{"id":598720,"date":"2021-07-21T09:20:31","date_gmt":"2021-07-21T13:20:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=598720"},"modified":"2021-07-21T10:25:11","modified_gmt":"2021-07-21T14:25:11","slug":"author-of-retracted-study-on-harm-of-mask-wearing-by-children-says-removal-was-political","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/author-of-retracted-study-on-harm-of-mask-wearing-by-children-says-removal-was-political\/","title":{"rendered":"Author of Retracted Study on Harm of Mask-Wearing by Children Says Removal Was \u2018Political\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fauthor-of-retracted-study-on-harm-of-mask-wearing-by-children-says-removal-was-political%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=598720&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The lead author of a now-retracted research note that claimed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/t-children\">children<\/a>\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/t-masks\">masks<\/a> trapped dangerously high concentrations of carbon dioxide has said that JAMA Pediatrics\u2019 decision to pull the paper was politically motivated.<\/p>\n<p>The research note, \u201cExperimental Assessment of Carbon Dioxide Content in Inhaled Air With or Without Face Masks in Healthy Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial,\u201d authored by Harald Walach and colleagues, was <a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamapediatrics\/fullarticle\/2781743\">published in June.<\/a>\u00a0Based on measurements of carbon dioxide in air inhaled by 45 children between six and 17 years of age, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/t-study\">study<\/a> found that children wearing face masks were inhaling carbon dioxide levels \u201cdeemed unacceptable by the German Federal Environmental Office by a factor of 6.\u201d The researchers concluded that their findings \u201csuggest that children should not be forced to wear face masks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>JAMA Pediatrics retracted the research letter on July 16. In a <a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamapediatrics\/fullarticle\/2782288\">retraction notice<\/a>, Dr. Dmitri Christakis and Dr. Phil Fontanarosa cited \u201cnumerous scientific issues\u201d raised about the study methodology, including concerns whether the proper device was used to measure carbon dioxide levels and if the measurements were an accurate reflection of carbon dioxide levels in inhaled air, along with \u201cissues related to the validity of the study conclusions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn their invited responses to these and other concerns, the authors did not provide sufficiently convincing evidence to resolve these issues, as determined by editorial evaluation and additional scientific review,\u201d Christakis and Pontanarosa wrote.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGiven fundamental concerns about the study methodology, uncertainty regarding the validity of the findings and conclusions, and the potential public health implications, the editors have retracted this Research Letter,\u201d they added.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3823826\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-598726\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Louisville-Schools-Open-For-In-Person-kid-mask-children-1200x798-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"798\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Louisville-Schools-Open-For-In-Person-kid-mask-children-1200x798-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Louisville-Schools-Open-For-In-Person-kid-mask-children-1200x798-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Louisville-Schools-Open-For-In-Person-kid-mask-children-1200x798-1-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Louisville-Schools-Open-For-In-Person-kid-mask-children-1200x798-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Louisville-Schools-Open-For-In-Person-kid-mask-children-1200x798-1-922x613.jpg 922w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Louisville-Schools-Open-For-In-Person-kid-mask-children-1200x798-1-675x449.jpg 675w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Louisville-Schools-Open-For-In-Person-kid-mask-children-1200x798-1-480x319.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-3823826\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/utah-student-1200x800-1.jpg\" alt=\"In-Person Schooling Continues In Utah As Many Districts Across The Nation Struggle To Return\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" \/><\/noscript>A student works on a computer at a Provo, Utah, school on Feb. 10, 2021. (George Frey\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>But Walach, who holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Basel, Switzerland, told Just The News in <a href=\"https:\/\/justthenews.com\/nation\/science\/jamas-retraction-paper-masks-harming-children-was-political-lead-author-says\">an emailed statement<\/a> that JAMA did not specify how he failed \u201cto provide sufficiently convincing evidence\u201d to back his conclusions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would actually also like to see how those conclusions were reached, but I am afraid that there was no solid conclusion,\u201d he told the outlet. Walach pointed to \u201cpotential public health implications\u201d as a \u201ckey phrase\u201d in the retraction notice that, to him, suggests \u201cthe retraction was political, because some people did not like our data.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Walach\u2019s study has, thus far, drawn 21 official comments, most of which are critical. In a written response to the comments (<a href=\"https:\/\/retractionwatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Response-to-Comments_3.docx\">docx<\/a>), Walach and colleagues defended their research.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFacts are not constituted by single studies, but by multiple replications and discourse,\u201d they wrote. \u201cThis is the first peer-reviewed study of carbon dioxide content under face masks in children in a short measurement set-up. The measurements, we contend, are valid and were conducted by individuals with high content expertise.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf someone doubts our results, the way to go is not to claim they are wrong without proof, but to produce better and different results,\u201d they added.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3833770\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy size-large wp-image-3833770\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/assets\/themes\/eet\/images\/white.png\" alt=\"Epoch Times Photo\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Louisville-Schools-Open-For-In-Person-kid-mask-children-1200x798-1.jpg\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-3833770\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Louisville-Schools-Open-For-In-Person-kid-mask-children-1200x798-1.jpg\" alt=\"Epoch Times Photo\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" \/><\/noscript>Masked students wait in a socially distanced single file line before heading to the cafeteria at an elementary school in Louisville, Ky., on March 17, 2021. (Jon Cherry\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It comes as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on Monday issued <a href=\"https:\/\/services.aap.org\/en\/news-room\/news-releases\/aap\/2021\/american-academy-of-pediatrics-updates-recommendations-for-opening-schools-in-fall-2021\/\">updated guidelines<\/a> for school reopening, urging all staff and children over the age of 2 to wear masks in schools, regardless of vaccination status, a posture <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/american-academy-of-pediatrics-recommends-masks-in-school-for-everyone-vaccinated-or-not_3909620.html\">that is stricter<\/a> than the mask-wearing guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).<\/p>\n<p>The AAP called its new guidance a \u201clayered approach,\u201d which includes recommendations for building ventilation, quarantining, as well as enhanced cleaning and disinfection.<\/p>\n<p>The association said\u00a0universal masking is necessary because much of the student population is not eligible for vaccines, and \u201cmasking is proven to reduce transmission of the virus and to protect those who are not vaccinated.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There are dozens of circumstantial studies suggesting that masks work to stem the spread of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/giving-the-right-name-to-the-virus-causing-a-worldwide-pandemic-2_3277200.html\">CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus<\/a>, which causes the disease COVID-19, although there has been just <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/masks-have-no-significant-effect-against-ccp-virus-study_3588025.html\">one randomized-control trial<\/a> during the pandemic,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.acpjournals.org\/doi\/10.7326\/m20-6817\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">carried out in Denmark<\/a>. The researchers found that wearing a \u201csurgical mask when outside the home among others did not reduce, at conventional levels of statistical significance, incident SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with no mask recommendation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Senators in New Jersey recently held a hearing to explore the efficacy and negative effects of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/mask-mandate-for-children-is-not-backed-by-science-new-jersey-senators_3903570.html\">mask mandates in schools<\/a> for children. They found the scientific evidence does not support such mandates.<\/p>\n<p>Mask wearing amid the COVID-19 pandemic has become a hot button issue, with some questioning the efficacy of facial coverings and others opposing mandates on grounds of personal liberty. Advocates, on the other hand, have broadly taken a better-safe-than-sorry approach in the face of underpowered efficacy studies, while generally viewing mandates as a minor inconvenience that helps protect people who are prone to serious complications if they get infected.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The lead author of a now-retracted research note that claimed children\u2019s masks trapped dangerously high concentrations of carbon dioxide has said that JAMA Pediatrics\u2019 decision to pull the paper was &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":2315279,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-598720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/598720","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=598720"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/598720\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2315279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=598720"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=598720"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=598720"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}