Search Results for coronavirus

Facebook posts spread unsupported anonymous claim that face mask use caused a lung infection in a healthy teenager

A highly viral anonymous message circulating on Facebook makes numerous claims about face mask safety that have previously been shown to be unsupported by scientific evidence. Face mask filters are large enough to allow gas molecules such as carbon dioxide and oxygen to pass through freely, hence wearing a face mask is extremely unlikely to lead to hypercapnia. There is no scientific basis for the claim that breathing in one’s exhaled bacteria leads to infection.

Facebook posts misinterpret a study of 455 contacts of an asymptomatic COVID-19 carrier to claim that asymptomatic spread does not occur

Many Facebook posts have misinterpreted a study which examined the incidence of COVID-19 infections among 455 people who had been exposed to an asymptomatic carrier, claiming that it showed masks are not needed or that asymptomatic transmission does not occur. However, it is clear from reading the full study that all 455 contacts wore at least a face mask, except while eating or drinking, during exposure. In fact, the study’s authors concluded that “Effective prevention and control measures are helpful to prevent COVID-19 spread of asymptomatic carriers.” Scientific evidence also suggests that asymptomatic spread can and does occur.

The main cause of death in COVID-19 patients is respiratory insufficiency arising from viral pneumonia, not clotting disorder as claimed in viral social media posts

The article contains numerous inaccuracies about COVID-19. Firstly, while coagulopathy (blood clotting disorder) does occur in some COVID-19 patients, the evidence to date indicates that viral pneumonia is the main cause of death in COVID-19 patients, not clotting disorders as claimed. Secondly, antibiotics, antivirals, anti-inflammatories and anticoagulants are already being used in current COVID-19 treatment protocols, contrary to the article’s suggestion that they are not. Finally, ventilators and intensive care units are crucial for treating COVID-19 patients, in spite of the article’s claim that these are “not needed”.

Mortality in the U.S. noticeably increased during the first months of 2020 compared to previous years

A comparison of the number of deaths from all causes in the U.S. during the first 17 weeks of 2020 reveals a higher mortality than for the same period in any of the previous five years. While the death count was comparable to previous years in the first two months of 2020, it increased rapidly in March and April. Comparisons of mortality are highly sensitive to how the data are gathered and presented, therefore any claims based on the data must always be presented in the appropriate context. Since its outbreak in the U.S., COVID-19 has claimed more lives than diabetes, suicide, or stroke.

The first SARS-CoV-2 infections in humans occurred during fall 2019, but not enough evidence exists to confirm a global spread before early 2020

Viruses accumulate mutations in their genomes as they spread from person to person. By comparing the genomes of different SARS-CoV-2 samples collected at different times in different places, and by combining these data with contact tracing data, it is possible to establish the genealogy and mutation rate of SARS-CoV-2, and thereby trace its origin and when and where it spread. Current data indicates that SARS-CoV-2 made its jump from animals to humans sometime during Fall 2019 and had already spread outside of China by January 2020.

Wearing face masks does not cause hypercapnia or affect the immune system

Face masks help to limit contact with infectious droplets which carry pathogens. However, the material used for face masks are still porous enough to allow gas molecules, such as carbon dioxide and oxygen, to pass through, and do not significantly impair gas exchange to the point of causing hypercapnia. No scientific evidence supports the claim that the use of face masks weakens the immune system.

Current evidence suggests that COVID-19 may have a higher fatality rate than the flu, but a definitive conclusion requires more studies

Preliminary studies have estimated a wide range of values for the IFR of COVID-19, ranging from 0.2 to 1.6%, which supports the claim that it is more lethal than the flu, which has an IFR of about 0.04%. However, it is difficult to accurately assess IFR in the middle of an outbreak of a previously unstudied disease, due to its unfamiliar clinical features, underestimation of infections, overloaded healthcare facilities, and the lack of effective treatments. Therefore, accurate estimates must wait for the completion of extensive studies worldwide.