[FRIAM] Jeremy Howard

[Frank Chambers]

Re: Jeremy HowardHoward is first author of a paper “An evidence review of face masks against COVID-19,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, January 26, 2021 118 (4) e2014564118; https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2014564118
It is a paper with a medical article-long list of co-authors. Masks are filters and none of the co-authors are filter experts. The closest they get is an aerosol researcher. I have read the paper. I have performed research on automotive air filters, served on the SAE Air Cleaner Test Code Committee, and been an expert witness on filter testing. I have been reading articles and attending seminars on COVID transmission via aerosols and on masks. I have been disappointed by the number of reports on masks presented by those who know little of filtration or fluid mechanics and who have performed tests which do not follow recognized standards. The Duke study reported in the Washington Post August 11 in a story titled “Wearing a neck gaiter may be worse than no mask at all, researchers find,” is one of those. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/mask-test-duke-covid/2020/08/10/4f2bb888-db18-11ea-b205-ff838e15a9a6_story.html

Howard, an AI expert, has no expertise in the area and his co-authors do not appear to be capable of performing meaningful assessments of the literature on mask testing. Howard presented (and promoted) his paper on Twitter in a string of Tweets on January 11.https://twitter.com/jeremyphoward/status/1348771993949151232?s=20

In one of the Tweets, Howard said, “Personally, the studies I found most compelling are those that simply physically showed that masks literally block the ejection of respiratory particles.” He cites some visualizations referenced in the paper. His statement that he found visualizations (largely qualitative and of low accuracy when quantified) most compelling is disturbing and reveals his ignorance of the subject. I am not impressed with his technical prudence.
Frank Chambers


Frank W. Chambers2 Sabroso Pl.Santa Fe, NM 87508Home:  (505) 466-1942Cell:  (405) 614-4353
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