NH Journal, an Inside Sources publication, today quoted Moira O’Neill, director of the N.H. Office of the Child Advocate, saying: “Fussing about masks – a proven intervention to stop viral spread – is telling children that political nonsense is more important than children’s well-being, education, and mental health.”
Andrew J. Manuse, Chairman of RebuildNH, released the following public statement in response:
“I’d like to ask Ms. O’Neill to immediately retract her statement that mask use is a “proven intervention to stop viral spread,” a statement that is plainly false. I’d also ask that she issue a public apology for misleading the public and consider stepping down from her position in the “Office of the Child Advocate,” because she is clearly advocating against the best interests of children. The CDC has acknowledged that there are literally zero randomized, controlled trials supporting mask use to stop the spread of COVID-19, and Ms. O’Neill’s political rhetoric isn’t just wrong, it’s dangerous. On the other hand, there have been multiple randomized, controlled trials that have shown that masks are not effective in preventing the spread of viruses–even less so for airborne viruses such as COVID-19 (1, 2, 3, etc.). There have also been studies showing that children are not at risk when contracting COVID-19, and that children do not spread COVID-19 to others (1). At the same time, studies have shown that children’s well being, developmental growth, and mental health are severely impacted by wearing a mask while in public (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 etc.). These facts are not political, they are scientific truth. The only individuals playing politics with masking are those demanding their feel-good, anti-science recommendations be followed at any cost.”
