Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #masks4canada

Most recents (22)

1/Well this is embarrassing @JimWatsonOttawa @VeraEtches @OttawaHealth. Imagine implementing something as uncomfortable and intrusive as being forced to breathe through fabric & having your face cancelled without any backing science, data or assessment of risk. Image
2/You say this was a decision made by the province of ON. A quick reminder that the province wanted to stay out of mask mandates originally. cp24.com/mobile/news/on…
3/It was the municipalities that launched the mask mandates following lobbying efforts by #masks4Canada and #masks4municipalities. Ottawa was a charter member in the forced masking club. "Increasing scientific evidence supports"😂ottawa.ctvnews.ca/masks-mandator…
Read 13 tweets
We've created this guide on how to protect yourself from an airborne virus using HEPA filters in offices and schools. A simple solution that needs to be used especially in the fall/winter when opening windows and doors will be less practical:
docs.google.com/document/d/17t… Image
CO2 monitors are an important component to this, and can roughly tell you how much of the air is fresh in a given room. Higher than 700 is risky, and the higher the number, the more you get 'rebreathed' air from another person possibly containing infectious virus. ImageImageImage
The goal is to get to 6 ACH (air changes an hour), which is the minimum in most hospital settings. We describe how to calculate this, and what types of filters you should be buying. Image
Read 8 tweets
We are facing a reckoning in Canada, a highly contagious, deadly variant is firmly rooted in BC and spreading eastwards. We were shocked when UK variant Covid starting targeting young people, this will make it much worse. We need action now!
What's happened to the Vancouver Canucks is just the beginning. More young people will get very sick until we take decisive action to contain this threat.
We need to address these underlying issues with at-risk populations. These measures will protect all of us:
Read 8 tweets
Quebec is seeing school cases increase exponentially about 1 month after opening schools. They have limited capacity to test for variants, but this pattern is very similar to what we saw in the UK, Ireland and others with the B117 variant.
Sadly so much could have been done to make schools safer, but Quebec did absolutely nothing.
They needed to:
- improve ventilation
- install HEPA filters
- mask everyone from JK
- create small class sizes
- use rapid testing
And of course, the South African and Brazilian variants, along with the UK variant, are on there way to becoming fully established here. No surprise given the volume of flights still coming in and out.
Read 8 tweets
1/ The father of the universal mask mandate @jeremyphoward. Why did this AI scientist from San Fran go all in with his #masks4all movement for a couple of months last summer and then walk away?

@ianmSC @mamasaurusMeg @MarkChangizi @Kevin_McKernan @KristenMeghan @AlexBerenson
2/With no expertise in a related field, armed with a pile of untested theories and a website full of junk data/science, his movement was granted an MSM soapbox and managed to unleash cascading mask mandates all over the western world over a 2 month period masks4all.co
3/The messaging was: 80% of ppl wearing masks would reduce cases by 1/12 (basically eradicating C19!) Failure to do so could make you responsible for killing someone! Masks would prevent lockdowns. No need to concern yourselves about the old mask science

Read 10 tweets
I and #Masks4Canada are joining with many across the country in advocating for #CovidZero, the elimination of Covid-19 from our communities. I once thought this idea impossible, but watching Melbourne, Halifax and the rest of the Atlantic do it has been inspiring. Thread ->
This is likely the only way we’ll be able to save many lives, businesses and to return to some semblance of a normal life before vaccines are rolled out. Watching the US and Europe go through wrenching spikes and lockdowns is instructive. We can avoid their fate.
First, we need to aim for zero. Lockdowns are coming in parts of the country, which are futile until leaks in our system are plugged. Including:
- Locking down the US border (for real this time)
- Setting regional bubbles
- Bring in the Australian mandatory quarantine system
Read 11 tweets
Now is the time to improve ventilation in Canada's schools!

We at #Masks4Canada @covidschoolsCA have compiled a primer, best practices + success stories to help YOU drive advocacy. Feedback welcome!
.
Author: @spaiglass h/t @DavidElfstrom @caruzycki (mistakes mine)

THREAD: /1
A #COVID19 infected individual releases infectious particles by talking, coughing, sneezing, laughing, etc., “Aerosol transmission” acknowledges airborne spread of the virus. It has different PH implications than droplet transmission.

Img: Dr. Butler, nationalacademies.org/event/08-26-20…
/2
Important: The virus is NOT naked in the air. It is encased in droplets or smaller aerosols (10-1000X bigger than virus). Aerosol size impacts efficacy of masks + air purifiers, *and* how deeply particles penetrate the respiratory tract.

Adapted from: docs.google.com/document/d/1fB…
/3
Read 17 tweets
Wanted to build on this media piece with some background and concrete steps that we can take to start protecting the most vulnerable communities in our big cities. Thread:
Many of us in health care are very appreciative of all the things @fordnation has done to keep us safe. Unlike the US very few health care workers have gotten sick, and hopefully will stay that way. He listened to us at @conquercovid19 in March and got things done.
To his credit, Ford is also one of the only premiers who has kept pushing for rapid tests, the rapid PCR and rapid antigen tests, and his constant pressure at the federal level, I think was instrumental in them getting approved this week. cbc.ca/news/politics/…
Read 13 tweets
The live map shows COVID-19 cases (yellow) + outbreaks (orange). Clicking on a point shows supporting links, type of school, number & nature of cases, + outbreaks.
See the map here: masks4canada.org/canada-covid-1…
or here: google.com/maps/d/edit?mi…

📊Data tables available soon!
/2 Image
Submit a confirmed case / outbreak using the form on our website. Provide supporting info (letter from school board, PHU, media report). We never publish personal info, so please don't send us any.
Know a great school tracker in your Province? Tell us!
masks4canada.org/canadian-schoo…
/3 Image
We are currently:
* Creating rules to log various scenarios
* Training our team to find sources of COVID cases in all the Provinces, and to correctly log cases
* Automating nightly updates
* Entering data!

⚙️More on our process soon!
/4
Read 6 tweets
We've been compiling info on school reopening plans across the country. No clear winner yet, but Nova Scotia seems the best, Quebec the worst

We're going to keep updating this as more info comes in, and you can check here

masks4canada.org/safeseptember/…

#masks4canada #SafeSeptember
School reopening depends on all of these important factors being optimized
1) Masks for children of all ages can be difficult to accept, but evidence is increasing on their effectiveness. @ChildLifeMorgan goes over some basics on how to prepare your kids for school
Read 12 tweets
This just out: @AmyTanMD and I make the case that by not mandating masks for K-12 children in schools, we are playing Russian roulette with the health of our children, educators and communities.

Why?
/1

#SafeSeptember #Masks4Canada @DFisman @AshTuite
link.medium.com/iVB4wW4768
1. Children represent ~3–9% of COVID-19 infections. This fraction is rising in the US due to testing and increased exposure. Although children have less severe symptoms than adults, why some children get sicker and a rare few die is still unknown.
cdc.gov/coronavirus/20…
/2
2. Children transmit COVID-19 to household and non-household contacts with resulting severe outcomes, such as death. Expectant mothers infected with COVID-19 tend to have more severe outcomes than other women of reproductive age.
sciencemag.org/news/2020/08/w…
/3
Read 8 tweets
It’s clear not enough is being done to ensure a safe return to schools. Covid-19 numbers are low but rising, and what progress we’ve made will be lost if we mishandle this crucial transition. We at #Masks4Canada we are recommending an approach with the following points
1) Masks K-12: There is increasing evidence that kids spread Covid with gusto. This is a big but necessary cultural change, but it has to be done. Start preparing your kids to wear them, make it fun, make it a game.

Some resources:
masks4canada.org/resources/for-…
2) HVAC - a crucial and overlooked step. modern hospitals can exchange air rapidly, many older schools don't. Schools need to be tested. Windows must be opened, HEPA filters installed in rooms or added to central HVAC systems. Avoid any enclosed spaces with stagnant air
Read 10 tweets
School boards are noticing @imgrund's handy back-to-school policy comparison chart 👇 because people are speaking up 🗣️‼️

This weekend, e-mail your school trustees 📧demanding safe schools (template/contacts below). Your voice matters.

#SafeSeptemberON #onted #Masks4Canada
/1
✉️ Find your trustee's email address:
TDSB: tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Tru…
Peel: peelschools.org…/meetyourtr…/Pages/default.aspx
Durham: ddsb.ca/en/about-ddsb/…
York: yrdsb.ca/Trustees/Pages…
York Catholic: ycdsb.ca/trustees/
Halton: hdsb.ca/our-board/Page… /2
✏️Here's a template for a letter (e.g. for Durham):

Dear [school trustee] ,
Thank you for all the hard work school boards are putting in over the summer for this exceptional year. However, our school protocols are still missing key pieces to keep our children & teachers safe. /3
Read 11 tweets
Thanks @OntariosDoctors for this podcast discussion on my experience w/ social media (nice & not nice😆), mental health, experiences w/ racism, & #Masks4Canada🇨🇦 @WomenOMA
spotlightonhealth.buzzsprout.com/1204289/464498…
A few excellent Canadian female physicians I follow (1/2)⤵️
Grateful to learn from these leaders/advocates!
#WomenInMedicine🇨🇦👩🏻‍⚕️🩺

@MaryFernando_ @TChanMD @CHemansMD @MPaiMD @nilikm @DocMCohen @drlesleybarron @DeatonMD @DrYolandaK @MOngMD @AliceYYCheng @SamHillMD @MakhijaMD
A few excellent Canadian female physicians I follow (2/2)⤵️ #WomenInMedicine🇨🇦👩🏻‍⚕️🩺

@RobertaSchell @farahmarani @drgigiosler @AmyTanMD @DocSchmadia @AngelaMCheung @CanadianKayMD @janephilpott @janinemccready @LisaEsther6

Sorry if I missed anyone, pls add any recommendations!😊
Read 3 tweets
83% of Canadians (& 90% of Ontarians) supported mandatory masks in public places😷👏🏻🇨🇦

"As long as we don’t have the vaccine yet, I think the mask is very important for us to help us protect from this virus."
#Masks4Canada #COVID19
H/T @CamWoodsum
globalnews.ca/news/7206572/c…
This is a helpful article about how to choose a mask:
#Masks4Canada #MaskUp
npr.org/sections/goats…
How to wear a mask (do's & don'ts!):
#Masks4Canada #WearAMask
canada.ca/content/dam/hc… ImageImage
Read 3 tweets
Canada, now that England has finally made face masks mandatory will Health Canada follow? No more excuses. @devisridhar global public health expert @EdinburghUni “The only real question about face masks is what took England so long?”
#Masks4Canada @jkwan_md @robshirkey
Canada, sound familiar? Health Canada befuddled on mandatory masks. Global public health expert @devisridhar: “After going around in circles about the merits of face coverings for months, England has made them mandatory in shops from 24 July.” #Masks4Canada @jkwan_md @robshirkey
Gets even better. Oxford study shows public health measures need to be clear on masks.
Now will HealthCanada issue a country-wide mandate? #go2zero #Masks4Canada @jkwan_md @robshirkey @profamirattaran @IrfanDhalla @GosiaGasperoPhD
https://t.co/HJEyHeJU5e
Read 3 tweets
Yay! Great to ensure a safe re-opening🥳 Thank you Mayor Ward!
#Masks4Canada #BurlON
Can’t wait to go to winners/homesense & browse the clearance section again & buy things I didn’t need🤭 @LifeAtTJXCanada
Another region mandates masks! Thanks to @frankscarpitti for leading the way for Markham & York Region😷👏🏻 #Masks4Canada
Read 3 tweets
"Officials must address these disparities [of mask mandates] by adopting an educational rather than punitive approach to implementation."
An exploration of how masks can affect, but also protect, the vulnerable. #Masks4Canada Thanks @abresge! ottawamatters.com/national-news/…
"[Masks should be accessible] so that we don't prevent ppl from interacting w/ the world around them just because they don't have $/capability to buy/create a mask." @BogochIsaac, suggesting distribution of masks+community outreach programs to educate on how to use them properly.
"Those who are most vulnerable need the rest of us to mask, but also need us to have an overall perspective of goodwill, caring for ourselves, not bullying other ppl (&) assuming that other ppl have the best intent."
@Hanigsberg
(Don't assume why someone isn't wearing a mask!)
Read 4 tweets
😷 Leaders in Ontario can’t agree if wearing masks in indoor public spaces should be mandatory — and, if so, who should give that order. I asked public health officials, politicians, a physician and a lawyer about the province's patchwork approach to face covering. [1/7]
The Ontario government strongly recommends masks but has maintained a provincial rule would be too hard to enforce. They say masking is best dealt with at the regional or local level. @jkwan_md and doctors with #Masks4Canada want to see consistently-applied rules. [2/7]
Wajid Ahmed and Nicola Mercer, the medical officers of health for Windsor-Essex County and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public respectively, enacted mandatory mask rules in their regions. They say rules do more than recommendations to increase usage. [3/7]
Read 7 tweets
In a pandemic, what can ordinary Canadians do to prepare and help themselves if their governments won’t help them, as Harvard epidemiologist @BillHanage advises?
#Masks4Canada
@jkwan_md @jeremyphoward @AmyTanMD @jvipondmd @robshirkey @SharkawyMD @drmwarner @picardonhealth 1/
Can Canadians join together in mass action - send a strong message to Public Health and governments on the critical need for mandatory masks in indoor public spaces?
#Masks4Canada @jkwan_md @jeremyphoward @AmyTanMD @jvipondmd @robshirkey @SharkawyMD @drmwarner @picardonhealth 2/
What kind of grassroots mass action could ordinary Canadians take to effectively send a message on mandatory masks in indoor public spaces?
#Masks4Canada
@jkwan_md @jeremyphoward @AmyTanMD @jvipondmd @robshirkey @SharkawyMD @drmwarner @picardonhealth 3/
Read 5 tweets
Workplaces across North America are opening up, I have serious concerns that by not requiring masks in indoor workplaces we are going to see a huge resurgence in a few weeks and another shutdown.
#onpoli #Covid_19 #coronavirus
1/
I've had patients who work in essential industries complain that their colleagues and foremen would get into their faces and ignore social distancing rules. This means messaging is either non-existent or not translating to the front-lines.
2/
Some large companies are taking the initiative and have excellent policies.
Smaller firms, those likely to employ low-wage part-time workers, the kind who are less likely to speak out, will not be so careful.
This 'soft-underbelly' of the economy is just ripe for disease spread
Read 13 tweets
Status of #COVID19 in #Ontario [May 16 10:30am]: 22313 known cases* (391 new cases, 1858 total deaths, 33 new deaths)

See THREAD for more graphs📈⤵️

#covid19Canada #COVIDー19 #onhealth #COVID_19 #covidontario #COVID19ontario #onpoli
A closer look at #COVIDー19 daily changes in #Ontario🎢

New cases: 391
New deaths: 33
New resolved: 379

Thicker line is 7 day moving average.
#COVID19 #COVID19ON #covid19Canada #onhealth
Read 14 tweets

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