Mark Swanson wrote in a Dec. 19 Newsmax article:
Multiple blue states are reinstating mask mandates ahead of a surge of four viruses that some are calling a “quad-demic” — flu, COVID, RSV, and Norovirus.
According to the Daily Mail:
- RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey’s largest hospital system, announced Monday anyone walking through their doors needs a mask, possibly a hospital-supplied covering.
- Several counties in San Franciso [sic] began mask mandates last month that run through April 30, 2025.
- New York City officials last month recommended masks on public transportation.
Swanson is falsely suggesting the mask mandate in the San Francisco area is a universal one. In fact, it applies mostly to health care workers and, in some cases, to visitors and patients. Swanson offered no evidence that only “blue states” are doing these mandates, or why it’s a bad thing to do what can be done to slow the spread of viruses.
Swanson also hyped a debunked study in support of his fearmongering:
Regardless, research has shown the efficacy of masks to reduce the spread of COVID infections is largely a myth.
The Cochrane Institute published results of a study in January 2023 that found “uncertainty about the effects of face masks.” Cochrane analyzed 78 global studies involving more than 1 million people.
“The pooled results … did not show a clear reduction in respiratory viral infection with the use of medical/surgical masks. 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,” Cochrane’s study found.
As we documented, researchers found numerous issues with the study, including that it ignored how COVID spreads and how masks work and made apples-and-oranges comparisons between studies and overlooking low mask compliance rates — meaning that it’s inaccurate to claim that masks didn’t work when they’re actually being worn.
This was followed by a Jan. 2 article by Jim Thomas on the same subject:
As millions of Americans return to work after the holidays, a quadruple threat of viral infections — including flu, COVID-19, RSV, and norovirus — is sweeping the nation, fueling hospitalizations, mask mandates, and heightened public health concerns, the Daily Mail reported.
The United States is grappling with a surge in respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses as it enters its peak winter flu season. According to official data, flu, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus are driving significant spikes in infections and hospitalizations. Health experts warn the situation is likely to worsen in the coming weeks.
Recent statistics highlight the widespread impact.
Unlike Swanson, Thomas didn’t try to politicize or fearmonger the issue. He did note that “Mask mandates are returning in some areas to curb the spread,” but he couldn’t play the “blue state” card because red states were on his list of those engaging in preventative measures. Finally, he didn’t spread misinformation about the efficacy of masks.
It appears Newsmax can do responsible journalism when it wants to … or maybe Thomas just slipped this piece through without the added bias.