Parents sent their kids face masks to a lab for analysis

[deadbear]

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/scottmore ... d-n2591047

It only stands to reason that one of those health ramifications would be the fact that millions of people, particularly children, have been forced to wear and carry around pieces of cloth they've continually breathed through for hours on end. What lurking pathogens might be found on these disgusting contraptions being incessantly handled, stuck in pockets, and mindlessly tossed on books, tables, and desks? Well, one group of Florida parents sent a batch of masks worn by their children to a lab to find out. And yeah, you'll probably need to make sure you aren't eating dinner anytime soon before you digest THESE results.

Via press release:

Gainesville, FL (June 16, 2021) – A group of parents in Gainesville, FL, concerned about potential harms from masks, submitted six face masks to a lab for analysis. The resulting report found that five masks were contaminated with bacteria, parasites, and fungi, including three with dangerous pathogenic and pneumonia-causing bacteria. No viruses were detected on the masks, although the test is capable of detecting viruses.

The analysis detected the following 11 alarmingly dangerous pathogens on the masks:

• Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumonia)

• Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis)

• Neisseria meningitidis (meningitis, sepsis)

• Acanthamoeba polyphaga (keratitis and granulomatous amebic encephalitis)

• Acinetobacter baumanni (pneumonia, blood stream infections, meningitis, UTIs— resistant to antibiotics)

• Escherichia coli (food poisoning)

• Borrelia burgdorferi (causes Lyme disease)

• Corynebacterium diphtheriae (diphtheria)

• Legionella pneumophila (Legionnaires' disease)

• Staphylococcus pyogenes serotype M3 (severe infections—high morbidity rates)

• Staphylococcus aureus (meningitis, sepsis)

Half of the masks were contaminated with one or more strains of pneumonia-causing bacteria. One-third were contaminated with one or more strains of meningitis-causing bacteria. One-third were contaminated with dangerous, antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens. In addition, less dangerous pathogens were identified, including pathogens that can cause fever, ulcers, acne, yeast infections, strep throat, periodontal disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and more.

The face masks studied were new or freshly-laundered before wearing and had been worn for 5 to 8 hours, most during in-person schooling by children aged 6 through 11. One was worn by an adult. A t-shirt worn by one of the children at school and unworn masks were tested as controls. No pathogens were found on the controls. Proteins found on the t-shirt, for example, are not pathogenic to humans and are commonly found in hair, skin, and soil.

A parent who participated in the study, Ms. Amanda Donoho, commented that this small sample points to a need for more research: “We need to know what we are putting on the faces of our children each day. Masks provide a warm, moist environment for bacteria to grow.”

These local parents contracted with the lab because they were concerned about the potential of contaminants on masks that their children were forced to wear all day at school, taking them on and off, setting them on various surfaces, wearing them in the bathroom, etc. This prompted them to send the masks to the University of Florida’s Mass Spectrometry Research and Education Center for analysis.

Is the cure worse than the disease? After reading this article I am curious if any other studies exist on the potential dangers of using a mask for 5 to 8 hours. Are these kids for the last year being put at risk with reusing a mask day in and day out? Sounds like yes. How about airline crew who work the back on a 24 hour four day trip. How many of our crew actually change their mask often. My guess is most use the same mask for an entire four day trip. So is Covid more dangerous then the potential unclean reused mask for a four day trip?

[Aviatard]

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Overall, we rate Townhall Right Biased and Questionable based on consistent one-sided reporting that always favors the right and numerous failed fact checks. (7/19/2016) Updated (D. Van Zandt 4/12/2021)

[Inverted2]

I’ve pretty much kept mine under my nose since day 1 and only put it on when step into a store or the airport. Used to get read the riot act by the occasional Karen, but these days no one bothers me anymore.

[jlfd26]

My Doctor (medical doctor) wife said she was not surprised by the results at all. Almost to be expected. It just means the person wearing the mask that was tested is a carrier of any of those viruses or bacteria. As long as they don't share the masks they would not be at risk at all.

Once again It is just a big headline to get clicks

nothing to be afraid of in there

[montado]

Cloth masks are disgusting. I go through a box of 50 masks every week because I change my mask every hour. No way would I wear those stupid cloth masks issued my the company. They give you two... lol could you imagine being on a pairing with two masks? Would you wear the same underwear for two days? Lol

[Inverted2]

Cloth masks are disgusting. I go through a box of 50 masks every week because I change my mask every hour. No way would I wear those stupid cloth masks issued my the company. They give you two... lol could you imagine being on a pairing with two masks? Would you wear the same underwear for two days? Lol

Inside, outside, forwards, backwards. I got stuck in Pickle Lake for a week with 2 pairs once. I still had the best personal hygiene in town though.

[Human Factor]

The one glaring thing not found on those masks? Covid-19.....

[ReserveTank]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/mediabiasf ... %3Famp%3D1

Overall, we rate Townhall Right Biased and Questionable based on consistent one-sided reporting that always favors the right and numerous failed fact checks. (7/19/2016) Updated (D. Van Zandt 4/12/2021)

Lol at "fact-checking." Who is "we?"
Fact-checking is a leftist propaganda device which is propagated by leftist media (which is essentially most of the media available for mainstream consumption).
If you'll remember correctly, it was during the 2016 US elections that this thing really became entrenched into media. It's extremist editorialism at best. You even needed no proof to believe it, only their word. Kind of like religion. Huh.

[ReserveTank]

The one glaring thing not found on those masks? Covid-19.....

Great point, although the media is painting children as vile superspreaders.
These boomers need to go pound the eternal salt.

[photofly]

Half of the masks were contaminated with one or more strains of pneumonia-causing bacteria. One-third were contaminated with one or more strains of meningitis-causing bacteria. One-third were contaminated with dangerous, antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens. In addition, less dangerous pathogens were identified, including pathogens that can cause fever, ulcers, acne, yeast infections, strep throat, periodontal disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and more

Thank goodness those pathogens were trapped in the mask then, instead of breathed, sneezed and coughed out all over the other children and adults at hme and in the school. Seriously, do you want all that shit floating in the air that you breathe, or safely trapped on a mask where it doesn't get into your lungs?

Masks provide a warm, moist environment for bacteria to grow.

True, but deliberately misleading. Bacteria need a warm moist environment to multiply, but they also need food. That's why you have to plate them on an agar gel to culture and count them. You can't grow them on a cloth mask.

I think this is prima facie evidence that mask wearing should be compulsory in all public areas, going forward, pandemic or none. Think of how many infections with all those nasty illnesses that the study identifies would be prevented.

[ReserveTank]

Half of the masks were contaminated with one or more strains of pneumonia-causing bacteria. One-third were contaminated with one or more strains of meningitis-causing bacteria. One-third were contaminated with dangerous, antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens. In addition, less dangerous pathogens were identified, including pathogens that can cause fever, ulcers, acne, yeast infections, strep throat, periodontal disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and more

Thank goodness those pathogens were trapped in the mask then, instead of breathed, sneezed and coughed out all over the other children and adults at hme and in the school. Seriously, do you want all that shit floating in the air that you breathe, or safely trapped on a mask where it doesn't get into your lungs?

Masks provide a warm, moist environment for bacteria to grow.

True, but deliberately misleading. Bacteria need a warm moist environment to multiply, but they also need food. That's why you have to plate them on an agar gel to culture and count them. You can't grow them on a cloth mask.

I think this is prima facie evidence that mask wearing should be compulsory in all public areas, going forward, pandemic or none. Think of how many infections with all those nasty illnesses that the study identifies would be prevented.

No, retard, you're supposed to expel pathogens into the air and get them away from your body. You're not meant to keep pathogens all over your face and rebreathe them. Cough, sneeze...any idea why the body does this? Our immune systems are designed to fight these when you catch them as airborne particles. When the immune system lacks daily exposure to these pathogens, you can can get very ill when you finally do come into contact.
So yes, Generation Fern Gully, we do want that shit floating around in the air. It's important to get sick sometimes. It's basic biology. What you're saying is complete anti-science.

[photofly]

No, retard, you're supposed to expel pathogens into the air and get them away from your body. You're not meant to keep pathogens all over your face and rebreathe them. Cough, sneeze...any idea why the body does this? Our immune systems are designed to fight these when you catch them as airborne particles. When the immune system lacks daily exposure to these pathogens, you can can get very ill when you finally do come into contact.
So yes, Generation Fern Gully, we do want that shit floating around in the air. It's important to get sick sometimes. It's basic biology. What you're saying is complete anti-science.

You need to get your story straight.

If it's important to have daily exposure to pathogens then there's no harm in being exposed to pathogens that you've already expelled on to the mask you're wearing.

If it's important to get sick sometimes then why are you complaining about the presence of pathogens on masks? All they can possibly do is make you sick, which, according to you, is a Good Thing.

we do want that shit floating around in the air

*You* can have people with strep throat and TB bacteria in their mouths cough all over your face, if you want. I'd rather they wear a mask.

Coughs and sneezes are reflex reactions to try to clear a blocked airway. Disease-causing organisms exploit these reflexes by triggering them to spread more effectively by aerosolization. You should cover your coughs and sneezes to reduce the spread of disease. Neither coughing nor sneezing is effective in ridding the body of pathogens.

This whole anti-mask thing is hilarious bullshit. But if it keeps you occupied and prevents you from doing any real harm, I guess it's worth entertaining.

[ReserveTank]

No, retard, you're supposed to expel pathogens into the air and get them away from your body. You're not meant to keep pathogens all over your face and rebreathe them. Cough, sneeze...any idea why the body does this? Our immune systems are designed to fight these when you catch them as airborne particles. When the immune system lacks daily exposure to these pathogens, you can can get very ill when you finally do come into contact.
So yes, Generation Fern Gully, we do want that shit floating around in the air. It's important to get sick sometimes. It's basic biology. What you're saying is complete anti-science.

You need to get your story straight.

If it's important to have daily exposure to pathogens then there's no harm in being exposed to pathogens that you've already expelled on to the mask you're wearing.

If it's important to get sick sometimes then why are you complaining about the presence of pathogens on masks? All they can possibly do is make you sick, which, according to you, is a Good Thing.

we do want that shit floating around in the air

*You* can have people with strep throat and TB bacteria in their mouths cough all over your face, if you want. I'd rather they wear a mask.

Coughs and sneezes are reflex reactions to try to clear a blocked airway. Disease-causing organisms exploit these reflexes by triggering them to spread more effectively by aerosolization. You should cover your coughs and sneezes to reduce the spread of disease. Neither coughing nor sneezing is effective in ridding the body of pathogens.

This whole anti-mask thing is hilarious bullshit. But if it keeps you occupied and prevents you from doing any real harm, I guess it's worth entertaining.

You're illiterate to the point of malice. The other half of the point is that the pathogens, once expelled, should not be all over your face.
It's important that we become sick from normal means, you know, each other's aerosol expulsion. As in, the thing we have been doing since the beginning of time.
About anti-masks, when did you start wearing one? When they told you to? Or before?

[photofly]

The other half of the point is that the pathogens, once expelled, should not be all over your face.
It's important that we become sick from normal means, you know, each other's aerosol expulsion. As in, the thing we have been doing since the beginning of time.

Why is it important that pathogens aren't all over your face? Why is it important that they are airborne, where they can infect people, and not all over your face, where they can't? A moment's though will make you realize you have that backwards.

I think what's actually important that we don't become sick at all, from any means. That's my goal. Among the things we've been doing since the beginning of time (until recently) have been dying of TB, getting paralyzed by polio, not to mention dysentery, scarlet fever, typhus, typhoid fever and a whole lot of other nasty conditions. "We've been doing X since the beginning of time" isn't a very compelling argument for any of these things.

I'm fascinated that you think aerosol expulsion of pathogens is a good thing. I've really never heard that before. Did you invent it yourself, or are there any mainstream medical authorities that support that opinion?

About anti-masks, when did you start wearing one? When they told you to? Or before?

I hadn't worn a mask, before the pandemic. I have however always tried to cover my coughs and sneezes. Do you not do that?

[ReserveTank]

Why is it important that they are airborne, where they can infect people

Stop right there. That's the good question. That is how our immune system gets its practice. That's how we don't immediately die when we catch a flu (barring comorbidities, of course). There's pneumonia circulating all over the place. We catch it all the time and don't know it, because guess why? Our systems have been practicing on small amounts of airborne germs and remaining proficient. A new strain might come along and make us sick, but the immune system can learn to recognize it for next time. That's how we've survived on this planet so far.

I'm fascinated that you think aerosol expulsion of pathogens is a good thing. I've really never heard that before. Did you invent it yourself

Immunological memory. In fact, I cannot take credit for it. This is 9th grade biology. Read a book sometime.

I hadn't worn a mask, before the pandemic. I have however always tried to cover my coughs and sneezes. Do you not do that?

So you weren't wearing them before but now you're hardcore pro-mask. That's the power of propaganda.
Sure, you're supposed to cover sneezes because it's our First World civilization attempting to not be rude. But let's be honest, some of that sneeze into your arm still spreads...and it should. That's how we as humans pass on diseases and defeat their ability to kill us.

[photofly]

No public health authority or qualified physician thinks it’s a good idea to aerosolize dangerous pathogens to prevent illness.

The Centers For Disease Control (to pick just one among every public health body in the world) says covering coughs and sneezes is a good idea because it prevents illness:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nc ... poster.pdf

So does Public Health Ontario:
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/me ... ignage.pdf

You might know better, of course. But I don’t think it’s very likely.

I’m actually not particularly pro- or against masks. But if I were looking for positive evidence as to their efficacy and the benefits of wearing them, the study quoted in the first post would be it.

[notwhoyouthinkIam]

If you're going to wear a reusable mask, wash it.

You don't wear the same underwear over and over and over without washing it.

What a stupid conclusion to come to from this article.

[Aviatard]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/mediabiasf ... %3Famp%3D1

Overall, we rate Townhall Right Biased and Questionable based on consistent one-sided reporting that always favors the right and numerous failed fact checks. (7/19/2016) Updated (D. Van Zandt 4/12/2021)

Lol at "fact-checking." Who is "we?"
Fact-checking is a leftist propaganda device which is propagated by leftist media (which is essentially most of the media available for mainstream consumption).
If you'll remember correctly, it was during the 2016 US elections that this thing really became entrenched into media. It's extremist editorialism at best. You even needed no proof to believe it, only their word. Kind of like religion. Huh.

This post hits every note from the right wing extreme disinformation playbook. Deny truth. Attack sources. Blame “leftist media”. Well done.

[montado]

Masking is so dumb, it's a virus displacement mechanism at best. If you ever wonder why masks have done next to nothing this pandemic the video below may explain.



Had covid been a lethal virus like Ebola you think I'd be out at work with my mask? You think I'd go on a plane and remove it to eat and drink and then put it back on?

The reasons masks work so great is because people think that when people who don't have covid, don't spread covid, that's proof that masks stop covid.

[pecessix]

A youtube video as a reference? I think you are a dangerous right-leftist conspiracist anti-vax flat earther and we are all going to die because of you!