Stephen Griffin Profile picture
Nov 2, 2022 9 tweets 4 min read Read on X
For the avoidance of doubt:
SARS-CoV2 transmission is mainly aerosol, some droplet - proportion varies with activity. Hence, indoors = super-spreader events, outdoors = dissipates quickly.
Well ventilated/filtered indoor spaces or outdoors, keep distance to avoid droplets, reduce
time spent in proximity to others, wear well-fitted filter masks (FFP2/3) if distancing is problematic, for long durations, and/or if prevalence is high.
Poorly ventilated/filtered indoors - masks as above are ESSENTIAL. Limit time, distance if possible to avoid direct exposure.
Now apply some logic...
Face shields do next to nothing, unless you're expecting a sneeze in the face, and even then will only prevent "direct inoculation"...
Similarly, whoever has spent the last 2.5 years making pretend force fields and castles out of Perspex with handy holes in them to pass things through, again, nice idea but primarily will prevent you experiencing direct exposure...does NOTHING to stop aerosols!
It pains me that I need to say this, but in a poorly ventilated space for any significant time (depending on the size of the room), "social", or indeed antisocial distancing will do NOTHING without a proper mask!
OK, so droplets CAN cause fomites, but sanitising our hands only prevents a minor route of SARS-CoV2 transmission.
However, much more effective for e.g. RSV, Influenza etc...but not Norovirus, soap and water required!!!
Please remember that your mask must actually be on your face, covering BOTH your nose and mouth, with a good fit and seal. FFP2/N95 or FFP3/N99 recommended. They are not chin, elbow, or neck warmers. They should be clean, dry and undamaged. This will protect you AND others.
Finally, none of these things are magic bullets. They will each partly reduce risk and work together. NPIs are variant agnostic - the virus spreads the same regardless. However, they should be used to SUPPORT vaccines. Get boosted, protect your kids. Stay safe.
#VaccinesPlus
Oh, perhaps consider these ideas in places where, say, clinically vulnerable, unwell, very young, or elderly people might spend a lot of time...for example, SMEGGING HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS AND CARE HOMES!!! Or, ideally everywhere...winter is not going to be fun at all...
#COVIDpledge

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More from @SGriffin_Lab

May 13
So, the bugs that put me in hospital recently were multi-resistant E. coli. No oral antibiotics would work, so I was on IV for 8 days; 2nd line was looking challenging had the infection not responded.

#AMR isn't a new problem, but the can is continuously kicked down the road...
It's not the same as a pandemic, so I'm not sure about that comparison.
BUT folks need to be reminded that, pre-penicillin and other abx, any wound or infection could be life threatening.
#AMR is via part over-use, part misuse, part inadequate investment into R&D.
In the main, anti-infectives aren't generally looked upon as a good way for pharma to recoup their investment, particularly as new antibiotics tend to be held in reserve nowadays because of the dangers #AMR brings...
This isn't companies being "evil", there's no conspiracy...
Read 17 tweets
May 8
Elsewhere in the multiverse there's a reality where the next pandemic threat is under control.
Here, governments recognised that it was their moral duty to ensure that the suffering and pain of those affected, both directly and indirectly, mattered more than the prior status quo.
They rectified #NHS disinvestment and "built back better" to ensure healthcare remained free at the point of care.

They genuinely addressed socio-economic inequality & inequity, channelling sufficient investment to actually "level up" deprived areas, independent of train tracks.
Yes, this involved a tax policy that meant wealthy people paid more, poorer people paid less, and Non-doms paid their dues or were banned.
The poverty gap began to shrink, and the proceeds from taxes weren't wasted on the sorts of companies that populated the VIP list...
Read 14 tweets
Apr 29
I'm experiencing an acute reminder of pretty much THE major principle of infectious disease pathology...

Namely: disease results from an imbalance between pathogen, host response (immunity and repair), and environment/niche.

Any skewed aspect of this triangle causes pathology.
For most instances, the balance is quickly restored; we don't suffer severe disease, even upon 1st exposure to a pathogen, because our immunity is so proficient.

But, otherwise "mild" pathogens can become pretty fearsome, for example, when immunity or underlying health is low...
Alternatively, microbes can emerge into a new niche where previous limitations on spread are removed.

We are all now used to this on the macro scale, i.e. a virus species jumping from animals into humans. Whether a pandemic, or a more limited outbreak, there's a growth flourish.
Read 13 tweets
Apr 17
Spoke to someone from @moderna_tx this week at a conference.
Weirdly, SARS2 vaccines came up!

I was told that 3 separate new large-scale syntheses were prepped last Yr, with only one (XBB) eventually used. These are $bn processes.
Hence, vax sales need to recoup this outlay...
This isn't anything sinister on the company's part, far from it - it's an entirely sensible & precautionary approach given the current situation.
As I've mentioned once or twice b4😉, we are still playing catch up when it comes to SARS2 evolution, both the skips and the Jumps!
This is most unlike the situation with SEASONAL influenza, where emergent strains for fluA/B can be detected early and effective vax generated.
That's not to say many don't retain good protection vs severe COVID from previous vax, but each (re)infection is a roll of the dice...
Read 25 tweets
Mar 13
SARS2 - HG2 or 3?
Some definitions...
ACDP HG2: "can cause disease and may be a hazard to employees. In normal usage they are unlikely to spread to the community and there is usually an effective prophylaxis or treatment available"
e.g. seasonal influenza, measles, herpesviruses
ACDP HG3: "can cause severe human disease and may be a hazard to employees. The organism may spread to the community but there is usually an effective prophylaxis or treatment available"
e.g. HCV*, HIV, SARS-CoV1/2, MERS-CoV.
Local BSL3 SOP governs containment & waste disposal.
It is already the case that low-risk work with SARS-CoV2, such as processing diagnostic tests, bloods etc., can be done at BSL2, as long as class 2 safety cabinets and sealed centrifuges are used.
However, DELIBERATE use, i.e. the propagation and/or concentration of virus is BSL3
Read 25 tweets
Feb 17
It's important to remember what's needed as a long-term solution to #COVID and future pandemics.
#VaccinesPlus requires population-scale mitigations, built around a core of broad vax coverage.
Suppression of prevalence is key to reduce exposure, risk to #CEV, and SARS2 evolution.
Continued development and access to antivirals, ideally as drug combinations, will blunt the impact whilst we strive for this, increasing pandemic preparedness.
However, prevention always beats cure.
There MUST be Govt recognition and appropriate measures vs aerosol transmission.
We need to think long-term re vax programmes.
We've stopped, basically, meaning a longer, more damaging journey to a (possible) predictable relationship with SARS2 that can (possibly) be dealt with via targeted approaches.
To pretend to do this successfully now is just ludicrous.
Read 19 tweets

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