Face masks increase the risks of respiratory diseases.
False. Mask-wearing helps to prevent the spread of airborne diseases. There is no evidence masks increase respiratory illnesses.
As the COVID-19 Omicron variant spreads around Australia and the world, an Adelaide academic claims face masks are ineffective and lead to increased risk of other, serious respiratory disease.
But the theory flies in the face of global research and official advice that wearing masks helps prevent the spread of airborne diseases. While one expert told AAP FactCheck influenza and other diseases may increase briefly as pandemic-related restrictions lift, seasonal fluctuations in these illnesses were common.
The claim comes from a video shared online, including on Facebook, featuring academic Graham Lyons, a research associate at the University of Adelaide’s School of Agriculture, Food and Wine whose primary research focus has been on agriculture and food systems. Dr Lyons has been a vocal critic of various measures introduced to combat COVID-19 and has called the pandemic “fraudulent” and the work of a “global cabal”.
In the video, Dr Lyons says: “Face nappy (mask) wearing … they’re making people unhealthy. They’re greatly increasing your risk of other, true respiratory diseases which do kill a lot of people per annum.” (video mark 2min 55 sec)
However, respiratory disease experts say his claims on masks have no credibility. Dr Lyons did not respond when AAP FactCheck contacted him for...
Mr. Neugebauer's Pattern of Falsehoods Reinforce that He Cannot be Trusted to Oversee Fermi; His Gaining Control of the Company Would Jeopardize Shareholder Value Fermi Urges Shareholders to Return...