As we know, there continues to be no credible evidence for the public to wear masks, socially distance, and all the rest. And the science hasn’t changed for over a century (a topic for another article). We know the difference between real science and Common Core pretend science.
The latest CDC study of medical records published in the September MMWR Report, examining COVID-19 patients at 11 medical centers across the country, once again found virtually no difference among mask wearers and whether or not they got COVID-19. In fact, 70 percent of people positive for COVID-19 had religiously worn a mask. That report followed the meta-analysis of 14 randomized clinical trials published by the CDC in May in Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal. It, again, found no evidence to support face coverings by healthy or asymptomatic people in the community to reduce spread of viruses or COVID-19.
Just in time for the holidays, the latest study in the New England Journal of Medicine proved the point even more dramatically. They tested almost two thousand U.S. Marine recruits; they put them into near isolation with the most extreme precautions imaginable to try and limit the spread of the virus. It was stuff that bordered on inhumane in real life.
At the end of the study period, 1.9 percent of the study participants tested positive for COVID-19 … compared to 1.7 percent of those who had not participated and gone about life as normal. By the way, nearly all who tested positive had no symptoms.
Here’s what the study participants endured—none of which mattered at all:
- continually supervised
- quarantined for 2 weeks and had to test negative before they could come to training camp at Parris Island
- wore double-layer masks at all times, inside and out, and stayed 6 feet apart
- had segregated living quarters, all had different dining and training schedules so they never interacted
- were not allowed to leave campus or have access to any personal items, including phones
- had to wash their hands routinely
- rooms were cleaned daily; bathrooms were sanitized with bleach after every use
- deep bleach cleaning of baths, dorms, halls, showers after each class
- ate pre-plated meals, and the dining hall was cleaned with bleach after each platoon
- all activities and exercises were outdoors
- could only walk and move about in one direction, in and out of specific doors so they never crossed near each other
- had daily temperature and symptom screening
- were prohibited from any interaction with campus staff, including janitors and teachers
The U.S. Department of Defense has implemented these strict public health interventions, yet their own military study here shows they are worthless.
The government may never learn, but we can. It’s a virus and viruses are endemic. The only advice that continues to be sound, whether it’s cold and flu season or not, is stay home if you are sick and have a fever, and don’t hack all over other people. Don’t believe in that magical mask to protect others from you if you are sick. And please wash your hands after you-know-what—not because viruses live on surfaces (they don’t), but lots of other icky germs do and can be spread around.
Live your life. Enjoy people. Gather in church. Love your family and friends. Hug, smile, laugh, and sing. It’s okay. Pass the mashed potatoes, and have a blessed Thanksgiving.
This is a commentary republished with the author’s permission. If you wish to submit a commentary to Texas Scorecard, please submit your article to submission@texasscorecard.com.
