Scientific studies recently published have demonstrated that non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as the wearing of face masks, physical distancing, and lockdowns, are effective at reducing the spread of COVID-19. These measures have been an integral part of the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Developing a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is a difficult process, owing in part to the novelty of the virus. Operation Warp Speed is a public-private partnership in the U.S. that was launched in order to financially foster the delivery of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. The pharmaceutical company Pfizer is participating in Operation Warp Speed to produce and distribute a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine once it has proved to be efficient and is authorized by the FDA, which will happen in late November 2020 at the earliest. However, contrary to other companies, Pfizer conducted the research and development of its vaccine candidate using its own funding, therefore this part of the process was independent of Operation Warp Speed.
Scientific studies have associated flu with a higher risk of secondary infection with other viruses and bacteria. Face masks are effective at reducing the spread of viral respiratory infections like COVID-19 and the flu. Face masks are safe to use and not associated with an increased risk of bacterial pneumonia or other health problems.
It is premature to make conclusions about the number of flu deaths for the current flu season, as the season just began and flu deaths do not peak until later in the season. There is no evidence supporting the claim that any observed reduction in the number of flu deaths this season is the result of data manipulation. Instead, the lower level of flu activity observed this season is likely due, in part, to public health measures implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
There is no evidence supporting the claim by Yan et al. that genetic sequences of several coronaviruses were fabricated to support the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 arose naturally. The presence of highly similar or identical gene and protein sequences are common among organisms that are evolutionarily related to each other. Therefore, it is expected that members of the coronavirus family share similar or identical genetic or protein features. Scientific evidence supports the hypothesis that the virus arose naturally in wildlife before it crossed over to humans.
Excess mortality is a measure of how many more deaths have occurred over a period of time as compared to the same period in previous years. During the first 34 weeks of 2020, 280,000 more people died than during the first 34 weeks of any of the five previous years. From March to August 2020, the number of weekly deaths was consistently higher compared to the weekly deaths of any of the previous five years. The 280,000 excess deaths that occurred in 2020 thus far are likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scientific evidence demonstrates that face masks reduce the transmission of viral respiratory infections like COVID-19 and the flu. However, they do not provide 100% protection from infection. Therefore, additional measures like physical distancing and good hand hygiene are important as additional protection. In the case of the flu, a preventative vaccine is available, making it another useful measure for enhancing protection against flu. Like face masks, the flu vaccine does not provide 100% protection. But even in cases where the vaccine does not prevent the flu, it can still help to reduce the severity of illness and in turn the likelihood of flu-related complications and death.
Flu vaccines are updated each year based on the circulating strain of the virus and undergo clinical trials to ensure their safety. Mild, short-lived side effects from flu shots are common, such as pain at the site of injection, soreness and fever. These side effects result from the intended immune response stimulated by the vaccine. Serious adverse reactions to flu shots are very rare and can be associated with allergic reactions to specific ingredients in the vaccine.The benefits provided by the flu vaccine largely outweigh the risks for the population. Flu vaccination is particularly important this year given the risks of coinfection by the flu and COVID-19.
Face masks are effective at reducing the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 by limiting the transmission of respiratory droplets. Scientific evidence does not support the claim that wearing face masks increases the risk of oral and skin infections or bacterial overgrowth. In some cases, prolonged wearing of face masks might cause skin irritation, but this can be prevented by selecting comfortable masks and following proper hygiene guidelines.
“The Telegraph headline is obviously misleading but the subheading is accurate. Masks don’t give immunity; rather, the argument is that infections are milder or asymptomatic and allow immunity without severe disease. The article is essentially true to the NEJM commentary, however a reader could become confused and think that the article suggests masks give you COVID-19 immunity.”
