet vs aerosol categorizing risk management….
    “even when maximum containment policies were enforced the rapid spread of Covid suggests that droplet size cutoff ( which drives the likely inadequate 6 foot spacing) may not accurately reflect what actually occurs with resp . emissions possibly contributing to the ineffectiveness to limit the spread of disease
    or
    as the NY times noted and as a speaker I once heard said…
    the reason that Japan has fewer deaths is …. the japanese culture
    The reason the Australasian healthcare system works so well is,,,,the australians
    I forgot: On coughing and sneezing J Fluid Mech2014 745

  40. If only .26 % die from Covid-19, why where a mask? Only 865,000 deaths in the US….trivial, eh?

    If I can wear a mask, I will. I have for more than 25 years for various jobs….wearing one to protect others from me, if I am sick? OK, I can do that…I have 865,000 reasons why.

    If you can’t wear a mask because your lungs are already impaired? Big danger then…those with impaired lung function are at great risk of severe consequences. Be careful, social distance!

    If you find your mouth/throat get dried out while wearing a mask…try breathing only through your nose…

    Which experts to believe? Take a risk, and believe that ones that want those 865,000 to live.

  41. Being forced to wear a mask during 1918 epidemic which killed far more people than this supposed pandemic was deemed unconstitutional.. Masks get far more germs when wearing them then not wearing them. I think what we need to do is to look into the people proposing this ludicrous mask wearing to find out they are making billions of dollars on this situation and many of them are directly connected to eugenics operations along with owning the internet, the news and all the media to propagate unwarranted fear against the people in America and the world.

  42. I am disappointed with people trying to make this political. Covid-19 doesn’t give a crap what one’s political orientation is.

    As stated by the good Dr – “this ain’t the flu”. I realize that everyone is getting a bit stir crazy and also worried about the near future and job security. With that said, just remember that Covid-19 is VERY contagious. We are still learning about it. The increase in testing has shown that many more people were infected than first thought, which brought down the mortality rate significantly – BUT over 100,000 people in the US still died and isn’t THAT the key stat of the day?

    This isn’t over by a long shot and, thankfully, we are now learning that many people had the virus and didn’t really even know it. Remember, these people can still pass it on to more at-risk people.

    Focus on the facts that we know and continue to be safe. I commend the people on this comment section who realize that, while uncomfortable, wearing a mask is safer and shows respect for others. Thank you for recognizing this.

    Nice we have a local physician who is willing to post here and to respond. Questioning ‘authority’ is good but a disrespectful attitude toward that ‘authority’ is not.

  43. If only .26 % die from Covid-19, why where a mask? Only 865,000 deaths in the US….trivial, eh?

    If I can wear a mask, I will. I have for more than 25 years for various jobs….wearing one to protect others from me, if I am sick? OK, I can do that…I have 865,000 reasons why.

    If you can’t wear a mask because your lungs are already impaired? Big danger then…those with impaired lung function are at great risk of severe consequences. Be careful, social distance!

    If you find your mouth/throat get dried out while wearing a mask…try breathing only through your nose…

    Which experts to believe? Take a risk, and believe the ones that want those 865,000 to live.

  44. I appreciate your right to not wear a mask, if you will appreciate my right to not be exposed to you, and you will stay out of public spaces (like stores). Feel free to boost your immune system and breathe fresh air, but do it in your own private space (we have plenty of space available in Maine) and stay away from the rest of us. If you don’t want to engage in the social contract of “this might keep other people from getting sick, so I’ll go along” then maybe you should choose to disengage from all contact until you feel more like a part of the solution, instead of a staunch individualist part of the problem.

  45. The Privacy Rule standards address the use and disclosure of individuals’ health information (known as “protected health information”) by entities subject to the Privacy Rule. These individuals and organizations are called “covered entities.” The Privacy Rule also contains standards for individuals’ rights to understand and control how their health information is used.
    This is about half of the first paragraph of HIPAA law. The last sentence says an individual the right to control how their health info is used. Reading down the rest of the law there are other lines stating this as well. It seems to me that HIPAA also protects people’s health conditions from having to be exposed in public if said person doesn’t want to disclose them. Either way people are protected under ADA or HIPAA from being ridiculed or harassed by those out there that I have seen being so childish about someone without a mask.
    There is some not wearing masks because they don’t believe and some who have legitimate health reasons my point is let’s not jump on someone because they’re not wearing a mask. It may save you some time and money in court.

  46. Ozerki
    May 30, 2020 • 3:15 pm
    I am disappointed with people trying to make this political. Covid-19 doesn’t give a crap what one’s political orientation is.

    Over 100,000 people in the US still died and isn’t THAT the key stat of the day?

    Focus on the facts that we know and continue to be safe.

    Nice we have a local physician who is willing to post here and to respond. Questioning ‘authority’ is good but a disrespectful attitude toward that ‘authority’ is not.

    I agree it shouldn’t be political, The problem some of us have with the 100K figure is just what I said earlier Dying from covid 19 is entirely different then dying with covid 19.

    Which facts are we talking about?

    Senior centers and hospitals, rehabilitation homes etc…needed to be locked down earlier, not have Covid positive patients admitted. We brought hospital ships to ports, built tent city hospitals (none of which were used) because the initial guess’s were wrong. Now were being subjected to this daily crap because no one wants to admit they were wrong to destroy the economy.

    I think you way underestimate the damage done to our economy and how many will die as a result of that. I do not value money over people but I am a realist and understand many Will die because of lack of money.
    (not might, or possibly, starvation Will definitely kill people. Depression Will definitely kill people…etc.)

    Lastly I agree that it is nice to have a local physician posting and aiding in this discussion, I have seen no post that was disrespectful of the Dr…Maybe you just see it that way because some do not agree with him?

    wait a minute…
    May 31, 2020 • 6:46 am
    I appreciate your right to not wear a mask, if you will appreciate my right to not be exposed to you, and you will stay out of public spaces (like stores). Feel free to boost your immune system and breathe fresh air, but do it in your own private space (we have plenty of space available in Maine) and stay away from the rest of us. If you don’t want to engage in the social contract of “this might keep other people from getting sick, so I’ll go along” then maybe you should choose to disengage from all contact until you feel more like a part of the solution, instead of a staunch individualist part of the problem.

    I always strive to stay as far away from people who think like you do, ALWAYS…..

    IF we were to all quit Driving and air/boat travel we can easily close to 100K lives every single year, IF we were to ban all alcohol and tobacco usage we can save another 4-500K people from dying. IF you allow an authority to lock you in your home and only allow you out for work or verified outdoor time there is another big number of people who who not die from accidents such as falling.

    IF that sounds like that is all crazy to you- then stop and consider the lock-down and gag order, oops…I meant mask order.

    So, no I will not “go along to get along” because it can only get crazier from here….

  47. Mike
    Your defense of Fox ‘News’ is absurd.
    In February 2004, Fox News won a legal appeal that fox news had no legal obligation to be truthful in its reporting. The Court agreed that Fox had indeed been untruthful but ultimately agreed with Fox’s argument that the FCC’s policy against the intentional

  48. Re Mike continued
    FCC’s policy against the intentional falsification of the news is not a legal mandate, requirement or regulation and that Fox may falsify news reports.

    FL 13th District
    New World Communications of Tampa, Inc. V Jane Akre
    Case Number 2D01-529

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