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| Teddy Says, Wear a Mask |
This post discusses how DeSantis distorted scientific evidence about mask-wearing. He twisted the science to support a pre-conceived political opinion.
Twisting the Science
Mask-wearing has become a flag issue for conservatives. Avoiding masks symbolizes their independence from what they consider obnoxious, pompous, and insulting advice from public health officials. DeSantis turned the table on scientists by citing scientific studies to support his policy. Although better scientific research (which we’ll look at in a minute) contradicts DeSantis’ interpretation, that, unfortunately, does not diminish the persuasive power of his line of argument.
So, let's look at one of DeSantis’ faulty arguments:
DeSantis did not, of course, cite his source. Who would ever expect a politician to cite sources? But I tracked it down. The study does, indeed, exist, but it was published on a website, not a scientific journal. The website warned: “This article is a preprint and has not been peer-reviewed.… It reports new medical research that has yet to be evaluated and so should not be used to guide clinical practice.” So, although the preliminary study may turn out to be right, let’s not use it to justify endangering children’s health.
But What About Other Studies? Do They Support Masks in Schools?
“WHEREAS, despite recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ‘guidance,’ forcing students to wear masks lacks a well-grounded scientific justification; indeed, a Brown University study analyzed COVID-19 data for schools in Florida and found no correlation with mask mandates.”Quotation marks around “guidance?” That was DeSantis’ snub against experts.
DeSantis did not, of course, cite his source. Who would ever expect a politician to cite sources? But I tracked it down. The study does, indeed, exist, but it was published on a website, not a scientific journal. The website warned: “This article is a preprint and has not been peer-reviewed.… It reports new medical research that has yet to be evaluated and so should not be used to guide clinical practice.” So, although the preliminary study may turn out to be right, let’s not use it to justify endangering children’s health.
But What About Other Studies? Do They Support Masks in Schools?
I did, however, find a 2021 study, published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. That article’s data showed that mask mandates, when combined with other public health methods, help control the virus’s spread. The authors explained that schools that “implemented multicomponent measures [which included mask mandates] to reduce spread reported lower in-school transmission unless lapses in these measures occurred.”
The study wasn’t performed in Florida, however, so I guess DeSantis could decide to ignore it. I suppose he could also ignore a Georgia study which discovered that: “Adjusting for county-level incidence, COVID-19 incidence was 37% lower in schools that required teachers and staff members to use masks, and 39% lower in schools that improved ventilation, compared with schools that did not use these prevention strategies.” That, of course, shows a dramatic improvement from mask-wearing.
One of the best general scientific articles about mask-wearing was published this year in an excellent peer-reviewed scientific journal, Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. The authors found that mask mandates do, indeed, help a lot. They explained that “Several studies have demonstrated that face masks decrease the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus. “They concluded that “Mask mandates that include minimal exceptions will lead to a reduction in community COVID-19 rates, decrease hospitalizations, and save lives.”
However, can ordinary face masks slow down the virus? A 2021 review of research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, a highly-rated scientific journal, concluded that widespread mask-wearing could reduce community spread. This should, the article explains, be combined with other public health measures. The researchers said that, “places and time periods where mask usage is required or widespread have shown substantially lower community transmission.”
The point? DeSantis picked and chose his science – actually, he mentioned only one study, and not necessarily the best one – while ignoring better evidence that contradicted his opinion. Scientific studies don’t always reach the same conclusion, which is why scientists like to repeat studies over and over in different situations. That way, they can be sure they have the truth. One study, by itself, is never conclusive.
Was DeSantis Learning about Masks? Or Trying to Prove a Pre-Determined Opinion?
DeSantis wasn’t looking for truth; he was just scoring political points. As communication scholar George Ziegelmueller pointed out in his 1993 argumentation and debate textbook, there is a difference between inquiry and advocacy. We are doing inquiry when we want to learn something. We engage in advocacy when we want to prove something we’ve already decided. In other words, are we willing to learn from science? Or will we just cherry-pick science to prove a cynical agenda?
DeSantis’ Executive Order engaged in advocacy, not inquiry. Politics obviously drove his decision. He then fished around for the best evidence he could find. That evidence wasn’t especially good, while better evidence contradicted his decision. So, unwilling to deal with truth, he did the best he could to promote a dangerous, unwise policy. He was following public opinion, while making little effort to lead.
That is outrageous.
If you want your children to live, ignore the governor of Florida and put facemasks on the precious little ones until this pandemic is over.
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P.S. I knew the late Professor Ziegelmueller quite well. He was a great guy, and I assure my readers that he had no patience with sloppy arguments like the ones that DeSantis offered in his Executive Order.
Photo: Elaine Clanton Harpine
