This week we discuss the importance of mask wearing which as one observer noted
When the CDC issued its mask guidance two months ago, it got the science right, but the policy and communication wrong…..the backsliding of the United States’ pandemic progress necessitated the return of indoor masking. This has happened because of those who choose to remain unvaccinated, and the vaccinated are now paying the price
Unfortunately, as things continue to decline around the country courtesy of the delta variant so our conversation this week continues to highlight this. We talk about the possibility of vaccine requirements for travel and the increasing numbers of younger people being severely impacted with COVID19 who do not have comorbid conditions
Raw Transcript
Nick van Terheyden
I’m drawing it now you commute. Hi, this is Dr. Nick, I’m the incrementalist here with incremental insights for better business, better health.
Fred Goldstein
And I’m Fred Goldstein with accountable health here helping employers set up their employee health improvement programs and also working in COVID. Nick, we’ve tried to get off this topic, it just doesn’t seem to be possible. I could say, unbelievable week, but really tragic. You know, we’re seeing the Delta virus go out and about all over the place. And we’re seeing this mask, no mask mandate, no mandate, what’s the deal with masks?
Nick van Terheyden
Well, Boss don’t work friend, right? Let’s start with masks work. And, you know, just as a piece of evidence, you know, put COVID to one side, look at the incidence of flu last year, for the whole year, both in the southern hemisphere, as well as the northern hemisphere, it was almost negligible. There were no cases. And why was that? That was because we were wearing these things, we had these masks, and we were using them. And they were highly effective, they’re effective on two counts very specifically, one, they do protect you. And two, they protect other people. And we are struggling to get this message across there is is excellent studies done by people that focus on the flow of air, air particles, I think, you know, we’ve reached sort of common use terms for droplet size, you know, aerosols versus different versions of transmission. And the reality is that these masks, even if they are just cloth based, are effective, they’re effective at preventing these droplets, because that’s the way these virus particles get out is that they’re on small droplets of water, or aerosols, if you remember, if you don’t remember, please go back to all of our videos where we explain this in detail. It’s all about size. And then finally, we have these n 95 masks. And you know, what’s special about these more than anything, not least of all is the material and the the density, but it’s the fit. And those people that haven’t worn and this is my original mass of I use, they come with very tight elasticated connectors that allow you to really tighten and they are form fitted. And one of the tests that we go through unofficially is if you can smell things, you know, if you can smell smoke, for instance, that around that would be the official smoke test. When you’ve got this on, it’s not fitted properly. So the snow particles aren’t getting through NASA work. And right now, because we don’t have vaccines widely distributed. We’re implementing in some places, but not everywhere, mask requirements, because that is our only methodology beyond physical distancing. To prevent the spread of this disease.
Fred Goldstein
Yeah, I think people really need to recognize the importance right now, we didn’t get the vaccine rates up high enough. And so this virus is out there. And wearing masks, even if you’re vaccinated when indoors or with activities with a large number of people, it’s obviously very important. I can tell you one of the things I’ve seen recently, two smaller businesses that I work with one an automobile repair shop, and the other restaurant, both closed, they’re out of business, because their employees all have COVID. And I noticed, you know, within the activities they did at work, they were not wearing masks, and it’s frustrating. But think about the economic impact of that a way to reopen this economy is to be safe in those situations where you could potentially get the virus and that means wearing a mask and those activities and if you do that it makes it relatively more safe to reopen and operate certain things. So I think it’s a critical area.
Nick van Terheyden
And we’ve said it many times that there’s you know, I wear a mask, not just for my protection, but for your protection. I am you know contributing to the greater good. Do I like wearing these things? Hell no. I can tell you it’s a it’s it’s no fun, but having experienced it both in the medical profession but also out in the community. That is the responsible thing to do. And I know that this creates all sorts of stresses for folks and you know it co2 build up. Let’s be clear, if you haven’t seen the video of the neath a test tube essentially kept putting masks on He had a pulse ox. And his pulse ox didn’t waver, and I think he managed to get 20 on before he just couldn’t get any more around it is there is no evidence to suggest that you can’t breathe. Now, is it harder to breathe? And from an exercise standpoint, that was my worst experience. But I always took the positive on this and said, Look, there are people that do this. You know, they call it altitude training, there is a mask that you wear, that builds up resilience to your lungs and makes it so when I took my mask off from the training in the in the gym, when we were finally allowed to Wow, did I feel completely open? I just felt my lungs read if that attitude, if you can, what else is going on? Fred?
Fred Goldstein
So the other issue, obviously, is there’s becoming more of a push for vaccine mandates. We’re seeing the government Look at that, obviously, federal workers, we’re seeing healthcare systems do it. And I understand there’s also some potential for visitors as well, Nick, what’s happening there?
Nick van Terheyden
Yeah, so nothing’s happened yet and understand all the freedoms and liberties. But you know, one of the items that I saw that I think we can comment on very clearly from a precursor or pre instances, the requirements of vaccines for people coming into countries, I can’t comment on other countries, I can tell you that they impose those vaccine requirements, if you have ever gone to Africa. And, you know, I had a big fight online with somebody who said that I was lying about the number of vaccines that I’ve had by the age of 12, because it was an extraordinary number. I had lots, do you know why? Because I lived in Africa, I was born in Africa, and I had to have yellow fever amongst a whole bunch of other vaccinations, if you didn’t have your yellow fever vaccine, and I can tell you, I didn’t know I had it, because I was a little baby at the time. You You weren’t allowed into those countries. I think we’re gonna see the same thing potentially, in this and talk about the US doing that. I know, there’s gonna be pushback on this. But you know, ultimately, this is not a new instance, this is part of public health policy and trying to prevent the spread of disease internationally.
Fred Goldstein
Absolutely. And we’ve seen the requirements of other vaccines for people to attend their schools, etc. So I think at some point it may come about, you’re also seeing restaurants now looking for it before you come in, in certain states. So I think it’s certainly a possibility. One other area to briefly touch on Nick, which is really disheartening is what’s happening with children.
Nick van Terheyden
You know, if if there was anything that really is distressing, and seeing young people in intensive care, and indeed dying, we have seen a tilt in terms of the age group in the previous pandemic explosion, it was all in the 60s 65. Plus, it’s now tilted the other way, it’s now averaging out at about 30 to 40 years old. And what’s important there is if that’s the average, you’ve got all of these people in the younger age groups, this is hitting them, and it’s hitting them, in some instances in the case of under 12, who aren’t eligible currently based on the safety, you know, and the coverage that the the the authorization has allowed for, they can’t get it. And of course, they’re exposed, and they’re being exposed to this highly transmissible Delta variant. And we’re seeing them as a direct result, and they’re ending up in hospital and in intensive care. That is a tragedy that should just not be allowed. So if you wanted to do something, you could wear this to protect your kids, your family’s friends, all of the younger generation that we depend upon for our future.
Fred Goldstein
And I’d also just quickly point out at least anecdotally, what I’ve seen from some doctors and it’s been written about is that many of these children do not have comorbidities or other conditions, and they’re ending up in the hospital. Certainly a really tough situation. So once again, another fantastic week, Nick, I’m Fred Goldstein with the Campbell health. If you’d like any more information, please reach out to accountable health llc.com
Nick van Terheyden
and this is Dr. Nick on the incrementalist here with incremental insights for better business, better health.
