30July 2020
A chiropractic doctor in Victoria, B.C., is under investigation after writing a letter to his regional paper that wrongly suggests wearing a mask can cause “dangerous” accumulations of co2.
On Saturday, the Victoria Times Colonist published a letter to the editor from chiropractic physician Richard Lambert, written in response to an earlier pro-mask letter. Some of Lambert's letter falls in line with the guidance of B.C. health authorities, who have actually stated that masks are not a silver bullet for stopping the spread of COVID-19 and recommend using face coverings in situations where two-metre distances can't be maintained. But Lambert's letter likewise includes a widely unmasked claim about the prospective
threats of wearing a mask.”Excess mask-wearing time can cause dangerous CO2 accumulation causing headaches, lightheadedness and reduced mental functioning, along with rebreathing of breathed out particulates and bacteria, “Lambert writes. The letter has not been released on the Times-Colonist's site, but isoffered on the digital paper site PressReader.com.
The College of Chiropractors of B.C. was alerted to the existence of the letter after the very same newspaper released a defense from Dr. Wayne Ghesquiere, a contagious illness professional at the University of B.C.
Ghesquiere called Lambert's claims “misleading and outright wrong.”
In an e-mail Thursday, registrar Michelle da Roza stated the college's questions committee is now investigating the letter.
“Because the matter is now under investigation, I can not comment particularly aside from to state that the claims in the letter are of issue to the college. We take these matters extremely seriously,” da Roza stated.
No comment from chiropractic doctor
Reached by phone on Thursday, Lambert stated he was uninformed of the investigation or the college's issues.
“That is the college's position and I have no remark at the minute as I have actually heard absolutely nothing from them,” he stated.
The claim that masks trigger accumulation of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases has been rejected by various health professionals in recent weeks. Scientists state carbon dioxide particles are tiny and do not collect in substantial quantities inside a cloth face covering.
Dr. Susy Hota, medical director of infection prevention and control at Toronto's University Health Network, told CBC previously this month that she has actually not seen any scientific proof to support claims of carbon dioxide accumulation.
As Dr. Jennifer Kwan, a family doctor in Burlington, Ont., pointed out, physician wear masks all the time and “it has actually not triggered doctors or nurses or surgeons any harm.”
For her part, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said masks are safe for most people to wear, and they don't deprive the wearer of oxygen or worsen asthma or other lung conditions.
She has actually withstood calls to execute any necessary mask rules, but urges those who can use a face covering to do so in confined spaces where physical distancing isn't possible, calling it a matter of courtesy.
Due to the fact that the unique coronavirus can be spread by individuals who have no symptoms, masks can assist prevent droplets from a contaminated individual from reaching those around them.
Chiropractic practitioners are not trained in treating or avoiding infectious illness.
The B.C. college has previously alerted a handful of chiropractic practitioners versus marketing supplements or spinal adjustments they declared could develop immunity against COVID-19.
Source: cbc.ca