MHST 631 Unit 4 Activity 2 Health Misinformation Debunking Deadly Masks

The rise of health misinformation sharing has been facilitated by the proliferation of social media over the recent decades (Suárez-Lledó & Álvarez‐Gálvez, 2021). In order to combat misinformation sharing, evidence based information needs to be deciphered and shared in understandable, user friendly format with credible references on prominent platforms. Twitter is a prominent platform associated with the dissemination of health misinformation (Suárez-Lledó & Álvarez‐Gálvez, 2021).

The Myth

Throughout the COVID 19 pandemic, social media posts regarding the potential harmful effects of mask mandates began circulating with misinformation (Goodman & Carmichael, 2020). These claims included how masks decreased oxygen levels, could cause harmful levels of carbon dioxide and harm the immune system (Goodman & Carmichael, 2020). He et al., (20210 found during their week long study that 10% of ‘mask’ tweets shared anti mask content. Prominent organizations such as Alberta Health Services (AHS) and World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged the circulating myths and began publishing information sheets and circulating infographics. 

The Scientific Truth 

The scientific data associated with deadly mask myths acknowledges that mask wearing may be uncomfortable, it has no effects on carbon dioxide levels or oxygen deprivation (AHS, 2021; WHO, 2022). Despite these being prominent credible sources, both provide statements with minimal referencing, but state the obvious about healthcare settings utilizing surgical masks for long periods with no adverse effects (AHS, 2021). A quick literature search provides various studies and articles debunking the myths highlighted by the pandemic. Baig & Perez (2022) 

highlighted the importance of masking wearing is safe for the general public but did find that some dyspnea prone individuals could find difficulty wearing a mask and exertion. Shein et al. (2021) study on oxygenation and ventilation at rest or during physical activity while wearing a mask showed that among the 50 participants, non showed decreased oxygen levels or carbon dioxide levels or heart rate. 

On the flip side, Brosseau & Sietsema (2020) who would be considered experts on respiratory protection based on their author information, published an article on the minimal evidence on the effects of cloth masks as source of protection. This article acknowledge a request for removal based on various reasons such as limited data to support cloth masks, supporting anti mask movements (Brosseau & Sietsema, 2020). 

Considering the evidence, wearing a mask does not hinder oxygen or carbon dioxide levels. It is important to consider how emerging evidence or evolving situations can have decisions based on available information at the time. The pandemic is an example of an evolving health concern in which as evidence becomes available, credible sources may evolve or update guidelines that could be considered a refute of previous recommendations.  

References

Alberta Health Services. (2021, October 14). Myth and facts when it comes to wearing masks. Beyond the headlines. https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/Blogs/BTH/Posting335.aspx

Baig, S., & Perez, R. (2022). "I can't breathe with my mask on". The American journal of the medical sciences, 363(6), 463–464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjms.2022.03.006

Brossaeu, L. & Sietsema, M. (2020, April 1). Commentary: Masks-for-all for COVID-19 not based on sound data. CIDRAP.   https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/commentary-masks-all-covid-19-not-based-sound-data

Goodman, J. & Carmichael, F. (2020, July 24). Coronavirus: ‘Deadly masks’ claims debunked. BBC.  https://www.bbc.com/news/53108405

He, L., He, C., Reynolds, T. L., Bai, Q., Huang, Y., Li, C., Zheng, K., & Chen, Y. (2021). Why do people oppose mask wearing? A comprehensive analysis of U.S. tweets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 28(7), 1564–1573. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocab047

Shein, S. L., Whitticar, S., Mascho, K. K., Pace, E., Speicher, R., & Deakins, K. (2021). The effects of wearing facemasks on oxygenation and ventilation at rest and during physical activity. PloS one, 16(2), e0247414. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247414

Suárez-Lledó, V., & Álvarez‐Gálvez, J. (2021). Prevalence of health Misinformation on social media: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(1), e17187.https://doi.org/10.2196/17187

World Health Organization (WHO). (2022, January 19). COVID-19 Myth Busters. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters#oxygen