Resources
Fact Checking
Save our Aves Faces claims from Board Meetings, their website, and Change.org petition
Free Our Aves Faces (FOAF) "Mask Research and Resources" from website
FOAF claims are in italics, the facts are in bold:
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Masks (who.int)
Pg 32-33 of this document indicates Masks ineffective for stopping flu & should only be used in “severe” pandemics. Cases are rapidly declining and State of Emergency has ended, therefore pandemic is not “severe"
- Dated 1 December 2020.
- This article states, "For indoor public settings such as busy shopping centres, religious buildings, restaurants, schools and public transport, you should wear a mask if you cannot maintain physical distance from others."
- It does not mention masking children specifically.
- Dated 2019, prior to the spread of COVID-19
CHILDREN ARE NOT LITTLE ADULTS
- Dated July 2008, for training for the health sector
CDC & AAP Data Resources (Incidence in kids is low)
Trends-
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6939e2.htm
- Dated October 2, 2020, prior to the Delta Variant
- Includes all hospitalizations reported through COVID-NET (from March 1, 2020 through July 3, 2021, accessed on July 12, 2021), not taking into consideration the Delta Variant becoming the dominant strain on July 7, 2021.
- The Delta Variant's greatest risk of transmission is among unvaccinated people who are much more likely to get infected, and therefore transmit the virus*. *CDC August 26, 2021
The claim:
Face masks cause staph infections
Both Dr. Zaineb Makhzoumi (assistant professor and the head of dermatologic surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine) and Dr. Adam Friedman (professor and the interim chair of dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences) confirmed to USA TODAY that face masks do not cause staph infections.
And fact-checks of similar claims from Lead Stories and The Associated Press cite at least four other doctors who said the same.
"In no cases have we seen or have we heard or have we had an association between mask use and staph infection," Makhzoumi said, noting that she has not seen an uptick of staph infections in her patients since the start of the pandemic.
Friedman agreed that masks do not cause staph infections, and are no more likely to lead to an injury or abrasion to the skin that could allow for infection.
Did University of Fla. Lab Find ‘Dangerous Pathogens’ on Kids’ Masks?
Claim:
Six masks worn to school by children were sent to a University of Florida laboratory and found to carry at least 11 dangerous pathogens.
Context:
Parents in Florida sent the University of Florida Mass Spectrometry Research and Education Center six masks to be tested for various pathogens. Results determined that they tested positive for at least 11 pathogens, some of which are common human flora and/or commonly found in soil and water. The findings were not the result of a regimented, peer-reviewed study, however, and do not support the conclusion that wearing masks could be doing more harm than good. Because there was no standardization in collecting the samples, the results did not indicate to what extent masks may collect harmful pathogens.
Facts:
“The University of Florida Mass Spectrometry Research and Education Center routinely conducts lab tests for members of the public as requested, as it did for Ms. Donoho. However, it is important to note that we had no way of establishing the chain of custody for these masks and to what conditions they were exposed prior to the lab test,” a spokesperson told Snopes.
“To draw any conclusions is premature and a more controlled, peer-reviewed research is warranted. It is also important to note that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studies indicate wearing a mask is among the most effective measures for preventing and mitigating the spread of COVID-19.”
Claim:
Individuals with asthma cannot wear masks
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America:
Can People With Asthma Wear Face Masks?
Yes, people with asthma can wear face masks.
“For people with very mild asthma or well-controlled asthma, it’s probably not going to be an issue,” said Dr. David Stukus, member of the Medical Scientific Council for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). “For people who have very severe disease and have frequent exacerbations, ER visits, hospitalizations, require lots of medications and frequent symptoms, it might cause more issues for those folks.”
If you’re having trouble wearing a mask, try a different fabric or fit. Wearing some kind of breathable face mask is better than nothing. According to the WHO, medical masks when worn the right way do not cause you to breathe in more carbon dioxide or reduce your oxygen levels. Other studies back this up as well. And a face mask made of three layers probably won’t fit tightly enough to affect your oxygen either. If your mask is uncomfortable, try a new type of mask.
What Are Other Benefits to Wearing Face Masks?
Pollen can trigger asthma. Wearing a mask can help keep pollen from getting into your nose and lungs. Even though a mask can help prevent symptoms, consider going outside when pollen counts are lower.
Changes in the weather can also be an asthma trigger, so keep it in mind when wearing a mask. When it’s cold, wearing a face mask can warm and humidify the air you breathe. Hot and humid weather can make wearing a mask more uncomfortable. Consider going out at times of the day when the weather is milder.
Exercise is important for people with asthma. Stay active but avoid situations where you would need a mask. If you are outside on a trail or in a park, you probably wouldn’t need to wear a mask. Consider working out outside or at home instead of going to a gym or exercise class that may require a mask.
Masks also can protect you from respiratory infections like the flu, COVID-19, and even the common cold. Masks provide protection for people who are immunocompromised.
COVID-19 advice for the public: Mythbusters
A list of facts and myths from the World Health Organization (WHO) that can help with conversations.
Talking Points
From the Strategy sub-committee
BE SAFE
Students under the age of 12 will not be eligible to get COVID-19 vaccines at the start of the 2021-2022 School year.
This leaves them at risk of contracting and further transmitting COVID variants that are more contagious and may cause more severe illness.
Hamilton County has been identified as an area of “substantial spread” of COVID-19 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Currently in the 45242¹ zip code there are 57.5 COVID cases per 100K with no mask mandate in place. However, in 2020, Governor DeWine enacted a state-wide mask mandate at 50 COVID cases per 100K.
¹Between July 16 - July 30, 2021 - Source: coronavirus.ohio.gov
BE RESPONSIBLE
The Hamilton County Public Health and the CDC currently recommends:
- Everyone, including those fully-vaccinated, wear a mask in public indoor settings.
- Universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of their vaccination status.
The AAP² recommends universal masking in school at this time for the following reasons:
- A significant portion of the student population is not eligible for vaccination protection of unvaccinated students from COVID-19 and to reduce transmission
- An added benefit of universal masking is protection of students and staff against other respiratory illnesses that would take time away from school.
BE RESPECTFUL
When you wear a face mask, you are proactively protecting others as well as yourself. Which is especially important if you are not vaccinated and/or are around others who are not vaccinated.
BE A PROBLEM SOLVER
Face masks are a simple solution in a layered approach in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and a means of ensuring students and staff can stay healthy and physically together in school.
Talking Points
Thank you to #guywithaspreadsheet, Paul Forshey, for providing these helpful talking points!
Continue universal masking of all students indoors at all schools, regardless of vaccination status, when school resumes.
Because of state mandatory quarantine policies, having unmasked students in the classroom will result in otherwise preventable missed school time for all close contacts, masked or not.
Optional masking is not sufficient in a close-contact environment, as masks are most effective when all parties are wearing them.
The layered mitigation strategy used last year was incredibly successful in preventing in-school spread of Covid-19. Peeling off layers all at once (no virtual option, full classrooms, no testing, no mandatory masking) is an avoidable risk.
Print Materials
Please feel free to print this flyer and hang it at local businesses or give to neighbors who aren't involved. (If you do hang in a business, ALWAYS ask for permission).
Right click and save the image to print this handout. Print on an 8.5 X 11 piece of paper (2-up) and share! (If you want to hang anything in a business, ALWAYS ask for permission).
Change.org Update
3 days ago, the Masks Optional group's Change.org petition provided an update to their petition. In it, they cited two scientific studies, one of which has since been retracted and was HIGHLY criticized. You can view the retraction here.
More information on the retraction here.
If these articles are brought up in discussions, please reference the retraction.
Mask Mythbusters
Along with physical distancing and good hand washing, face masks are an effective way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. They can be especially important for children younger than age 12, who are not yet eligible for the COVID vaccines. Some parents may have questions and concerns about face masks, and we're here to help.
Here are 5 common questions about kids and masks, along with evidence-based information that will put your mind at ease.
CDC Covid Tracker
The United States is once again seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. As of July 22, 35% of U.S. counties are experiencing high levels of community transmission. COVID-19 cases are on the rise in nearly 90% of U.S. jurisdictions, and we are seeing outbreaks in parts of the country that have low vaccination coverage. These worrisome trends are due, in part, to the rapid spread of the highly transmissible B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant. An increase in the number of cases will put more strain on healthcare resources and could lead to more hospitalizations and deaths.