New York Times gets ‘second opinion’ on monkeypox mask guidance

When the experts stop causing alarm, the media find other experts. 

The New York Times Friday slammed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recent decision to retract its mask guidance for monkeypox, trotting out an “airborne virus” expert to push for more masking.

At first, the New York Times celebrated the CDC for recommending travelers wear masks for fear of monkeypox. “Monkeypox Can Be Airborne, Too,” wrote Times reporter Apoorva Mandavilli excitedly.  

But as reported by America’s Frontline News last week, the CDC deleted its recommendation that travelers wear masks to protect themselves against monkeypox, a disease primarily transmitted through direct prolonged contact. The illness is most prevalent among men who have sex with men.  

The retraction came amid strong backlash – particularly from medical experts – against the efficacy of wearing a mask to protect against an illness primarily spread through physical contact. 

Mandavilli then penned another article Friday, titled “C.D.C. Dismisses Airborne Transmission of Monkeypox. Some Experts Disagree,” quoting Virginia Tech Professor Linsey Marr. 

“’Airborne transmission may not be the dominant route of transmission nor very efficient, but it could still occur,’ said Linsey Marr, an expert on airborne viruses at Virginia Tech,” wrote the New York Times. 

“The World Health Organization and several experts have said that while ‘short-range’ airborne transmission of monkeypox appears to be uncommon, it is possible and warrants precautions,” added Mandivilli. “Britain also includes monkeypox on its list of ‘high-consequence infectious diseases’ that can spread through the air.” 

The paper noted that the United States has so far seen no monkeypox deaths. 

Mandavilli is the New York Times’ chief fear correspondent who last month was forced to issue a correction after reporting that 4,000 children had died from a COVID-19-related illness. 

“But record numbers of children were hospitalized during the Omicron surge this winter. Nearly 4,000 children aged 5 to 11 have died from a Covid-related condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome during the pandemic,” falsely claimed Mandavilli. “And some studies find that even children who have a mild illness may experience symptoms for months.” 

Later that day, the Times issued a correction clarifying that 4,000 children were only diagnosed with the condition. "An earlier version of this article incorrectly referred to the numbers of children aged 5 to 11 with multisystem inflammatory syndrome. About 4,000 have been diagnosed, not died, with the syndrome," said the news outlet.