Deputy Health Officer Josh Ennis Says Not All Facial Coverings Are Created Equally and More

For this type of report, the Emergency Operations Center takes the questions from the media, and staff reads them on camera to officials for their response. The resulting video, called a Media Availability, is then provided to news outlets at the end of the day.

Here are some of the main points covered in the October 26th Media Availability session with a summary of answers from Humboldt County Deputy Public Health Officer Dr. Josh Ennis, followed by questions we would have liked to ask in response if appropriate.

Question by North Coast News:  Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb talks about the efficacy of cloth face coverings — saying that a cloth face covering can be 10-30% effective — and a mask like an N95 can be upwards of 95% effective. He also talks about thickness and material of cloth masks — such as having polyester and cotton in the mask. What are the local implications of mask efficacy in Humboldt County? Should residents be investing in higher quality masks, or are the cloth sufficient?

Answer by Dr. Ennis: 

This question is getting towards some recent studies that have come out showing that different materials can influence how well a mask performs. And when we look at cloth face coverings compared to procedure masks or surgical masks, compared to N95s, there’s a spectrum.  

For cloth masks we know that generally the tighter the weave is on the material, and the more layers you have, and seemingly the more you mix types of material, if you have multi-layered masks, the better they perform. They usually fall short of surgical masks and N95s. 

Now, for Humboldt County, does that mean everyone should go out and buy surgical masks, N95s? That the answer is no.  

I think the most important point when we talk about facial coverage or masks is that people put on a mask in the appropriate situation, that’s when they’re going indoors, when they can’t maintain social distancing, it really does make sense to wear a mask. Nothing’s ever gonna perform 100 percent, and case in point, N95 is rated to be 95 percent at a certain size particle, right. So it does really help slow transmission, it’s not 100 percent, but it slows it down and so the point is everyone should  be wearing a mask in appropriate scenarios.  

2 mins in: 

Question by Redwood News:  Can you talk more about the costs of Covid-19 hospitalizations for patients. What is the cost of treatment? Is it covered by insurance at all? If someone doesn’t have insurance, are they turned away? Who picks up that cost? Etc. 

Answer by Dr. Ennis: 

Public Health is not in the business of running a hospital and balancing the books for hospitals, so I’d really be stepping outside my- our area of expertise- in commenting on costs of COVID-19 hospitalizations. I think what I tell the public is that if they’re hospitalized with COVID-19 in our county, our hospitals are delivering good care and they are delivering the treatment that’s appropriate. So, that includes Dexamethasone, includes Remdesivir, in appropriate cases.  

No one is ever turned away if they have an emergency medical condition. They are protected by EMTALA, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, and if you have something that requires stabilization and requires treatment, you’re going to get that treatment.

3 mins 5 sec in:   

Question by Redwood News:  A press release from HSU mentions the possibility of a potential return of SJSU Football to HSU should conditions worsen in Santa Clara County. How would you handle the situation?  Do you think a potential return would be viable?   

Follow-up:  If the SJSU Football team was to return to HSU, what guidance would you give both institutions?  Would Public Health be more involved in the discussion?

Answer by Dr. Ennis:

So, there’s a lot to this question that brings in factors that we can’t possibly know right now, and brings in situations that we can’t possibly always predict.  If there were any kind of discussion about return, we look forward to meaningful conversation with HSU and hope that we can partner with them in making it as safe as possible. 

For the most recent state and national COVID-19 information, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov

Local information is available at the Humboldt County COVID-19 Data Dashboard: humboldtgov.org/dashboard, on Facebook @HumCoCOVID19, Instagram @HumCoCOVID19, Twitter @HumCoCOVID19, and Humboldt Health Alert humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert

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researcher
Guest
researcher
3 years ago

The mask answer wasn’t spot on. Depending on weave, and I think good old fashion t-shirts were listed, multi layered cotton masks were almost as effective as the N-95. And there was no mention of masks that are worthless like the gator. Shoulda gone into more detail on such an important topic.

jillion
Guest
jillion
3 years ago
Reply to  researcher

Regarding the ineffectiveness of neck gaiters: there was just a newer study showing if you wear them doubled up they are not as worthless in terms of protection for the wearer.

Hopefully people will double them up if they persist in using them.

(Note: neck gaiters are potentially dangerous to other people since they actually break the respitory droplets into smaller droplets, creating more of a dispersal cloud that can then stay airborne longer)

Steven
Guest
Steven
3 years ago

More worthless information like usual. Who cares anymore. We all know its a scam. How come nobody gets the flu anymore. This whole thing is criminal.

no sexy lace masks?
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Steven

maybe there is less flu because what works for Covid works for flu.

R
Guest
R
3 years ago
Reply to  Steven

Steven,
thanks.

Canyon oak
Guest
Canyon oak
3 years ago

Stay at home, watch TV.
Shelter in place, eat junk food.

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago

We wear gators because we think you and DHHS are full of _ _ i t.

It’s a perfect way to Telegraph our distain to mask nazis.

Nevertrustacop
Guest
Nevertrustacop
3 years ago
Reply to  Guest

People love science or scientism? https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150422121724.htm

Political dogma reaching every part of our lives with “you are either with us, or you are against us”. Enemies around every corner in the deluded exhausted minds of the public. Such sad 💩

Prof. Quiz
Guest
Prof. Quiz
3 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Precisely why I wear a doily mask!

Marmalade Spreader
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Guest

not the deadliest virus in history. not by a long shot. Actually rabies is one of them, (Ebola, and other Marburg type viruses are pretty bad) if you get it to your brain. The lucky thing is you have a week or so to stop it as it makes it’s way up your nerves to the brain. There is only one or two confirmed cases of somebody surviving an actual rabies infection ever in the world.. One of them is a young lady from Willow Creek.
Covid is so deadly to mankind, because it is just mild enough to encourage denialism. Throw in ignorant macho posturing from our commander and chief, and whammo: Rome burns.

Free estimates
Guest
Free estimates
3 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Gee, it would have been great if someone would have told us this earlier… Oh yeah, they did.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/04/commentary-masks-all-covid-19-not-based-sound-data

thetallone
Guest
thetallone
3 years ago
Reply to  Guest

The difference between the Covid mask and all the others in the illustration above: All the other ones are designed protect the wearer from inhalation of dangerous materials. The idea behind the Covid mask is to limit exhalation of virus-laden droplets. Hence, your graphic is meaningless.

Got logic?
Guest
Got logic?
3 years ago
Reply to  thetallone

Brainwashed much?

Operating under the assumption everyone is walking around with an asymptomatic case of covid and needs to mask up to ” limit exhalation of (those) virus-laden droplets”

1.is not logical.

2.if true, drives the actual death rate **down** multifold.

But logic has left the chat.

thetallone
Guest
thetallone
3 years ago
Reply to  Got logic?

What are you talking about?
1. It is logical and scientifically sound.
2. Driving down the death rate, and rate of transmission is the whole point, isn’t it?

Free estimates
Guest
Free estimates
3 years ago
Reply to  thetallone

1. You didn’t read the article I posted. Your answer lies within it.

2. Yes, that is the point. Again refer to #1 and read the article. It will help you understand what will actually slow the rate of transmission and possibly the death rate. Please.

thetallone
Guest
thetallone
3 years ago
Reply to  Free estimates

Okay, I did my homework assignment. Not convinced by this treatise from April. Models have been done showing that masks keep the cloud of respiration near the source (person), rather than sending it out 6-9 feet out front.
https://www.kulr8.com/top_video/masks-put-to-the-test-do-they-help/video_90b8ffc0-baea-11ea-b6c8-6f758bb55221.html

https://www.cnn.com/videos/health/2020/05/04/cough-coronavirus-masks-kaye-pkg-vpx.cnn

Free estimates
Guest
Free estimates
3 years ago
Reply to  thetallone

Dude. Read the article I posted above. The WHOLE article. See how your statement is addressed. Incorporate that information into yourself. Please.

2s4u
Guest
2s4u
3 years ago

How the western culture was destroyed by non educated sheeple following the orders of grossly self interested people. Individuals willing to do absolutely anything to get one up on the other turtles in the tank.

Dave Kirby
Guest
Dave Kirby
3 years ago
Reply to  2s4u

Actually the problem is more about “sheeple” following the lead of a compulsive liar whose paranoia wrecked any chance of an effective response to this pandemic. The belief that this is all a scam is ridiculous. Conspiracy theories have always been the bugaboo of the weak minded and that I think has been proven by the gibberish that has been posted in response to heath officials trying to help and who are attacked by people who drink the koolaid of dimwit web sites.

2s4u
Guest
2s4u
3 years ago
Reply to  Dave Kirby

No actual scientific proof of the Virus or it ever being isolated via the proper scientific method, Kochs Prostulates. Please educate yourself. The so called, “health officials” you’re referring to are all on the take and promote the narrative of who signs their pay check only. Follow the money.

local observer
Guest
local observer
3 years ago
Reply to  2s4u

Its amazing how time changes everything. As far as the Koch’s go, David has died, William is dying, and Charles isn’t that bad of a guy on the surface. The change i am not super excited about is how the 170 million young adults are going to react to what these old men have just done in the past 3 years that is going to adversely affect their lives. most don’t understand how large this demographic is and how different they are. They will however change what has just happened.

R
Guest
R
3 years ago
Reply to  2s4u

2s,
thanks. Heard that.

Tim
Guest
Tim
3 years ago
Reply to  2s4u

McConnell adjourned the Senate until 11/9 with no COVID relief.

The Republican Party has completely abandoned the American people in the middle of the deadliest pandemic in a hundred years. Anyone who votes for this party is condoning the deaths of fellow Americans; there is no arguing otherwise.

Just Watching
Guest
Just Watching
3 years ago
Reply to  2s4u

CDC paper from June 2020. Dr. Cowan: “The purpose of the article was for a group of about 20 virologists to describe the state of the science of the isolation, purification and biological characteristics of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus, and to share this information with other scientists for their own research. A thorough and careful reading of this important paper reveals some shocking findings.”
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/6/20-0516_article

Eyeball Kid
Guest
Eyeball Kid
3 years ago

A former FDA Commissioner states that “a mask like an N95 can be upwards of 95% effective”. And the Humboldt County Deputy Public Health Officer Dr. Josh Ennis elaborates. The “N95 is rated to be 95 percent at a certain size particle”. GTFOH! That explains everything. Let’s pay these people more money and give them more power over our lives.

ILoveplants
Guest
ILoveplants
3 years ago
Reply to  Eyeball Kid

They forgot to mention all those n95 masks that end up on the side of the road, in parking lots, and eventually end up in the ocean, right next to all that plastic… all for political gain

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  ILoveplants

Yep people fail to see that the earth is a living, breathing organism and that she owns our asses. A virus emerges, which is what happens when a certain species becomes overly populated and lives in excessively crowded conditions, a disease always emerges that culls the heard.

So many people echo how we are destroying the world with pollution. Maybe the earth is tired of it. Our solution is to hide from the planet and increase pollution, lock people up so they have nothing to do but sit in our own filth and bone. Anybody look at the world population? Even though there is a “nasty” disease out there, it is growing faster than it has ever grown before.

Our reaction to a planet that is trying to cull a species that is overpopulated and incredibly polluting is to increase our population even more and add more garbage to the planet. Masks litter the streets like cigarettes.

What have we learned? What has our planet learned? We have learned nothing, just doubled, even tripled down on our shittiness. The earth has learned that the next disease it serves up needs to be a whole lot nastier. Excellent job people!

Covid
Guest
Covid
3 years ago

All facial covering lives matter

DivideByZero
Guest
DivideByZero
3 years ago

Yeah, I’m listening to the guy that said “this flu is more deadly than the Spanish flu”. You know the Spanish flu that lowered life expectancy by 12 years in America. Don’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth.

researcher
Guest
researcher
3 years ago
Reply to  DivideByZero

What flu are you talking about. The virus we are dealing with is a corona virus. Its much worse than the flu but so far not nearly as bad as the second wave of the SF.

Just the facts mam

Please Check One
Guest
Please Check One
3 years ago
Reply to  researcher

Researcher, please do your research – I believe DBZ did in fact use the word “Spanish”, meaning the epidemic of 1918. A/H1N1 strain of influenza. Affected 500 million (one third of the world’s population at the time), killed one tenth of those. Here, I’ll do the math for you – 50 million people.
I too would reject the words of anyone who suggested that covid-19 is the more deadly of the two. Statements like that would be utterly laughable if they weren’t so infuriating. Coming from someone in a position of authority, they fill me with disgust. And, okay, fear and worry. There are too many who believe them. These people trade on the idea that as a population we don’t know our history. Sadly, there seems to be some truth to this.

Wendy
Guest
Wendy
3 years ago
Reply to  DivideByZero

Its made out to be more deadly. The survival rate is still way up there.

Stan
Guest
Stan
3 years ago

I am sorry but you have got to be a total crack pot and love to be abused to go along with any of this shit. It won’t be long people will lose it and start killing each other because they are so sick of all of this and have no money or jobs and are forced into communism by stupid ppl who are afraid a germ no more dangerous then the common flu. We all know by now they pay the doctors, we all know by now its a scam to remove money and incorporate digital currency and WO202060606. [edit] We need to make a stand and quickly people!!!!

ILoveplants
Guest
ILoveplants
3 years ago
Reply to  Stan

Yes November 4 should be peaceful protest everyone take off that silly white flag of surrender that covers your face. Only the vulnerable should be wearing them at this point. Freedom of choice people. Facial expressions are a big part of being human!!!

jillion
Guest
jillion
3 years ago
Reply to  ILoveplants

The statement “Only the vulnerable should be wearing them at this point” is so very wrong. Masks primarily protect OTHER PEOPLE (in case you are infectious but don’t realize it); wearing one simply shows your respect for the other vulnerable folks.

thetallone
Guest
thetallone
3 years ago
Reply to  Stan

Incorrect, Stan. Covid: 226,000 deaths in 8 months (and surging NOW). “Common flu” takes out about 50,000 people per year. BTW estimates are another 200,000 souls lost before inauguration day in January.
Digital currency is probably coming anyway (what do you think your credit card is?), but has nothing to do with Covid-19. I don’t even know what WO….is, I would probably have to ask Alex Jones.

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  thetallone

Actually very correct tallone. Can you say apples to oranges? Covid-19 is an uncommon coronavirus. Common colds are also coronaviruses. So in order to compare the “common” flu to a “common” coronavirus, you need to compare the annual flu bug we see to the slew of annual common colds we see, which are coronaviruses. The common flu is way worse than the common cold.

Now, if you would like to compare an uncommon coronavirus such as Covid-19 to flu then it needs to be compared to an uncommon flu, like the 1918 flu, 1958 flu, or the 1968 flu. The uncommon flu has been historically proven to be far worse than the uncommon coronavirus.

You also realize that although this coronavirus kinda popped up, that the leading epidemiologists in the world, that so many hold in such high regard, have always said that the next devastating disease that will rip through humanity and kill a large portion of the world will be a H5N1 flu virus, also known as bird flu, of which there has been transmission from the animal reservoir to humans throughout the last ten years, with which it had a 70% mortality rate. It just hasn’t figured out how to be transmitted from human to human yet.

thetallone
Guest
thetallone
3 years ago

Yes! Covid-19 is highly contagious but not very deadly. When we get a pathogen that is both, watch out. Consider the present pandemic as a trial run, which we are, by and large, failing.

In my 1911 I trust
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  thetallone

So why even make it a trial run? The more deadly a disease is the less “orders” and “mandates” need to be put out because people will actually be scared and want to protect themselves. The problem is this disease is highly contagious and not very deadly, so whats the point with all this crap? Very few people are scared of this disease anymore and even less consider it deadly enough to justify the utter destruction of society as we know it. But hey, lets tire everyone out about pandemics by crying wolf so we are really really really screwed when something nasty comes around! Its not that I don’t agree with you, its that I can’t, because I don’t understand your logic.

DivideByZero
Guest
DivideByZero
3 years ago

Kym did you, or someone else, delete my post, and why???

Kym Kemp
Admin
3 years ago
Reply to  DivideByZero

No one deleted your post but you are under moderation and I have to approve a comment before it appears on the site.

DivideByZero
Guest
DivideByZero
3 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Why am I under “moderation”, and what comment put me there?

DivideByZero
Guest
DivideByZero
3 years ago
Reply to  DivideByZero

Oh, and by the way, the second Amendment wasn’t put in place to protect polite speech. As a journalist you’re all about the 2nd Amendment—————–right?

Kym Kemp
Admin
3 years ago
Reply to  DivideByZero

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

It does not, for instance, say that you can vandalize any business by writing the word “shit” all over the wall. The government can not tell you that you can’t say something BUT businesses and private parties make rules about what works in their business.

Here are my rules. https://kymkemp.com/2018/05/20/commenting-rules-on-redheaded-blackbelt/

Don’t break them or you will get put on moderation and if you continuously break them, you can get banned.

DivideByZero
Guest
DivideByZero
3 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Sorry 1st Amendment.

Kym Kemp
Admin
3 years ago
Reply to  DivideByZero

I’ve gone back three months and you haven’t broken the rules (except one minor calling someone out on their grammar) in that time. I’ll take you off moderation. Try making a comment and see if it worked. There are some commenters that are on apparent moderation but I have done everything I can at my end to remove them. Unfortunately, I have a site that needs upgrades.

Doggo the commie ☺
Guest
Doggo the commie ☺
3 years ago
Reply to  DivideByZero

HAHAHAHA
It’s Kym’s world here DBZ.

ashamed
Guest
ashamed
3 years ago

So the cost of treatment in this country could easily mean your finical death?

Steve adams
Guest
Steve adams
3 years ago

Since 2007 public health schools put out notice for pandemic flu to deal with it with PPE, social distancing and drugs with intubated mechanical ventilators. Sound familiar? We need better treatments
We don’t need better masks, contact tracing and triage for the fall COVID-19 respiratory distress and cytokine storm.

If I was symptomatic I would be looking for a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber with a close to 90% survival rate than mechanical ventilation with less than 30% survival rates.

Winthrop Hospital clinical trials done. FDA denies compassionate use of HBOT. Look it up.

This is messed up for sure.

No Mames!
Guest
No Mames!
3 years ago

9 MONTHS AGO THIS CRAP STARTED AND THEY COULD HAVE TOLD US THIS RIGHT THEN WHAT IS THIS GAME THE GOVERNMENT IS PLAYING?!?!?!

Juanita
Guest
Juanita
3 years ago

Covid costs for treatment and hospitalization are all covered by the federal gov’t.
Unlike every other illness.
MEDICARE4ALL is what we need

Ignorance
Guest
Ignorance
3 years ago

I really love all the people I see regularly at the Eureka Costco (including some employees) who are wearing no mask whatsoever only a plastic face shield. 🙄🤒🤧 🦠 😵

They are clearly making their point that they are not afraid of Covid… and could give a shit less if they infect you.

It’s not about YOU, assholes. Try thinking of OTHERS for once. There are lots of OTHERS in our community who have compromised immune systems and/or frequently visit elders who are at high risk.