@ChristosArgyrop @maggiejk @Pat

Yes, reports of persistence are concerning.

I think I have seen a few ... But I think this is the recent one you are mentioning?

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/path.6035

Post mortem analysis of 27 patients an average of >3 months since last viral positivity.

"Despite apparent virological remission, lung pathology was similar to that observed in acute COVID-19 individuals, including micro- and macro-vascular thrombosis (67% of cases), vasculitis (24%), squamous metaplasia of the respiratory epithelium (30%), frequent cytological abnormalities and syncytia (67%), and the presence of dysmorphic features in the bronchial cartilage (44%)."

"SARS-CoV-2 antigens were not detected in the respiratory epithelium. In contrast, antibodies against both spike and nucleocapsid revealed the frequent (70%) infection of bronchial cartilage chondrocytes and para-bronchial gland epithelial cells."

This and other additional evidence of long term persistence and immune effects is useful and reminds us of the importance of the precautionary principle.

But it is not necessary to the argument: we should control #Covid anyway, should never have stopped trying to limit community transmission, because of the known disruption, disability and death is it still causing acutely. We've had evidence enough for years.

IHME estimates US Covid infections at staggering 1.25 million a day

This would have been halved if there had been a mask mandate a month ago

https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america?view=infections-testing&tab=trend&test=infections

In the US, 600 people a day are dying of Covid.

For people who don't (yet) know anyone who died from Covid, here is a heart-breaking thread about the death of Greg Foley, a chemical engineer and assistant professor.

He describes various levels of respiratory support as he experienced them. May he rest in peace.

https://twitter.com/gregfoley2002/status/1613465945451675648?s=46&t=Gmr_urMTeqE3veE0MEo7tA

#CovidIsNotOver #MaskUp #MaskMandate #MaskMandateNow

In the absence of #MaskMandates, #WearAMask, in fact #WearTheBestMaskAvailable

Curated information on #BetterMasks:

https://maskevidence.org/mask-types

Detailed argument for mask mandates:

https://theconversation.com/ca/topics/mask-mandate-90260

🤣 This turned out long. Appreciate a reposting/boost from anyone who found it interesting or helpful...🙏

@maggiejk @Pat

I'm so sorry to hear about the lack of free masks.

Free rapid tests are also helpful but everyone should be aware that in Omicron 63% of people with Covid will have a false negative result.

This means a negative test does not rule it out. People who are eligible for paxlovid or Remdesivir in their jurisdiction should go on to access a PCR.

Also it means #WearAMask for at least 10 days for every respiratory illness. If you don't have access to PCR you cannot rule out Covid.

#WearTheBestMaskAvailable at the testing centre though!

These are data from early Omicron strains compiled by Ontario science table, Sally now disbanded. I'm not aware of any more recent data: anyone?

https://covid19-sciencetable.ca/sciencebrief/use-of-rapid-antigen-tests-during-the-omicron-wave/

@holmesr @Pat

Hi again. Thanks for the feedback and for engaging, much appreciated.

We think overhead elastic is critical to getting good fitted-filtration (ie, net filtration of a mask on a face). We summarize this here ⬇️

https://maskevidence.org/head-attachments

In North America, #N95s must have overhead elastic simplifying our advice in favour of these over #KN95 or #KF94

There are data on beards, too!

For a 10mm beard, an N95 is still more effective than all other masks.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41370-021-00337-1

If the stifling feeling is specifically associated with headstraps for you, they could be too tight. Aura 3M has simple band elastic straps that lengthen with a good hard tug. This is a pro in this situation for you.

For straps that don't lengthen so easily, consider an #N95 with braided elastic such as Vitacore's #Can99.

Vitacore's Can99 also has superb breathability so if the problem isn't the attachments, this might help.

Apologies for a N American reply to a European question.

Anyone curating info on #FFP2 or #FFP3 and suppliers please let me know: we would love to put this on our website.

#WearTheBestMaskAvailable

#COVID #BetterMasks #MaskUp #MaskMandates #Masks
#WearAMask #CovidIsNotOver #CovidIsntOver #BetterMasks #MaskUp #DoAllTheThings #ventilation #filtration #PaidSickDays #BringBackMasks #WearAMask #MasksSaveLives #MaskeAuf #MaskUp #MaskMandate #MaskMandateNow #CovidLong #LongCovid #Beards

@Pat I totally agree with your #WearTheBestMaskAvailable approach. Encourage elastomerics, N95s, FFP3s.

But when you say not to wear anything else:

➡️ people without access to these are disempowered

➡️ we downplay the contributions of mask-making volunteer groups early in the pandemic and may even create confusion about whether those early masks worked (they did)

➡️ the absoluteness is not in keeping with the peer-reviewed evidence which we summarize here⬇️

https://maskevidence.org/mask-types

https://maskevidence.org/why-masks-matter

Also it makes it seem like we disagree, which I doubt!

We also curate curated lists of #BetterMasks⬇️

https://maskevidence.org/findingn95s

✨ We would welcome additions to this page from outside North America✨

Thanks for the interest!❤️

@Moira yes #DoAllTheThings and #WearTheBestMaskAvailable

➡️ I'm seeing a lot of "N95s work and other masks do not"

➡️ Filtration is relative, not absolute

➡️ Summary and infographic ⬇️
https://maskevidence.org/mask-types

⬇️%s are filtration percentages for submicron (less than 1 micron) particles - aerosol data - the relevant size because #CovidIsAirborne

90% N95s without fit testing
70% Level 1 medical with cotton overmask
50% Level 1 medical or well-fitting 2-layer cotton

What does it mean?

➡️ Wear the best mask available

If you have access to N95s or FFP3s with overhead elastic, wear them

Otherwise use what you have: any mask is better than no mask

A certified medical mask with a good-fitting cloth mask over the top to improve the edge seal is a great low-cost combo

Mask braces are a bit uncomfortable but is you are in a high-risk situation (eg health care worker not supplied with routine N95s) they greatly improve the filtration of medical masks

#WearTheBestMaskAvailable

#COVID #BetterMasks #MaskUp #MaskMandates #Masks
#WearAMask #CovidIsNotOver #CovidIsntOver #BetterMasks #MaskUp #DoAllTheThings #ventilation #filtration #PaidSickDays #BringBackMasks #WearAMask #MasksSaveLives #MaskeAuf #MaskUp #MaskMandate #MaskMandateNow #CovidLong #LongCovid