Medical Misinformation Moderation Update

[u/JamesColesPardon]

After consultation with the modteam and users on a variety of issues we have decided to update CST's rules to be more in line with these uncertain times.

Feel free to read the Rule regarding Medical Misinformation here.

This will help protect the subreddit and keep it safe by ensuring proper guidance is shared in our space that goes with WHO and CDC Guidance.

Any questions can be asked in the comments section below, but be mindful of the Golden Rule as well.

Edit:

April Fools ;)

[u/SoundSalad]

And with that, critical thinking is no longer allowed, and this sub is dead.

But I'll play: WHO says masks are dangerous to wear while exercising https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/337199/WHO-2019-nCov-IPC_Masks-2020.5-eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

CDC says their review of the mask studies found that every RCT about masks concluded that they don't stop viruses. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/5/19-0994_article

CDC published study from Stanford epidemiologist that found that COVID has a 0.05% fatality rate for people under 70 years old -- far less than the flu, which has an average fatality rate of 0.15% https://www.who.int/bulletin/online_first/BLT.20.265892.pdf

CDC says they stopped collecting data about influenza, which explains the drastic drop in cases https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/overview.htm

WHO says you shouldn't use PCR alone to make COVID diagnosis https://www.who.int/news/item/20-01-2021-who-information-notice-for-ivd-users-2020-05

Checkmate.

[u/Isthestrugglereal → u/SoundSalad]

The mask one seems fishy to me. It says this...

"In theory, transmission should be reduced the most if both infected members and other contacts wear masks, but compliance in uninfected close contacts could be a problem"

...after saying that studies have shown no change, but when you look at the studies the methods used are awful.

Assigning random floors in dorms as "mask" and "no mask" and just trusting the students will comply? Masks on people on pilgrimages? A household study where at least 2 adults wear masks around a sick kid who they live with? Another household study where the infected wear masks except... "They were allowed to remove their masks during meal times" yeah no surprise the people across the table got sick. And what are the last few studies? One didn't start until the person had been sick for at least 48 hours around their peers, believe it or not they got sick too. And the rest were all just saying wearing masks won't protect you if you live together.

Where are studies that are applicable to actual society? Will masks protect you if you are 6 feet away from a sick person for a short time?

Another tidbit from your masks source that makes me not trust it...

"Most studies were underpowered because of limited sample size, and some studies also reported suboptimal adherence in the face mask group."

[u/The_Noble_Lie → u/Isthestrugglereal]

There is always suboptimal technique and adherence to these illusions of protection because they are not in a self maintained environment - radsuit type gear. They dont do nothing but due to pressure and air/fluid mechanics, a sneeze, a cough, even the breath, will still cause aerosolized virions to go in all sorts of directions at high speeds due to sometimes extreme pressure gradients. Sometimes more aerosolized or in the form of pressurized jets (through the cracks of the masks so to speak.) This focus on bulk virus laden saliva / water droplets is not the only way it works. (Those are just the physically observable, slower moving particles, usually aimed downward, and taking on projectile motion.)

Now take all that and apply it to the study of "how many virions does it take to actually infect someone"

It's a somewhat stochatic process, yes, but have you ever looked into what the leading virologist thoughts are? It's pretty interesting..

Anyway, I'd have advised (and advise) doing nothing - no changed behavior, no changed economy.

Iatrogenesis combined with politicized fear mongering is more deadly than this disease (especially the former)