Posts tagged with: KeepMasksInHealthcare

The CDC’s HICPAC has proposed guidance that will weaken infection control in healthcare settings. They have a rather short period for written comments, “…opened November 1, 2023, and will close at 11:59 pm on November 6, 2023.” I presume that is Eastern timezone.

Below is the message I sent, including links to more information. Please take a moment and send an email yourself! hicpac@cdc.gov

Subject: Strengthen infection control guidance

To: CDC’s Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC)
hicpac@cdc.gov

I am writing to join my voice with the National Nurses United (NNU), People’s CDC, and thousands of experts in public health — calling on HICPAC to strengthen the guidance on infection control and fully recognize the aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The proposed updates weaken the guidance and do not adequately follow the current science on transmission. This will put more healthcare workers and patients at risk.

I am also urging more openness and transparency in your processes. You should be seeking input from frontline workers and other experts in respiratory health. Draft guidance should be published along with the scientific evidence well in advance, with an ample time for the public to make written comments.

Thank you,
Gregor Morrill

I emailed this message to our county public health officer and my district supervisor.

Subject: Please keep our communities safer from COVID-19

To: Wilma J. Wooten, MD, MPH
Public Health Officer, San Diego Health and Human Services Agency
Wilma.Wooten@sdcounty.ca.gov
https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa.html

Cc: Chairwoman Nora Vargas
San Diego County Supervisor District 1
District1community@sdcounty.ca.gov
https://www.supervisornoravargas.com

Dear Dr. Wooten and Chairwoman Vargas,

I am writing to express my deep concern about the spread of COVID-19 in healthcare settings due to the lack of mitigations like masking. Nobody should have to worry about getting COVID while seeking care and healthcare workers should not have to fear contracting it at work. We know that COVID is airborne, people can be infectious without showing symptoms, and two-way masking with well-fitting respirators is effective at reducing its spread.

I am at a higher risk myself due to some heart issues. I was incredibly dismayed when I went in for a routine visit to my cardiologist and saw none of the staff were masked. I am particularly concerned for our disabled and immunocompromised community members who have had to be extremely cautious during the ongoing pandemic (and before). Most places in society have become even more hostile to their existence in the rush “back to normal.” Now some of the most important places for them, healthcare settings, are no longer safe for them either.

A conservative count from the US Health and Human Services showed that over 138,000 hospital-acquired COVID infections occurred in the first three months of 2023.¹ We know that COVID infection — no matter how mild — puts people at risk of an array of long-term health issues. I also consider this an equity and racial justice issue since COVID disproportionately impacts BIPOC people.

I know county guidance “strongly recommends” masking in healthcare settings, but that is clearly not sufficient. I believe universal masking in healthcare settings must become a standard part of infection control. I urge you to work towards making that a county mandate. I would also urge for programs to make high-quality respirators readily available to all, along with clearer public health messaging about their effectiveness. Together, these actions will help keep our communities safer from COVID.

Some additional resources:

• Back to the future: Redefining “universal precautions” to include masking for all patient encounters (doi:10.1017/ice.2023.2)
• People’s CDC: Universal Masks and COVID-19 Admission Screening Should be Standard of Care

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Gregor Morrill
San Diego resident of District 1

I was at my cardiologist today for a routine check-up and did not see a single person masked. I saw three nurses/staff behind the desk and four patients in the waiting area. The other patients all appeared to be ages 60+. Neither of the people who saw me in the patient room were masked. Again, this was in a cardiologist’s office at the hospital.

If I look exhausted, it’s because I am. I feel so alone.

We should not have to worry about getting COVID while receiving healthcare and workers should not have to fear contracting it at work. We know that COVID is airborne, people can be infectious without showing symptoms, and two-way masking is effective at reducing its spread.

The People’s CDC has some great resources and action materials. Check out their website, specifically “Keep Healthcare Safe” under the “Actions” menu. You can contact your governor, county health officials, and healthcare executives to tell them they should make masking the new infection control standard for healthcare.

In the meantime, please continue masking indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces. This is an act of love and reciprocal care. We are interdependent and there is no individualizing of risk during these times.

Art credit: @schmutzparty on Twitter who said to “take, share, and distribute widely.” A high resolution version is also available.

COVID transmission is still high around the US and we need masks to protect our most vulnerable in healthcare settings. Help us protect those who need it most by telling your governor to #KeepMasksInHealthcare:

Learn More and Send a letter: Keep Masks in Healthcare