For more than two years now, CDC's Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) has pushed back against science, the public, HCWs, patients, Long Covid victims, & common sense to introduce better airborne protections for healthcare workers and patients
The last time the guidance for "Airborne, Contact, & Droplet Precautions" was updated was 2007

A lot has changed since then

We now know most diseases are transmitted "through the air"

In fine aerosols

Not large "droplets"

And we face numerous airborne disease threats now
10 voting members of HICPAC determine the risk of airborne transmission to 345 million Americans & 42 million Canadians

Putting at risk every year:

~90% who will interact with healthcare in some fashion

~10% who will be treated in hospital

~10 million Healthcare Workers
9 out of 10 HICPAC members are steadfastly resolute in opposition to the increased use of respirators or mandated universal masking of any sort in hospitals
CDC itself pushed back to the HICPAC committee to insist they start to follow the science and to provide better airborne protection guidance

But still they refuse
The public and advocacy groups have weighed in heavily

Over and over

With both written responses and oral presentations

To insist the HICPAC committee start to follow the science and provide better airborne guidance

But still they refuse
Here are the headlines over the past 2 years:

Aug 24, 2023:

CDC Advisory Group Under Fire for Proposed Infection Control Guidelines

— Nurse union, occupational health experts, patients say weaker guidelines help only employers Image
Nov 6, 2023:

Critics Say CDC Advisors' Infection Control Guidance Isn't Strong Enough

— Draft guidelines from HICPAC criticized after most recent meeting Image
Nov 29, 2023:

CDC Advisors' Infection Control Guidance Leaves Us Unprotected

— The guidelines will lead to unnecessary infections and deaths if approved Image
Jan 24, 2024:

CDC Pushes Back on HICPAC Infection Control Guidance, Asks for Clarification

— Questions center on precautions against airborne pathogens, use of N95s in healthcare settings Image
May 5, 2024:

WHO Overturns Dogma on Airborne Disease Spread. The CDC Might Not Act on It.

— The report "is a complete U-turn," according to one expert Image
Aug 24, 2024:

CDC Advisory Group Under Fire for Proposed Infection Control Guidelines

— Nurse union, occupational health experts, patients say weaker guidelines help only employers Image
Nov 18, 2024:

CDC Advisors Defend Infection Control Draft Guidance

— HICPAC supports surgical masks for airborne pathogens, sick workers returning after 3 days Image
Nine people are blocking airborne protections for 387 million others

Nine people are causing harm to 387 million others

Nine people are causing billions of dollars in economic damage

Nine people are causing a breakdown in healthcare with labour shortages
10 people are selected to join HICPAC to protect HCWs, patients, the healthcare system, the public & the economy

9 out of 10 members are actively undermining airborne protections
Thank you, new member Lisa Baum, OHS Nursing Specialist, for being the one HICPAC member to stand up firmly against the majority to protect HCWs, patients & the public against airborne transmission of disease in Healthcare

👏👏👏

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More from @BarryHunt008

Nov 19
In the learn something new every day category...

I'm getting some nuclear medicine bone scans done this morning to look at the extent of my infections... Image
Image
So I did a bit of research & learned Canada is a world leader in new production technology for Technetium, Tc-99m, the radioactive isotope used for 85% of scans worldwide

About 30 million scans per year
I knew Canada had been a major world supplier of radioactive imaging materials for years until the aging Chalk River nuclear facility was closed in 2018

So it became necessary to import the nuclear material from other countries Image
Read 9 tweets
Nov 16
I'm concerned that ppl may think all we need to do is follow ASHRAE 241 or deliver 6 ACH to ensure safe indoor air

When that fails to stop the pandemic, there will be a backlash against investing in Safe Indoor Air
This reminds me of the over promise of vaccines

They were never going to stop the pandemic

Neither will ASHRAE 241 or 6 ACH
ASHRAE 241 & 6 ACH are a GREAT FIRST START

But they are only the start
Read 10 tweets
Nov 14
Today I had an opportunity to address the CDC HICPAC committee

The amazing speakers before me covered many topics but generally pushed the committee to do more to protect patients & HCWs, esp wrt protection from airborne transmission
👏👏👏

This was my 3 minute pitch:
This is a turning point in the history of disease transmission and Infection Control.

We already face an unprecedented challenge of pathogens that transmit through the air with even more serious highly pathogenic threats on the horizon.
The need for Engineered Infection Prevention and Universal Air Precautions is becoming more imperative by the day.

Today there is a teenager in critical condition in ICU, Canada’s first known case of the highly pathogenic strain of H5N1.

It won’t be the last.
Read 12 tweets
Nov 7
Hi everyone,

The CSA Standard, Cleaning & Disinfection of Healthcare Facilities, is now available for Public Review & comment until Dec 3rd.

Here’s the link:
publicreview.csa.ca/Home/Details/5…
To ensure there is clear direction for HCWs to wear respirators while cleaning, there are two areas I can see that could benefit from public comment:

4.4 PPE for cleaning and disinfecting

12 Health and safety
Public comments could include things like:

“respirators shall be worn at all times during cleaning and disinfection”

“respirators should be prioritized over hand hygiene and gowns”
Read 7 tweets
Nov 2
It looks like 2022 was the Tipping Point for opportunistic infections due to Covid

Which makes sense

Since 2022 was the year the world abandoned Covid precautions

Thx @1goodtern 🙏 ☺️ Image
Certainly that's what happened here in Canada 🇨🇦

😢 Image
Thank you, UK 🇬🇧, not for Covid protections but for the infection data
Read 5 tweets
Oct 16
I asked @perplexity_ai,

"What's the best way to stop the Covid airborne pandemic?"

The answer surprised me
"To effectively mitigate the airborne transmission of COVID-19, a multi-faceted approach focusing on indoor environments is crucial. Here are the key strategies to combat the spread of the virus:
Ventilation Improvements
Enhancing ventilation is one of the most effective ways to reduce the concentration of airborne viral particles indoors.
Increase outdoor air supply: Boost the amount of fresh outdoor air circulating in indoor spaces. This can be achieved through:
•Opening windows and doors when possible
•Adjusting HVAC systems to bring in more outdoor air
•Using window fans to exhaust indoor air and draw in fresh air
Optimize air exchange rates: Aim for higher air changes per hour (ACH) to dilute potential contaminants.
Disable demand-controlled ventilation: Turn off systems that reduce air supply based on occupancy or temperature during occupied hours.
Air Filtration and Purification
Use high-efficiency filters: Install MERV-13 or higher rated filters in HVAC systems to capture a greater percentage of airborne particles.
Deploy portable air cleaners: Use HEPA air purifiers in areas with poor ventilation or high occupancy.
Air Disinfection
UV air disinfection: Install ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) systems to inactivate viruses in the air.
Occupancy and Behavior Modifications
Reduce indoor occupancy: Limit the number of people in enclosed spaces to decrease the potential for viral spread.
Encourage mask-wearing: Proper use of well-fitting masks can significantly reduce the emission and inhalation of respiratory droplets.
Maintain physical distancing: Keep at least 6 feet apart, especially during activities that increase respiratory droplet emission.
Monitoring and Management
CO2 monitoring: Use CO2 levels as an indicator of ventilation adequacy and potential viral spread.
Regular maintenance: Ensure HVAC systems and air cleaning devices are properly maintained and functioning optimally.
Comprehensive Approach
It’s important to note that no single strategy is sufficient on its own. A layered approach combining multiple interventions is most effective in reducing the risk of airborne transmission. Building owners and managers should consider consulting with HVAC professionals to implement these strategies safely and effectively.
By implementing these evidence-based measures, we can significantly reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in indoor environments and help control the pandemic."
That was my answer too

😊
Read 17 tweets

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