Masks A post or two ago I mentioned a meta-analysis about masks and forgot to include a hyperlink to the study. I know many of you are looking for it, so here it is. In short, the authors pooled 72 studies to assess how different public health mitigation measures (like masks, socially distancing, handwashing, etc.) impacted COVID19 infection. They found that some public health measures don’t really work. But, mask wearing reduced COVID19 infection by 53%. (For the record, this isn’t the only publication that shows masks work. For example,
For the mask chart - what are the parameters of people's exposure with these varying levels of protection? For example, are they indoors? Well ventilated, or not? How far apart are they from each other? I'm hoping to understand the context better, because this chart fuels either "everyone needs K/N 95" or "masks don't work".
The table showing mask effectiveness was enough for me to go out and grab a stack of N95s. I had been wearing multi-layer cloth masks, but if N95s are that much better, then I'm convinced.
Looking at that table from the WSJ, it takes 15 minutes for my kid to be infected in school without masks, but if they don their paw patrol masks, he gets an extra 12 minutes until infected? But maybe up to an hour if we swap to surgical masks?
School is 7 hours long.
Love your posts, but this particular issue doesn't make sense. Parents should be able to choose if their kids can enjoy school without masks and take the 15 minute risk over not seeing each other's faces for the extra 12-45 minutes of "protection".
If masking reduces infection by 53% would we expect to see about 53% fewer cases in an area that masks all the time versus a similar area that doesn’t mask at all? (Assuming demographics are similar)
That table is from Spring 2021, so I think pre-Delta, even. What is the divisor because R0 is much larger for Omicron? If Omicron R0=5.0, and original variant on which this is based was 1.0 (i.e. 1/5), then for example, is 15 minutes for no masks really = 15/5 = 3 minutes?
I love this chart showing the length of time for risk of exposure per varying masks, but when I looked closely I realized it is based on PRE-Omicron studies. In fact, that 15 minutes info is from the very first variant. I wonder what an up-to-date chart would look like?
Has there been any research on Long Covid and vaccination status? We're curious how protected we might be IF we contract Omicron (AZ, PZ, PZ or PZx2+booster). Thanks
Thank you for your insights on this mess we find ourselves in. There have been other intriguing mitigation strategies that have just not been considered for further testing. For example, did you ever read that study on that virus-killing polypeptide nasal spray? It was tested in ferrets and was found to stop COVID transmission, but it never made it to market. I would have totally bought it if it did. I have a PhD in Immunology, so I keep my ear to the ground and I stumbled on something similar - monolaurin (lauricidin) isolated from coconut oil, which disrupts the viral envelope, so it kills all enveloped viruses in vitro. A scientist at the University of Iowa tested it in human volunteers; his readout measure was a reduction in Staph aureus levels when applied as a nasal gel to the anterior nares (it also kills certain bacteria). I got the recipe from him and made it (and have been using it for about a year now). It's obviously safe, but I have no idea how effective. I would LOVE to know. If it reduces transmission to a degree (chances are it will), it will atleast help at the times that our masks need to be off to eat/drink. Plus it's a layer bolstering the other somewhat, but not fully effective layers of protection we don. There was also a study in Nature that showed that higher blood levels of monolaurin correlated with protection against COVID. While correlation is not causation, all of this makes you wonder and also bang your head in frustration that further studies are not being done. The scientist met many dead ends with funding support, in this messed-up, bewildering world we live in, where strategies to reduce transmission of ALL variants and other enveloped respiratory viruses are not even considered for further testing. I've written a blog referencing the studies I mention on this (and the recipe for the nasal gel) in case anyone is interested (next comment). It's safe to use and cheap to make, so it goes to my Hail Mary pile of strategies to stay safe, that supplement all the recommended ones (vaccinating, boosting, masking).
Thank you! I'm curious about the WSJ mask table. I've been hearing for a while that wearing a mask protects others from you, more than it protects you (though it does both). But this table is symmetric, so shows the same level of protection regardless of who is wearing the mask. Is this oversimplified, or is it truly symmetric?
Is that chart up to date??? It says Spring 2021, but we are in 2022 now with a few variants out since. What variant does that chart relate to? That chart is exactly what I have been looking for but updated/current situation.
but is there any scientific data behind the shortening of the quarantine time from 10 to 5 days? was there ever any scientific data behind excluding classrooms from contact tracing? my kid's school is using the exception from contact tracing to refuse to let families know if someone in their kid's classroom tests positive.
@Katelyn, thoughts on the use of (K)N95s in the general public? On the pro side, better filtreation. On the con side, proper fitting is difficult, and in general terms, a well-fitting N95.... hurts when worn for long periods. I'm not sure they're going to work well for the public.
Dr Jetelina - I hope this message finds you. I am a subscribing member but not aware of how to send questions to you directly. Really appreciate this flow chart regarding masking and isolation. Thank you. I have 2 subjects I am very eager for your input on. 1) Can you give an update about the Moderna trials for kids especially 6mth-5year. I hear there is some promise here that will be faster than waiting on the Pfizer "re-do". 2) Can you shed some light on when the CDC will update the guidance for DAYCAREs and school facilities with quarantining. I know its at the state level by my state (IL) is waiting for CDC and currently their documentation still says any EXPOSURE positive or not...testing or not... requires all children "exposed" home for 14 days AND we pay for it! Why has the CDC reduced quarantine for even the unvaccinated but children have their routines destroyed and parents cant work... its a nightmare! Do you see any end to this?? Thank you for all you do! You have been a godsend!!!
Can you comment on data indicating flu deaths have dropped by somewhere like 75% during the covid era? There are several reasons that might contribute to this, but if masks etc are the main reason, is it reasonable to use that to extrapolate what the covid deaths might have been without masking/distance/shutdowns? My back of envelope suggests over 3 million - and that is separate from any vaccine effect.
For scenario yellow (vaxxed but not boosted), what if you completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna LESS than 6 months ago. There is no option for this on the chart. Is it the Green arrows, No Quarantine?
For the mask chart - what are the parameters of people's exposure with these varying levels of protection? For example, are they indoors? Well ventilated, or not? How far apart are they from each other? I'm hoping to understand the context better, because this chart fuels either "everyone needs K/N 95" or "masks don't work".
The table showing mask effectiveness was enough for me to go out and grab a stack of N95s. I had been wearing multi-layer cloth masks, but if N95s are that much better, then I'm convinced.
Looking at that table from the WSJ, it takes 15 minutes for my kid to be infected in school without masks, but if they don their paw patrol masks, he gets an extra 12 minutes until infected? But maybe up to an hour if we swap to surgical masks?
School is 7 hours long.
Love your posts, but this particular issue doesn't make sense. Parents should be able to choose if their kids can enjoy school without masks and take the 15 minute risk over not seeing each other's faces for the extra 12-45 minutes of "protection".
If masking reduces infection by 53% would we expect to see about 53% fewer cases in an area that masks all the time versus a similar area that doesn’t mask at all? (Assuming demographics are similar)
That table is from Spring 2021, so I think pre-Delta, even. What is the divisor because R0 is much larger for Omicron? If Omicron R0=5.0, and original variant on which this is based was 1.0 (i.e. 1/5), then for example, is 15 minutes for no masks really = 15/5 = 3 minutes?
I love this chart showing the length of time for risk of exposure per varying masks, but when I looked closely I realized it is based on PRE-Omicron studies. In fact, that 15 minutes info is from the very first variant. I wonder what an up-to-date chart would look like?
Has there been any research on Long Covid and vaccination status? We're curious how protected we might be IF we contract Omicron (AZ, PZ, PZ or PZx2+booster). Thanks
Thank you for your insights on this mess we find ourselves in. There have been other intriguing mitigation strategies that have just not been considered for further testing. For example, did you ever read that study on that virus-killing polypeptide nasal spray? It was tested in ferrets and was found to stop COVID transmission, but it never made it to market. I would have totally bought it if it did. I have a PhD in Immunology, so I keep my ear to the ground and I stumbled on something similar - monolaurin (lauricidin) isolated from coconut oil, which disrupts the viral envelope, so it kills all enveloped viruses in vitro. A scientist at the University of Iowa tested it in human volunteers; his readout measure was a reduction in Staph aureus levels when applied as a nasal gel to the anterior nares (it also kills certain bacteria). I got the recipe from him and made it (and have been using it for about a year now). It's obviously safe, but I have no idea how effective. I would LOVE to know. If it reduces transmission to a degree (chances are it will), it will atleast help at the times that our masks need to be off to eat/drink. Plus it's a layer bolstering the other somewhat, but not fully effective layers of protection we don. There was also a study in Nature that showed that higher blood levels of monolaurin correlated with protection against COVID. While correlation is not causation, all of this makes you wonder and also bang your head in frustration that further studies are not being done. The scientist met many dead ends with funding support, in this messed-up, bewildering world we live in, where strategies to reduce transmission of ALL variants and other enveloped respiratory viruses are not even considered for further testing. I've written a blog referencing the studies I mention on this (and the recipe for the nasal gel) in case anyone is interested (next comment). It's safe to use and cheap to make, so it goes to my Hail Mary pile of strategies to stay safe, that supplement all the recommended ones (vaccinating, boosting, masking).
Thank you! I'm curious about the WSJ mask table. I've been hearing for a while that wearing a mask protects others from you, more than it protects you (though it does both). But this table is symmetric, so shows the same level of protection regardless of who is wearing the mask. Is this oversimplified, or is it truly symmetric?
Is that chart up to date??? It says Spring 2021, but we are in 2022 now with a few variants out since. What variant does that chart relate to? That chart is exactly what I have been looking for but updated/current situation.
Thank you.
My husband and I had our booster late august, is it time to get another for us .. I don’t seem to find the information I need on this
but is there any scientific data behind the shortening of the quarantine time from 10 to 5 days? was there ever any scientific data behind excluding classrooms from contact tracing? my kid's school is using the exception from contact tracing to refuse to let families know if someone in their kid's classroom tests positive.
@Katelyn, thoughts on the use of (K)N95s in the general public? On the pro side, better filtreation. On the con side, proper fitting is difficult, and in general terms, a well-fitting N95.... hurts when worn for long periods. I'm not sure they're going to work well for the public.
Dr Jetelina - I hope this message finds you. I am a subscribing member but not aware of how to send questions to you directly. Really appreciate this flow chart regarding masking and isolation. Thank you. I have 2 subjects I am very eager for your input on. 1) Can you give an update about the Moderna trials for kids especially 6mth-5year. I hear there is some promise here that will be faster than waiting on the Pfizer "re-do". 2) Can you shed some light on when the CDC will update the guidance for DAYCAREs and school facilities with quarantining. I know its at the state level by my state (IL) is waiting for CDC and currently their documentation still says any EXPOSURE positive or not...testing or not... requires all children "exposed" home for 14 days AND we pay for it! Why has the CDC reduced quarantine for even the unvaccinated but children have their routines destroyed and parents cant work... its a nightmare! Do you see any end to this?? Thank you for all you do! You have been a godsend!!!
Can you comment on data indicating flu deaths have dropped by somewhere like 75% during the covid era? There are several reasons that might contribute to this, but if masks etc are the main reason, is it reasonable to use that to extrapolate what the covid deaths might have been without masking/distance/shutdowns? My back of envelope suggests over 3 million - and that is separate from any vaccine effect.
For scenario yellow (vaxxed but not boosted), what if you completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna LESS than 6 months ago. There is no option for this on the chart. Is it the Green arrows, No Quarantine?