The Science of Mask Wearing
To the editor:
In the spirit of complimenting other writers of letters to the editor, I liked Katelyn Bernsen’s (15) use of science, rather than tactics (including rants and spitting that have gone viral) some people have used to challenge mask wearing.
She noted that experts are uncertain how effective masks are. Then she pointed to them decreasing oxygen and increasing carbon dioxide. Thoughtful, but this deserves a bit of investigation. I am confident that properly designed masks are not a problem. Physicians, nurses, and others wear masks when they work with COVID cases and don’t suffer oxygen/CO2 imbalance. People in workplaces wear masks. When my wife and I were traveling in early March as the pandemic was starting, my brother-in-law gave me a new mask of the type he wore at work. When I got home to my woodshop, I found a three pack of 3M N95s and other masks I use when woodworking. Masks cut down on small wood pieces getting into lungs. There are no warnings about CO2 on these masks. People of all ages wear masks of various kinds for Halloween. One more thought, school and professional team mascots often have a person wear a costume with their head in a massive cotton ball. Recently, Nick Saban, famous University of Alabama football coach, put out a public service announcement on masks and social distancing. He scolded the team mascot, Big Al (an elephant), for not wearing a mask and social distancing. No oxygen/CO2 imbalance.
We hope that Katelyn is right that every high school student learns that “bacteria and viruses thrive in dark, warm, moist places.” As it might be for masks, it certainly is for nasal passages and lungs. Masks need to be cleaned. Johns Hopkins (hopkinsmedicine.org) offers this advice: (1) wash hands before taking mask off, (2) don’t touch the front of the mask or your face, (3) if the mask has filters, replace them, (4) wash/launder masks with soap and water.
As to the morality of mask wearing, I leave that topic for others to debate. But, I like the science-based concern Katelyn demonstrated about public health.
Bob Heath Carmine