Face Masks Are Definitely Not Suitable For Those With Epilepsy
Reason #151 that Face Masks Hurt Kids
Dear Reader,
The wearing of a face mask to protect against a respiratory virus is an act of grand deceit. It is a behavior that defies research on the topic. Wearing a face mask, as this article (one of many) points to — is unsafe to do and is ineffective.
Until the narrative around mandatory masking has changed, each day by 6am Eastern, I will both post here and send out a science-based reason why no one should wear a face mask.
I ask that you help me circulate these pieces to those around you who you believe could most benefit from them. It is important not to remain silent on this topic. These are important discussions to be having with friends, family members, business owners, healthcare practitioners, public servants, and others in the community.
-Allan
Face masks increase the respiratory rate of the wearer above the natural respiratory rate of the same wearer engaging in the same activity unmasked. Respiratory rate is how many breathes a person takes per minute. This detail is especially significant for those with epilepsy.
Kai Kisielinski, in an April 20, 2021 article entitled “Is a Mask That Covers the Mouth and Nose Free from Undesirable Side Effects in Everyday Use and Free of Potential Hazards?” writes:1
“In their level III evidence review, neurologists from Israel, the UK and the USA state that a mask is unsuitable for epileptics because it can trigger hyperventilation.2
“The use of a mask significantly increases the respiratory rate by about plus 15 to 20%. However, an increase in breathing frequency leading to hyperventilation is known to be used for provocation in the diagnosis of epilepsy and causes seizure equivalent EEG changes in 80% of patients with generalized epilepsy and in up to 28% of focal epileptics.”3
Wearing a face mask can trigger hyperventilation, which can trigger a seizure. The CDC tracks these numbers:
“In 2015, 1.2% of the US population had active epilepsy. This is about 3.4 million people with epilepsy nationwide: 3 million adults and 470,000 children.”4
That is a measure of active epilepsy.5 More than that actually have epilepsy.
This is a public health concern you think would be screamed from the rooftops: this group of 1 out of 100 Americans cannot safely wear a face mask because it may trigger a seizure. They must never be forced into one. They must be very careful when wearing one. It may even be best if no epileptic ever wears a face mask for any reason. These would be reasonable statements from the CDC that could have been made alongside every face mask order announcement.
Were they?
No.
This is a further indication that the face mask is not about health at all.
In a hospital, in fact, epileptics who say “I am unable to wear a face mask safely, because I have epilepsy,” are more likely to hear “That is okay; you must wear it anyway; we will just treat your seizure with medicine if you have one,” than to hear “You do not have to wear one then, because this is a hospital and we care for the individual wellbeing of our patients.” All wellbeing is, of course, individual. There is no collective wellbeing. It is redundant to say “individual wellbeing.”
In our era however, great effort is put into confusing that idea. Therefore, in our era, that individual nature of one’s wellbeing, may be necessary to emphasis.
If one can believe that there is collective wellbeing, then many people can be made to suffer individually for a non-existent collective wellbeing.
Good people suffer for lack of wisdom. Impoverished philosophy opens the door to massive tyranny. You are an individual. Your wellbeing is individual. If someone can get you to embrace an impoverished philosophy, in which you grow confused about your importance as an individual, then many horrible things can be done to you.
The harm a face masks can do to a person with epilepsy by triggering seizures is another of many reasons that a face mask should not be worn.
Kisielinski K, Giboni P, Prescher A, et al. Is a Mask That Covers the Mouth and Nose Free from Undesirable Side Effects in Everyday Use and Free of Potential Hazards? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021;18(8):4344. doi:10.3390/ijerph18084344.
Asadi-Pooya, A.A.; Cross, J.H. Is Wearing a Face Mask Safe for People with Epilepsy? Acta Neurol. Scand. 2020, 142, 314–316.
Guaranha, M.S.B.; Garzon, E.; Buchpiguel, C.A.; Tazima, S.; Yacubian, E.M.T.; Sakamoto, A.C. Hyperventilation Revisited: Physiological Effects and Efficacy on Focal Seizure Activation in the Era o
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epilepsy Prevalence in the United States. 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/data/index.html
The CDC defines active epilepsy as:
“An adult aged 18 or older has active epilepsy if they report they have a history of doctor-diagnosed epilepsy or seizure disorder and
* Are currently taking medication to control it or
* Had one or more seizures in the past year (or both) (from the National Health Interview Survey, 2015).
A child aged 17 years or younger has active epilepsy if their parent or guardian reports:
* That a doctor or health care provider has ever told them that their child had epilepsy or seizure disorder, and
* Their child currently has epilepsy or seizure disorder (from the National Survey of Children’s Health, 2011-2012).”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epilepsy Prevalence in the United States. 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/data/index.html
The bestselling book "Face Masks In One Lesson" by Allan Stevo describes how to never wear a face mask again. The follow-up to the book, "Face Masks Hurt Kids," describes why to never wear a face mask again. We must defeat the awful, narrative around the mandates.
Examples of how face masks hurt kids will be posted to the Lockdown Land Substack each morning by 6am Eastern until the narrative around this ineffective and harmful medical intervention has shifted. Face masks are, in fact, not just harmful to children. Face masks are harmful to everyone. Thank you so much for helping me circulate this research.