Did the "Experts" get the COVID-19 Epidemiology wrong?
philipmcmillan.substack.com
Did the "Experts" get the COVID-19 Epidemiology wrong?
Open discussion and debate is fundamental to understanding and progressing science.
In this interview, we bring expertise from all corners of the world to review decisions in the pandemic.
What are the successes and failures?
Professor Amitav Banerjee - Epidemiology (India)
Mark Keeley - Health Administration (Canada)
Dr Shankara Chetty - Family Practitioner (South Africa)
Dr Philip McMillan - Physician (UK)
Demonstrating that science is objective and open when seeking answers.
That Canadian had my blood boiling. So many points to counter I lost count. Talk about losing the plot.
Sadly, he's par for the course here.
I wish he had a less arrogant, and more thoughtful tone and demeanour like yourself and the other two gentlemen.
Canada is offering little to the conversation. I felt like taking him by the ear and apologizing to the world.
Dr. McMillan, it always helps me to ask multiple people the same question to gain the greatest understanding and broadest perspective. Regarding masks, I listened carefully to your Canadian guest Mark Keeley's position on the effectiveness of masks. It is my understanding he believe masks are to protect others, not the person wearing the mask. What is the evidence supporting Mark Keeley statement that masks protect those not wearing masks? I believe it was Dr. Banerjee that referred to the latest Cochrane study, this study is the highest quality evidence available on the effectiveness of masks. The study is a database systematic review, published January 30, 2023, which included data from 78 randomized clinical trials, and concluded that masks do not work for flu or SARS-CoV-2 and there is no strong rationale for mask mandates. The paper states “wearing masks (medical/surgical) in the community probably makes little or no difference to the outcome of laboratory‐confirmed influenza/SARS‐CoV‐2 compared to not wearing masks" and “there were no clear differences between the use of medical/surgical masks compared with N95/P2 respirators in healthcare workers when used in routine care to reduce respiratory viral infection.” Of course, there is the possibility that masks do reduce the transmission of the virus, but there is apparently no evidence to support this possibility. Is the study not clear, there is no evidence that masks reduce transmission, not even N95 or P2 respirators? I am genuinely confused by Mark Keeley's statement that masks protect others. Is Mark following the science or ignoring the science? Below is a link to the transcript of the interview with the lead author, Tom Jefferson, of the study in which he is even more clear on the effectiveness of masks. I would very much appreciate your honest and direct perspective.
https://maryannedemasi.substack.com/p/exclusive-lead-author-of-new-cochrane?publication_id=1044435&post_id=100756872&isFreemail=false