Lincoln would mandate covid-19 vaccine for all adults

Europe is having the surge of its 4^th wave of the covid-19 pandemic, and US is bracing to follow suit as it did on several occasions. The longer this thing drags on, the more difficult for us to get out of it. Each surge can potentially breed more deadly new variants. And pandemic fatigue is the human nature.

protest against vaccine mandate in Austria

Austrian Chancellor

Look at what is happening in Germany, the exemplary country serving as the model of the world in handling the pandemic. There are evidences in Germany and Austria that the unvaccinated are driving the current surge. Austria Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg mandated covid-19 vaccine for entire adult population, and this was met with large scale protests by anti-vaxxers.

Protest against vaccine mandate in Vienna

Mandate covid-19 vaccine is the surest way to success                                             The best way, and may be the only way to get out of this pandemic is through herd immunity by vaccination. Vaccine is backed by solid science. Vaccine works, but not 100% effective, nor is it long lasting. This is the very reason why nearly everyone needs to be vaccianted to ensure success. Though not 100% effective, most of the vaccines are highly effective, and herd immunity can be obtained by vaccinating all. It may be a cliché to say that we can do it if we do it together.

Lincoln rose to the occasion to save the Union. Were he around he would mandate covid-vaccine for the entire adult population. There is no doubt about it, why?

Lincoln loved and believed in science                                                       Lincoln loved science and always applied it to improve society and life of people. He once said, “I hold the value of life is to improve one’s condition.”

Lincoln studied the Six Books of Euclid, learning geometry and trigonometry, the basic rules of logic and reason. He read Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species when it came out in 1859. His law partner, William Herndon, reported that Lincoln “was deeply impressed with the notion of evolution and seemed to grow into a warm advocate of the new doctrine.” It was during his administration that the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) was established in1863.

Lincoln was fascinated with engineering and new technology. Upon taking the office at White House he installed telegraph service at War Department. He gave a series of lectures titling “Discoveries and Inventions” in 1858-1859. He is the only president that ever held a patent (No. 6469).

So Lincoln would embrace and advocate vaccine in a heartbeat. Knowing it is the best way to get us out of this pandemic, he would mandate covid-19 vaccine for the entire adult population even though it may curtail individual freedom and liberty.

Lincoln suspended habeas corpus and denied individual right to save the Union 

Lincoln is the only President ever suspended the writ of habeas corpus (for one to be arrested and confined has to be brought to the court to ensure the arrest is legal). On April 27, 1861 he sent a dispatch to General Winfield Scott, “. . . you find resistance which renders it necessary to suspend the writ of Habeas Corpus for the public safety, you . . . are authorized to suspend that writ. ABRAHAM LINCOLN”

Lincoln defended his action by pointing out Article I, Section 9, of the U.S. Constitution: “the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion and invasion the public safety may require it.”

Lincoln would deny individual liberty and freedom for the greater collective good of the country                                                                                                    Lincoln strategically deny individual rights in order to preserve the Union. He would also deny individual liberty and freedom in order to fight the pandemic to protect the collect good and benefits of the society and of the country.  Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus for what he called "public safety", he would curtail individual liberty for public health safety.

Many world leaders would like to emulate Lincoln, but few, if any, would have courage or political capital to mandate covid-19 vaccine to all adults and carry it out. Let us hope my assessment is wrong and that this scourge can end one way or another without the vaccine mandate. God helps us.

COVID-19 related science, immigration laws, border crisis and Biden’s failure

大家都知道 mRNA vaccine 是利用 modified messenger RNA to use DNA → RNA → protein (protein-making machinery) to make SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (which is an antigen) to which our body will produce specific antibody against it.

我們身體製造的所有蛋白質都是 DNA 設計的, DNA (any given gene) serves as a template, mRNA copies it complementarily, then go to ribosome (an amazing complex protein-making factory in cytoplasm) to make protein. (for mRNA vaccine, the first step of "DNA → RNA → protein" was done by the vaccine designer), 然後利用 transfer RNA (tRNA), 根據 codon (a sequence of 3 nucleic acids), 一個一個去抓 amino acid 來 match it. 結果是 specific nucleic acid sequence of a gene (DNA) is translated into specific amino acid sequence of a protein. The job is done.

這是我們說 one gene, one protein 的原因.  任何一個蛋白質都有一個基因 （gene) 在控制。只有 3% 的 DNA 是 protein-coding genes (就我所知, 我們約有 50,000 genes). 問題出在我們一生都經歷過無數的外來的 invaders (bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.) 我們的身體要產生抗體 （antibody) 才能打敗外來的 invader. 抗體也是蛋白質, 一定要有一個基因在控制。我們雖有 50,000 基因, 也沒有辦法去預料有朝一日我們需要製造那一種抗體。

那些得了 COVID-19 而恢復的人身體會產生抗體（沒有注射疫苗）難道那些人的 DNA 有製造這種 Covid-19 抗體的基因嗎？當然沒有！我說過 one gene, one protein, 那麼既然沒有 gene, 怎麼能製造 protein 呢？

Susumu Tonegawa 找到了這個 謎題 （puzzle) 的答案. 1987 年他獨自一人得諾貝爾醫學獎 （諾貝爾科學獎很少只有一個得主的）2007 年我寫了一篇 “How does our body manage to make a vast array of diverse antibodies?” 有興趣的人可讀。

https://doctorjytsai.blogspot.com/search?q=How+does+our+body+manage+to+make+a+vast+array+of+diverse+anitibodies%3F

在 Tonegawa 的 Nobel Lecture 裡我們讀到 “Thanks partly to this remarkably prophetic letter and partly to the immunization law that prevented me from remaining in the U.S.” 1972 年他在加州 La Jolla Salk Institute, 美國移民局不讓他留下來繼續研究. 幸好他的 mentor (Dulbecco) 替他找到了瑞士 Basal Institute of Immunology.  He was trained as a molecular biologist, never had training in immunology.

以上說了一大堆主要是要罵 Joe Biden (借題發揮, so to speak) 罵 Biden 是愛之深越要駡他.  至今每一想起Trump 可能連任就毛骨悚然, 不寒而慄。不但擔心疫情何時了, 又要多少寃魂。而且他開口 China virus, 閉口 Kung Fu virus (至今亦然）, 再過四年, 我們及我們的子弟將無立身之地, 不只沒有好日子過. “Words have consequence” （the leaders of Asian community in Atlanta asked Biden to publicly condemn Trump’s anti-China rhetoric, this is his response).  Anti Asian hate is real and systemic. 如果說跟 Trump 無關, 誰會相信.

我不是説當年 （1972）US immigration laws 特別歧視 Tonegawa, 而是説每個外國人要長期留在美國都要遵守移民法。如果任何十八歲以下的小孩一走到邊境美國就以人道立場無條件收留, 這將是無底深淵, 不是解決辦法, 也不是絕大部分的美國人 （Republicans and Democrats) 所會贊同的。很多美國人（尤其是Republicans, I am a registered Republican) 一想到目前的 border crisis, 就會説我們選出了一個比 socialist 更糟糕的總統. Biden 會因此丟了江山, 給 Trump 東山再起的良機. Trump 陰魂不散, 而且跟他一模一樣的politicians 多如牛毛。

Biden administration 至今還不准新聞記者去參觀採訪邊境那些小孩的收留所。前幾天 Biden 的第一次記者會, 有記者問他什麼時候可以參觀, 他回答不出來, 這一點, Biden is worse than Trump (Trump 從來沒有禁止記者參觀那些facilities).  This editorial cartoon says it all.

對發展 mRNA 疫苗成功有貢獻的人很多, 其中一個最出色的是來自匃牙利的Katalin Kariko. mRNA vaccine 是製造的 (synthetic?) modified messenger RNA, 對我們身體而言是外來的異物, 所以一注射到體內馬上會被消滅。Kariko (along with Drew Weissman) 找到了一個方法, 所以 mRNA 能安全的進入我們的細胞 to do its job.  有朝一日如果 mRNA technology 是 Laskar award (甚或 Nobel Prize) 的對象, Kariko will be on top of the list.

Katalin Kariko

我説這些也是要罵 Biden. Kariko 在 University of Pennsylvania 期間有一陣子因為拿不到 grants to fund her research on mRNA (shame on NIH) 被 demoted.  這期間她的丈夫又因為拿不到來美國的 visa, 被困在匈牙利。如果她當時心灰意懶, 打包回家. No one can predict what will happen. Kariko 目前是 BioNTech 的 Vice President (in Boston Office).

一想到既然美國的移民法既然這麼嚴格, what Biden is doing is tantamount to open border, 你說 Biden 該罵不該罵？

Muse on pandemic: Should you be concerned or worried about the new Corona-variant?

When it comes to the pandemic here I trust Dr. Anthony Fauci, in Germany I trust Dr. Christian Drosten, He is German answer to our Dr. Fauci, much younger, though. He is 48 years of age, Dr. Fauci just turned 80.  Both Dr. Fauci and Dr. Drosten received death threats (even Dr. Fauci’s 3 daughters were not spared) by corona-deniers.

Dr. Anthony Fauci and President Trump

Dr. Drosten is a virologist from Charity, Berlin, which is touted as the best research hospital in Europe.  More than half of all German Nobel Prize laureates in Medicine have worked at Charite.

Dr. Christian Drosten

Their views on the new corona-variant are very similar: Dr. Fauci said, “I would not be surprised if it is already here.” Dr. Drosten said, “I think it is already in Germany.   It is in Europe, even in Australia, why shouldn’t it be in Germany?” Dr. Drosten said.

The CDC said that the new strain is more rapidly transmissible (the reported 70% more transmissible is just an estimate), but there is no evidence that it is more serious or deadly (i,e. more virulent).  Scientists are working hard to better understand how easily the new variant might be transmitted and whether the currently approved vaccines will provide the same protection against the new strain.

Dr. Moncef Slaoui

According to Dr. Moncef Slaoui, head of the Operation Warp Speed, that antibodies produced in response to COVID-19 vaccines would continue to be effective as they bind to several “epitopes” (or regions) of the spike protein, which is a three-dimensional surface molecule that virus uses to invade human cell.  The chance that a single mutation would alter all the regions at once are “extremely low” or highly unlikely.

Dr. Drosten holds the same view, by saying the change of the virus is not extensive enough/sufficient and the vaccines are too broad in effect.  In fact, the vaccine was designed in anticipating that the virus may mutate somehow and somewhere along the way.

Der Tagesspiegel (a German newspaper) had an article 12/21/2020, after interviewing Dr. Christian Drosten on this topic.  The following is the English translation.

Drosten on Corona-mutation: “I think it is already in Germany”

Virologist Christian Drosten is not too worried about the Corona-mutation. Charite virologist Drosten warns the panic mongering (inciting panic) in connection to the new virus variant from Great Britain. As yet there is hardly any definite findings.

In an interview with the Deutschlandfunk Monday morning (Dec. 21) the Charite virologist warns the panic mongering (panic inciting) in connection to the emerging new virus variant.

Much of what is said and written about the new virus variant is still not scientifically confirmed, he said. British researchers have announced that the relevant information for the coming days.

Current statements such as the number that the mutation is 70% more contagious, were not based on solid findings, but are estimates. They find their way into media via politics. It will now simply take a few days until “clear messages” from the researchers received.

“At present I am not so very worried,” Drosten further added, “there can be scientific surprise, but I am anything but worry.” At the same time the current action of restricting travel traffic from Great Britain is “cautious” and appropriate. If there is more information then politics can react accordingly.

Looking at the Southern England where the new virus variant is currently mainly spreading, Drosten asked, “Does the virus wash up a new wave or is the virus responsible for the wave?” [I think he said the new wave could be the result of human behavior?] This is an important question that cannot be answered easily.

He referred to other countries where the new virus variant has been proven, and yet no direct and strong increase of cases in the same time, Drosten emphasized. He doesn't want to play down the new virus variant, especially the fact that the binding to human cell would become stronger, he called interesting. However, Drosten said, this circumstance could even weaken the virus. “That is not necessary good for the virus.”

According to Drosten the new virus has long since overcome many limits. “I think it is already in Germany” he said. The new virus has already been in England for several months and has found their way to various European countries.

“We know it is in Europe, even in Australia, why shouldn't it be in Germany?” Drosten doesn't believe the mutation has an effect on the effectiveness of the vaccine. The change of the virus is not extensive enough/sufficient and the vaccines are too broad in effect.

Not knowing Chinese Trump lost White House (Trump 不懂中文, 失去了江山）and America First

Trump 不懂中文使他失去了江山。如果沒有 pandemic, 他連任的機會應該很大, 何況 Biden 也不是一個 very strong candidate, all things considered.  Pandemic is a crisis (疫情一來是危機）Trump 不了解危機就是危險帶來的機會 （opportunity). 沒有人會怪他疫情的到來, 只要他處理適當, 加上美國的 resources and scientific know-how.  一定可以領導全球做全世界的榜樣, truly make America great again. 九個月來, 確診及死亡人數, 全球美國第一, America First, indeed!

（下面的 graph 來自德國報紙 Frankfurter Allgemeine, 其 data 來自 Johns Hopkins University）

八個國家的確診數目的比較 （即每 100,000 人囗有多少確診。最近一兩個月歐洲疫情也很厲害, 但是還是大大趕不上美國.

最上面的是美國：幾乎 4,500 (America first, indeed)

第二名（西班牙）及第三名（法國）：約 3,400

Trump 最喜歡跟德國比, 說美國跟德國一樣好, 他説謊是不會臉紅的.

德國：1,155-1,160

瑞典對疫情處理惡名昭張, 其數目也只約 2,810.

南韓數目非常低可能 100 以下（not shown on graph）

Muse on pandemic: The cautious Angela Merkel

On September 28 when German daily coronavirus cases numbered 1,313 (on 9/27/2020) Chancellor Angela Merkel, in preparation of meeting federal state governors to discuss the next step for the pandemic controlled measures, warned the daily cases will rise to 19,200 by Christmas unless something done.  It certainly sounds as if Merkel were an alarmist.  But her figure came from public health officials and experts that she respects and listens.

As of October 14, the daily cases in Germany was 7,173, increasing from 1,313 just two and half weeks ago.

It hasn’t escaped my notice that the leaders of the poorly controlled nations tended to talk down the threat of coronavirus, whereas those leading the better-controlled nations tended to be more cautious and vigilant.

(7,173 new cases in Germany o 10/14/2020. You may click the picture to enlarge it)

(1,313 new cases in Germany on 9/27/2020.  You may click the picture to enlarge it)

This also gives hint how German federal government and states work together in combating this horrendous pandemic.  As of October 14 there are 216,904 deaths in the US, compared with 9,721 deaths in Germany.  The US population is about 4 times that of Germany.

Muse on pandemic: How did my view on Covid-19 come into being?

Rarely did I write about Covid-19 of late, it is not because I lost interest or quit reading about it, but because I have been keenly aware that many of my potential readers are “pandemic-fatigue”, getting tired of reading anything about virus, some even suspected I am an alarmist. I recall in one of the ZOOM meetings with friends in April, I warned the potential aerosol transmission (through talking, breathing or singing), one gentleman (whom I personally do not know) responded by retorting “aerosol transmission? Impossible!” But I took comfort in knowing that one friend called me “Dr. Fauci” in our midst in one of the group LINEs I participated. That was quite a compliment.

How did my view on Covid-19 come into being? First and foremost it is not because I am a physician, as I’ve never seen any infectious disease like Covid-19 in my entire professional career. I have no experience in dealing with it. My views on Covid-19 come from voracious readings of scientific, credible or trustworthy journals. My paid subscriptions include: New England Journal of Medicine, Scientific American, Harvard Health Letter, New York Times, and Boston Globe.

But one can read solid science on Covid-19 without paying a cent on the subscriptions, as most prestigious, credible, peer-reviewed scientific journals make the Covid-19 related articles available online for “open access”, or at least one can read the abstract. I presume this is their public service. Those I routinely consulted include: Nature, Science, Lancet, Proceeding of the National Academy of Science, The Atlantic, etc. MIT Technology Review has excellent articles, allowing one to have free access to several articles. Reading Bill Gates' blog is worth your while.

Those readings led me to believe very early on that SARS-CoV-2 is the most smart and cunning infectious virus that I have ever seen. Their ingenious and tricky way to “jump” from one person to another is astonishing (令人嘆為觀止）It occurs in the least suspected or expected moment. I would unhesitatingly vote Covid-19 the disease of the century.  I treat this dreaded virus with respect and fear (敬畏有加）. One does not cause pandemic for no reason.

With that being said, one may get an impression that one needs to read to know how to combat this virus. No, that is not true. It s so easy and simple for an individual to do: wear face mask and keep social distancing whenever the occasions call for. That is all there is to it. You may add wash the hands as frequent as needed.  Avoid the crowd or large gatherings, size of which goes by the local authority. One needs to assume anyone other than one’s own household members may potentially have Covid-19 and act accordingly, constantly keep in mind that an infected person become very contagious several days before the first symptoms, in addition, up to 40% of the infected never develop symptoms, yet they are as contagious.

I will write a series of “muse on pandemic” as time goes by.

Wearing face coverings may reduce the severity of Covid-19 if the full protection fails

It is unfortunate or even sad that wearing face covering has been politicized, thus reducing the effectiveness of public health policy implementation. I never got tired of saying something exhorting general public to wear face covering whenever the occasions call for it. I wrote a letter-to-the-editor to the Observer-Reporter (a newspaper at Washington, PA) to this effect in early April. I had another letter published today (Sept. 22) advocating a new concept that has been supported by many evidences observed. I wrote an article of “The scientific basis of wearing face mask” in my blog, although article like this is inherently dull and dry.

I basically want people to be aware that wearing face covering may not fully protect one from getting COVID-19, but it may potentially decrease the severity of the disease as wearing face covering may reduce the amount of viruses one receives. This is consistent with a well-established theory of viral pathogenesis, which says that the severity of the disease is proportionate to the viral inoculum received. An article in the July 14 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that “higher doses of administered virus led to more severe manifestations of Covid-19 in a Syrian hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection.”

The rate of asymptomatic infection with SARS-CoV-2 infections was estimated to be up to 40% according to a CDC report in mid-July, whereas the rate of asymptomatic infection was more than 80% in the setting of universal facial masking.

I threw in another info that taking vaccine may potentially reduce the severity of the disease when the full protection fails. The targeted readers would be those who refuse to take vaccine for whatever reasons.

The open letter of Stanford medical school faculties condemns Dr. Scott Atlas

Since Dr. Scott Atlas was appointed as the new medical adviser for the White House coronavirus task force in mid-August, I have been checking Stanford Medicine website numerous times, trying to find out what they would say about their former colleague (He is currently a senior fellow in health care policy at Hoover Institution, a conservative think tank at Stanford University. So theoretically, he is still a Stanford man.). But I was disappointed at finding nothing until yesterday when I finally read an open letter, which condemns Dr. Atlas’s radical and dangerous view and behavior about this pandemic. The letter was signed by over one hundred doctors and researchers. The following link is to the open letter.

(The Open Letter on Stanford Medicine was taken out a day or two after it was posted. The law firm representing the White House threatened to sue those doctors.)

The Open Letter is still available online (the following is a NYT document)

https://int.nyt.com/data/documenttools/read-the-open-letter-from-stanford-doctors-on-scott-atlas/813b50f72b6543b4/full.pdf

There was an article on 8/172020 Frankfurter Allgemeine (German newspaper) with a title of Sie simulieren Wissenschaft (They simulate/feign science), using Dr. Scott Atlas at White House as the title photo. One can read “corona-pseudoexperten” (corona-pseudoexperts) on it. 

(I translate two short paragraphs so you may get the idea of what this article is all about.)

. . . there are almost always a bunch of pseudo-experts from outside their fields, who wrapped themselves in the “information bubble”, isolated, but present their academic position when they felt rebuke is needed.

It is happening now in the White House. In fact Trump has not yet showed the door to Fauci, the popular immunologist, but by placing the former neuroradiologist, Scott Atlas, of Hoover Institution at Stanford University at the top of his Corona-advisory board, a pseudo-expert, who is capable of getting conspiratorial fantasies going while standing along the honest/credible virologists and epidemiologists. In his first interview Atlas corrected the cautious epidemic expert, Fauci, regarding his lock down strategy. Scott Atlas wants it—and Trump wanted it for a long while—that American people should be able to cheer again in the college-football-stadiums.

President Trump found a new medical adviser for the White House coronavirus task force, a perfect fit

 Trump would like to say to Dr. Anthony Fauci “you are fired”, but he knows better not to do it because of the potential repercussion and backfire.  He found the alternative by hiring Dr. Scott Atlas as a new medical adviser for the White House coronavirus task force, it is a perfect fit.

If one wonders why such an excellent doctor and scholar in academic medicine would embrace views that align with that of President Trump when it comes to the management of this horrendous pandemic. (Dr. Atlas served as the head of the neuroradiology at Stanford University Medical Center from 1998 to 2012, specializing in MRI, currently a senior fellow in health care policy at Hoover Institution, a conservative think tank at Stanford University.  He is the editor of Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain and Spine, a leading textbook in the field.)

Biased thought it may be, I’ll offer my analysis.  I am hoping you will find it fair, reasonable and credible.

1. Like Trump, he has no empathy (I do not know him enough to say whether he is narcissistic or not.) He said for young people to get Covid-19 is a good thing, if fact, he wants about 60% of people in the community to get infected, thus producing antibody.  He lamented the lockdown prevented natural herd immunity from happening.  Without empathy he cannot feel the pain that how many Americans have to die or suffer.

2. Like trump, he belittles the threat of the pandemic, ridiculing the “hysteria” surrounding the coronavirus, such as parents’ concern and worry for kids going to schools.  In a 4/13/2020 article published in The Hill, he wrote, “with a world-wide sense of relief, progress continues containing the COVID-19 pandemic.”  He also wrote that aside from New York, the vast majorities of American hospitals were not overwhelmed beyond capacity.  The summer surge in the sun belt states proves his prediction was wrong and overly optimism unwarranted.

3. Like Trump, he has no respect of the expertise of others’ fields.  Trump once said he knows more about NATO than Marine Corp General Mattis who once served as the NATO Supreme Allied Commander.  Dr. Atlas is an expert in MRI medicine and health care policy, but he has no experience in dealing with infectious disease, let alone pandemic.  Like Trump, he treated Dr. Fauci as an alarmist.

4. Like Trump, Dr. Atlas advocates "safely" reopening the economy and schools in a hurry and wants the college sports back now.  The University of North Carolina was just forced to cancel in-person classes after at least 130 students tested positive in the first week of the semester.

American media can be biased reporting the radical views of Dr. Atlas.  I came across an article in a German newspaper, Frankfurter Allgemeine (8/17/2020), with a title of “Sie simulieren Wissenschaft” (they feign/fake science), the title picture of the article shows a picture of Dr. Scott Atlas, one can see “corona-pseudoexperten” (corona-pseudo experts). Unfortunately this article is not a free access without subscription, I can only read the first few paragraphs, which are about pseudo experts on climate change. I cannot tell you what they said about Dr. Atlas, but based on the title and the picture of the article, they most likely consider him a pseudo expert as Trump’s adviser.  Even his own university (Stanford U) has backed off plans to offer in-person classes this fall.

While talking about President Trump, German media are no less critical than New York Times, Washington Post, CNN and MSNBC.  This article is just an example.

In my view, a doctor of his repute and caliber, Dr. Atlas’ radical approach in dealing with this pandemic is irresponsible (some said "naive"), or even reckless, and could do damage to the society.

Wearing face masks is the new America's pastime

In my 4/7/2020 letter-to-the-editor (to Observer-Reporter) I began with “It is regrettable that President Trump said he chose not to wear face mask. . .” Trump made wearing face mask a political statement, whereas the House majority leader, Nancy Pelosi, made it a fashion statement.

Nancy Pelosi has a formidable rival:  This is Slovakian President Zuzana Caputuva on her swearing-in ceremony.  How many face coverings you ladies may need?  It all depend on how many dresses you have.  I am sure pretty soon the face coverings will also match or contrast your hair colors, too.

It was reported that Nancy Pelosi's large stockpile of face coverings comes from Donna Lewis.  I was told that Victoria Secret also makes face coverings, I do not know what is their sale slogan, but "Less (covering) is more" will not do.  The followings are products from Donna Lewis.

As we all know wearing face covering is mainly to protect others, and to a lesser extent, protect oneself.  Not wearing face covering when the occasions call for is an irresponsible behavior, not courteous, inconsiderate, ignorant and reckless.  The photo is President Trump with Governor Jared Polis of Colorado.

The scientific basis of wearing face mask

The evidences of benefit of wearing face masks in curbing the spread of coronavirus in Asian countries may not be able to convince some Americans. I'll present a collection of reports in various credible scientific and medical journals showing the merit of wearing face masks. On the 6/2/2020 Scientific American issue, there was a comprehensive article of “How to use masks during coronavirus pandemic”.

It is not my intent to tell the technical aspect of the scientific basis of wearing face mask, although it is available if one is interested in this kind of “dry” stuff. There is an article on 9/21/2011 the Proceedings of Royal Society A with a title of “Effectiveness of facemasks to reduce exposure hazards for airborne infections among general populations”. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2011.0537

Comparison of paper surgical masks with fabric/cloth ones

Researchers examined the materials under a microscope and noted fabric has a more open structure with bigger holes (see the photo). Ideally a cloth coverings should have at least two layers, which can trap more particles than a single layer. I personally tend to wear a cloth covering on top of a surgical mask inside.

Droplets evaporate and become smaller and smaller as they flow through the air, so they are the largest when they are first coughed or sneezed out, this is why cloth mask with relatively “large” holes (under microscope) still can do the job well, trapping the droplets, preventing them airborne.

Wearing face covering can reduce the wearer's risk of catching the virus by 65%

There was a report on Medscape on July 10, 2020, in which Dr. Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious disease at UC Davis Children's Hospital, said that a “standard rectangular surgical mask . . . will decrease the risk of infection to the person wearing the mask by about 65%.”

Dr. Blumberg likened those who don't believe masks work to not believe in gravity. He also said not wearing face mask is an irresponsible behavior, “it is like double-dipping in the guacamole. You are not being nice to others.” President Trump encouraged his supporters not to wear face masks, it is like sending his people into the battle field without helmets.

To be realistic, a surgical mask may not be able to trap aerosols, that is why we also need to avoid the crowd and practice social distancing.

The surgical masks can reduce influenza virus RNA and coronavirus RNA in aerosols

A 6/2/2020 Nature Medicine article shows that the surgical masks can reduce influenza virus RNA and coronavirus RNA in aerosols, thus preventing transmission of coronavirus and influenza viruses. The study was done on the exhaled breath and coughs of children and adults with acute respiratory illness due to seasonal human coronaviruses (not SARS-CoV-2) and influenza viruses.

Hamsters with masks are protected from coronavirus infection

A study reported on May 2020 Clinical Infectious Disease showing hamsters wearing masks reduced coronavirus infections by more than half comparing with those hamsters without using masks when exposed to coronavirus.

The studies showing benefits of wearing face masks abound

A systemic review and beta analysis of 172 studies found that “face mask use could result in a large reduction in risk of infection.” This was published on 6/27/2020 Lancet. An article in Health Affairs revealed that state mask mandates may have prevented more than 230,000 coronavirus infections.