Thread by @jvipondmd

A short thread examining expert advice on airborne transmission in this new @calgaryherald article. 1/ calgaryherald.com/news/local-new…

This whole paragraph is incorrect. Aerosol spread has been shown to be dominant, from well before Nov 2020. In fact, there is no evidence for droplet spread, and minimal evidence for contact. 2/ cdc.gov/coronavirus/20…

Incorrect. The new guidance says: a medical mask or a respirator, not just a medical mask. A respirator (aka N95/KN95/elastomeric) is a much better fitting mask than a surgical mask and will be much better protection when exposed to virus in aerosols. 3/ canada.ca/en/public-heal…

Why is considering a respirator important? The document specifically IDs fit as an important quality. It is worth noting Alberta has never recommended respirators for the public. And never for its staff, except in rare magical situations known as AGMPs 3/

This PCRA (point of care risk assessment) is supposed to allow HCWs to judge risk. But HCWs have never ever ever been told of the dangerous of airborne transmission or the factors that might make it more likely. How can they accurately assess risk without training? 4/

There are no other industries that would ask a worker to take responsibility for their own safety.Imagine a construction worker being told"decide if you need to wear a hard hat in this situation".Or an asbestos worker which situations to wear a mask with. esp. without training 5/

Reference please?

Vaccines are an important tool. One where those 5-11 won't be fully protected for a min. of 10 wks from now (2 doses 8 wks apart +2 wks). Why can't we better protect them until then? Remove mask exemptions. Allow filtration systems. Improve TTI. Allow mass rapid tests. fin/

Now read these great scicomm articles on airborne transmission.
cmaj.ca/content/193/26…

thelancet.com/article/S0140-…