Individuals using a face mask “might actually promote resistance” versus COVID-19 in the population, Professor Luke O’Neill has stated.
The leading immunologist says evidence is beginning to support a hypothesis that being put forward by researchers about a potential extra advantage to deal with coverings.
Last week, a post released in the distinguished New England Journal of Medication advanced the concept that universal facial masking “might help reduce the severity of disease and ensure that a greater percentage of new infections are asymptomatic”.
On today’s Pat Kenny Program, Professor O’Neill – professor of biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin – explained the “really interesting” idea.
Luke O’Neill: ‘Another factor to wear a mask: it might actually promote immunity’
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He said: ” We know masks work – the scientific evidence is so engaging now. Anyone who denies masks … reveal me the clinical proof versus it, because the proof on the other side is so strong.
” Now they’re stating there’s something else about masks: it might well actually promote resistance.
” You might wonder how the hell can a mask make someone immune. Masks aren’t ideal … so tiny bits of infection go out, and unfortunately infect somebody else.
” But think what: they have a really mild infection, practically with no symptoms … they do not even understand they have it … and now they may be protected.”
‘ There’s some evidence to support this’
Professor O’Neill said the idea is ‘a bit like’ how a vaccine works, where people are exposed to a weaker variation of the virus so their immune system discovers to eliminate versus it.
He stated: ” There’s some proof to support this. There was an Argentinian cruise liner, and they put masks on individuals due to the fact that there was an infection. Of those who did get infected, 80%were asymptomatic.
” On another cruise liner, [where passengers] didn’t use masks, only 20%were asymptomatic.
” It’s seen as another factor to wear masks – it may really promote resistance in the population.
” Any person who states ‘do not use a mask’ … inform them this evidence.”
He indicated a recent study involving hamsters, where a mask was put in the middle of a cage.
He discussed: “The ones on the far side didn’t truly get contaminated if there was a mask between them.
” Simply put, a little virus got through the mask … a small level of infection … and they got no signs.
” That’s animal, not humans obviously – but it’s still excellent proof. It’s practically as if a tiny bit of virus is rather good, since it may provoke no symptoms and a little resistance.
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