LIMITING VIRAL TRANSMISSION
The Wrong Way to Minimize Germ Sharing
It’s not common anymore, but you still see it; someone wearing a mask. Is it possible that so many people have ignored or not been exposed to the truth that chronic mask-wearing is harmful? Perhaps some have an immunocompromised loved one at home? Perhaps others are just getting over a cold and don’t want to spread it? If there’s one thing that has been ingrained into people over the last 3 years, it’s that we don’t want to harm others with our “germs.” Mask wearing has proven to NOT be effective at preventing the spread of illness, particularly viral illness. A recent Cochrane review of many different mask wearing studies concluded that when considering the spread of viral illness…”wearing masks in the community probably makes little or no difference to the outcome of influenza-like illness (ILI)/COVID-19-like illness compared to not wearing masks” and that, “the use of a N95/P2 respirators compared to medical/surgical masks probably makes little or no difference for the objective and more precise outcome of laboratory-confirmed influenza infection.”[1]
How to Effectively Reduce Viral Infections
If masks don’t work to prevent you from getting or spreading illness, what does? The spread of viral illness (and other pathogens) can be reduced by several different approaches that have almost completely been neglected (in favor of the single, ineffective approach of mask wearing):
- To reduce the chance that you will spread a virus when you are ill, you will want to reduce the viral load (total number of viruses) that you are carrying in your nose and throat and reduce the number of people whom you encounter. This can be done by
- Staying home when possible.
- Strengthening your innate immune system (which destroys virally infected cells) by making sure you are sufficient in antioxidants (Vitamin C), Vitamin D, and zinc.
- Nebulizing, or gargling and/or rinsing your nose with a saline solution that contains a ¼ tsp per pint of 5% Lugol’s iodine or food grade 3% hydrogen peroxide a few times a day (and before going out).[2]
- Utilizing an anti-viral nasal spray. These usually combine iodine with carrageenan to reduce viral load in the nasal cavity.
- Taking a medication or supplement as part of your treatment protocol (for respiratory illness) that reduces viral replication, such as hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, or even quercetin and zinc.
- Using a protocol, such as the one developed by Dr. Brownstein, that reduces viral load. His protocol to treat viral respiratory illness can be found in A Holistic Approach to Viruses.[3]
- To reduce the chance of contracting a viral illness, it is important to destroy viruses (or other pathogens) that make it into the body. Many of the methods listed in #1 will increase the likelihood that pathogens are destroyed before they are able to set up an infection. A strong immune system is always an important defense against infection.
- To reduce transmissions of viruses/pathogens in public spaces, society MUST implement what are known as “engineering controls.” This simply means an effort to reduce the number of pathogens in the environment. This can be done in many different ways.
- Increase air flow to dilute the number of pathogens in the air. This may be as simple as opening some windows, turning on a fan, or increasing the air intake of outside air as well as air flow of a commercial ventilation system.
- Homes, schools, and businesses should have an air filtration system installed that destroys pathogens. One of the nation’s leading industrial hygiene experts, Stephen E. Petty, P.E. CIH., C.S.P. of EES, recommends that needle point ionization technology be added to the intake fan of HVAC systems.[4] This type of air filtration system will destroy viruses, bacteria and fungi making it a great all-around investment even after COVID spread diminishes.
- Use UV light/sunlight to disinfect areas- Laboratories disinfect using UV light and there is no reason UV lights could not be installed in bathrooms and above keypads. These UV lights can be controlled by movement such that they turn off when the bathroom or keypad is NOT in use. It is odd that even after 3 years of concern about viral transmission, these types of products have not been developed and put into common usage. However, an overview of some UV sanitizing products that are available can be found in the internet article “The 10 Best UV Sanitizers in 2021-UV Sanitizer Devices” (popularmechanics.com).[5]
- Learn more about what masks do and do NOT protect from and how to properly protect yourself from a variety of hazards from industrial hygienist Stephen Petty by watching his Rumble channel, entitled “Petty Podcasts.”
We all want to be good stewards of our own health and the health of those we interact with. However, it is important to take steps that reduce disease transmission and promote health and not just succumb to the media-driven narrative. Our actions must be governed by truth and not our sensitivity to how others perceive us. Stand on truth, take the mask off, and implement strategies that have been shown to work.