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Masks can be harmful

Daily we hear “wear your mask”; however we never hear anything about maintaining your mask. In numerous studies the success of a cloth or surgical type mask at protecting yourself and others depends on whether people wear it properly, keeping it in place and making sure it doesn’t get wet.

Warm moisture, such as from breathing, can trap minuscule virus droplets in a moist mask and make it a strong source of contamination. How many people actually wash their cloth masks daily or throw away the disposal masks daily? I bet very few. The face mask is not ironclad and it could serve as a vector for transmission itself if it is not properly maintained and cleaned after every use or thrown away.

Maybe the recent COVID surge can be attributed to improper use of the mask? Much research suggests they may actually be harmful because of infrequent washing or disposal and moisture retention can make masks a breeding ground for pathogens. Don’t take my word for it, do your own research. One of my resources was an infectious researcher and professor of global biosecurity at the University of New South Wales, Australia. Dr. Fauci is not the be all, end all of the efficacy of wearing face masks.

Carol Farnham

Spokane



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