The mask is to both protect others and yourself from spreading or becoming infected, respectively. If a person's test becomes positive, does the mask keep more virus while shedding within the lungs, increasing more infected lung tissue by not expelling free virus into the environment? In other words, does the mask act like a cork in a wine bottle? Thus, causing more compromised alveoli cells, increasing the cytokine storm damage, increasing hypoxia due to massive assembly, replication, and shedding of virus merely by the simple mask?
@maurro how do we mitigate this problem. Imagine a large majority of acute infected SARS COV2 patients that are being masked or even mechanically vented with a high positive end expiratory pressure and O2 forcing freshly shedded virus right back into lung tissue and actually perpetuating the virus life cycle?
We need to change the strategy for Acute SARS COV2 infection in regards to masking. In my opinion, more innovative uses of UV light devices to inactivate virus. SARS COV2 is exceptionally susceptible to UV light across all spectrums,(Heßling, 2020) I had a previous idea of using UV LED diodes within the intubation tube in severe cases. AYTU Bioscience also had this idea in mind in September 2020 and is in clinical trials at Mt Sinai Medical Center, (AYTU, 2020). However, more devices can potentially help such as:
1. A special mask that has UV diodes to inactivates the virus during blow-off exhales.
2. A tent intubation ventilator system with incorporated UV diodes for blow off exhales/
3. Nasal cannula O2 with intranasal UV diodes that flash pulse the inner nasal passages where ACE2 expression for SARS COV2 spike is high.
4. A level 4 hot zone Biosuite head unit, space suite helmet type, or modified motorcycle helmet that incorporates UV diodes within the inside and away from the face and eyes.
References:
Aytu BioScience Announces Manufacture and Delivery of Healight(TM) Devices for Use in COVID-19 Clinical Study (yahoo.com)
Heßling, M., Hönes, K., Vatter, P., & Lingenfelder, C. (2020). Ultraviolet irradiation doses for coronavirus inactivation - review and analysis of coronavirus photoinactivation studies. GMS hygiene and infection control, 15, Doc08. https://doi.org/10.3205/dgkh000343
How can we push this issue to get the research started or how can we influence the CDC, NIH, and other pertinent entities to at least be aware of this potential problem that needs to be at least addressed to challenge current guidance? In other words, who can we turn to that will take this serious? An email? A medical news investigator anchor?
I am still hoping for more opinions on this topic especially now that there are several mutation strains that are thriving.
Not only mask, we have to develop one more practice to wear gloves every day outside of the house...
I still cannot believe no one wants to address this as simple mitigation that could potentially save lives and especially during the first 10 days of acute infection.
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