Thread by @BarryHunt008

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

Nov 6, 2023:

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

— Draft guidelines from HICPAC criticized after most recent meeting

Nov 29, 2023:

CDC Advisors' Infection Control Guidance Leaves Us Unprotected

— The guidelines will lead to unnecessary infections and deaths if approved

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

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

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

Nov 18, 2024:

CDC Advisors Defend Infection Control Draft Guidance

— HICPAC supports surgical masks for airborne pathogens, sick workers returning after 3 days

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

👏👏👏