I'm trying to think why the different public & also public health reaction to an E. coli outbreak in shop bought foods versus the ongoing Covid pandemic.
The number of people affected is way smaller and yet it hits the headlines like below.
Most people would avoid this food.
1/🧵 Obviously, I'd avoid it too.
I'd imagine if people were offered to these sandwiches, most would refuse to eat them.
That's because they don't want to put a dangerous pathogen into their body.
I wish they would apply the same logic to covid.
Try to avoid it entering the body.
2/

I'm sure many have seen mask bans in parts of USA.
My view is that as long as people stay silent & keep accepting high disease spread as normal, the more likely those in power will take more & more of your rights away.
Even if you feel unaffected, you must see this is wrong.
1/🧵 Think about it. Even now we have seen the most basic protections against airborne diseases removed from most healthcare settings.
Those who are clinically vulnerable etc have been left to fend for themselves.
Again, even if you feel unaffected, you must see this is wrong.
2/

I love the simplicity of adding ceiling fans to classrooms (for example) as one measure.
The fans disrupt plumes, knocking aerosols down creating a safer near field environment.
They'd also help with air mixing & ventilation, complimenting open windows & in-room air filters.
1/🧵

https://twitter.com/sri_srikrishna/status/1800352313208619490

They are easy to install, easily available immediately, low cost, low power and low maintenance.
They are safe & unobtrusive & so all the daft objections we have towards in-room air filters cannot be applied so readily to ceiling fans.
Low ceilings could be one possible issue.
2/

A note on masking.
I've seen quite a few folk posting that they got caught with infection despite masking. When I look back at their prior posts, I see the type of masks being used with an element of despair.
I want to try to help because it's an easy trap to get caught in.
1/🧵 So most often what I see are ear loop style masks.
People know that FFP2, FFP3, N95s are all protective standards and they are for sure...but only if they fit & seal properly.
It is rare for most ear loop style masks to fit anyone well enough that they get a good seal.
2/

If respirators were used in all healthcare settings (as they should be) - there are very few downsides and plenty of benefits.

It would unquestionably be safer for staff & patients; reducing all airborne illnesses.

So what are the real reasons & obstacles?

A thread 🧵1/: Is it that they just can't admit it's airborne still; deploy the required PPE?
A big part of it for sure. The IPC folks still can't seem to get their heads around transmission and are fixated on droplets...but dropping the need for surgical masks too means it's not 100% this.
2/

If respirators were used in all healthcare settings (as they should be) - there are very few downsides and plenty of benefits.
It would unquestionably be safer for staff & patients; reducing all airborne illnesses.
So what are the real reasons & obstacles?
Some ponderings:
🧵/1 Is it that they just can't admit it's airborne still; deploy the required PPE?
A big part of it for sure. The IPC folks still can't seem to get their heads around transmission and are fixated on droplets...but dropping the need for surgical masks too means it's not 100% this.
2/

If you think Covid is nothing to be concerned about for you or your kids, think about who made you believe that.
Then consider the infected blood scandal where it's been admitted that Gov, NHS, civil servants, doctors, institutions etc ALL LIED to cover it up.
Trust them?
1/🧵 You see, the blood scandal took many decades before the truth saw the light of day.
Decades of people campaigning until they are heard.
Years of gaslighting and denial of any wrongdoing.
With Covid we're talking about very, very significantly higher numbers of people affected.
2/

Personal responsibility is no substitute for proper Public Heath controls.
e.g If we did away with food standards & just 'recommend' that restaurants cook chicken properly & have food handling hygiene measures but say diners can take their own sick bucket if they're anxious.
1/🧵 It would sound ridiculous.
You'd expect if you were opening a food outlet that you'd have a responsibility to safeguard the society that uses your services; prevent them becoming ill from food poisoning wouldn't you? You'd be right.
Yet this isn't the approach used for Covid.
2/

Spoke to neighbour earlier.
I mentioned whooping cough cases rising fast and to make sure his grandkids are vaccinated.
He said "I think we're over vaccinating. Kids need exposure to bugs. Making everyone immune to everything is really bad for the immune system".
1/🧵 I explained that it doesn't work this way. Immune systems are not muscles and rising cases of whooping cough and other infections in kids could be a result of weakened immune systems from constant Covid infections. They can become seriously ill.
He wasn't having any of it.
2/

I've been trying to think of anyone who quit their role (if in a position of influence) because of how badly Covid was being handled.
Still now for e.g.; schools & healthcare with poor air quality.
No masks in healthcare.
Who stood up & said this is wrong, not in my name?
1/🧵 I can think of lots who toed the line, took awards & plaudits.
I can think of plenty who were vocal at first and now say nothing whatsoever to challenge the narrative.
Others who have swung from being concerned and firing warning shots to encouraging disinterest & nonchalance.
2/

Healthcare in UK was poor prior to the pandemic. It has become much worse since.
Let me tell you of my father's experience.
It's pretty harrowing and I am finding it hard to imagine just how much worse it would be now with Covid rife in healthcare & worse service.
TW.
1/🧵 It started with Dad getting pain in his hip. He went to see the GP on several occasions. It was dismissed as anything serious. Likely a trapped nerve and so sent away with some meds and advice to perhaps try some swimming or gentle exercise.
It was worsening. Constant pain.
2/

Thinking about how the school & council dealt with my daughter's autism.
Instead of supporting her, they resented her.
Why?
Because she didn't just comply. Because she couldn't.
However, I see a parallel here with how Covid aware folk are treated by society as a whole.
1/🧵 We are misfits. All we are asking for are small adjustments and accommodations in public settings to make them safer to access.
People resent that.
Why?
Because we refuse to just comply, ignore and capitulate.
We can't because we know too much & we're right not to.
2/

A tale of two airborne BSL-3 infectious diseases. England.

What is low?

Tweet 1 of 3 🧵 So the idea that "there is not much Covid around right now" is not quite how we tend to look at levels of other similar pathogens.
People have become numb to it.
Lost sight of the harms & potential for Long Covid too.
No proactive approach to reduce C19 compared with TB plan.
2/

Covid cases are low I hear.
But...
Low compared to prevalence at peaks yet still very high prevalence compared with TB for example.
In 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, we have an action plan for TB.
Could we say we had a plan for Covid other than to live with it (aka ignore it)?
1/🧵
gov.uk/government/pub… You'd think having such an action plan for a disease with much lower prevalence than Covid would mean that TB was much worse than Covid, right?
But:
"TB continues to be a major cause of disease and death worldwide, being the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19"
2/

A little thread looking back at some of @ashishkjha's views around isolation.
"What would ideal COVID Isolation guidance be?"
1/🧵

https://x.com/ashishkjha/status/1478576266538373120?s=20

"5 day isolation & negative test is ideal"
"5 days isolation + 5 d masking reasonable too"
2/

https://x.com/ashishkjha/status/1475602918472572936?s=20

I was talking to a friend recently.
He said I know Covid is important to you but I live life normally, I travel, eat out, go on buses and it haven't caught it. My dad had it 3 times and it knocked him down for a few days each time but he's recovered well.
"I just carry on".
1/🧵 I've been thinking about this a while. He's a good guy and he cares. If he goes to hospital, he masks - but he doesn't do this in day to day life.
He doesn't feel highly vulnerable.
That's his experience.
His adult kids have had it & recovered.
He isn't ignorant of the threat.
2/

Sharing a series of brilliantly presented videos from @lolagerms (who deserves WAY more followers).

Lola's info is extremely well researched & full of useful tips & explainers delivered in a very clear way.

1st up; 'Covid is Airborne Pt 1'

1/🧵
'Covid is airborne part 2'.
A dive into the history, airborne confusion and miasma myths:
2/🧵

Long hospital visit for my daughter today.
Grateful to have the use of various tools to layer-up mitigations to make it safer for her.
Let me show you what was done and give details of what was used in this short thread:
1/🧵 So we have tried various respirators and find the @3M Aura style provides the best fit for her.
We added a @SIPmask because she needed to drink as part of the testing she was undergoing.
We purchased both of these through @FaceMaskStore - a trusted supplier.
2/

A story in 4 posts:

1 of 4

"We psychologize illnesses we don't fully understand."
"We project our ignorance onto these patients and that needs to stop"
@zalaly
1/🧵

https://twitter.com/ChrisCuomo/status/1748541531298902207

2 of 4
GP @drclairetaylor facing backlash from other health professionals for trying to direct them as to tests they should be carrying out for their patients with LC.

https://x.com/drclairetaylor/status/1748437582784999509?s=20

I asked someone recently why they were not wearing a respirator in a busy indoor setting.
Reply:
"had a killer sinus infection, was already losing my voice, and my mask was ibuprofen my pocket. I’m sick as a dog right now (not covid) but yes I have some regrets!"
Thoughts:
1/ 🧵 Well this was a person answering with honesty which I appreciate.
A lot of effort has gone into making sure this person thinks this way. I acknowledge that. Through Gov't & PH messaging.
Not protecting yourself is a 'paid for' action.
Keep 'topping up' infection levels. Sigh.
2/

Thread on UK schools; for the record.

The Government position is that they have robust evidence that most classrooms are adequately ventilated.
I have 2 problems with this:
1) Their definition of adequate is in no way sufficient.
2) No such evidence has ever been published.
1/🧵 Looking at what is 'adequate'. This has been derived from standard BB101 & says that occupied areas must not constantly exceed 1500ppm CO2.
This is much too high to be as effective as possible in reducing airborne disease transmission.
I disagree that it's in any way adequate.
2/