Looks like a good time for another addition of... say it with me folks... "IT'S
NOT
JUST
SEMANTICS!"
1\\ https://twitter.com/Mikeggibbs/status/1391378214073815041?s=20




In the last week, @CDCgov and @WHO have finally updated their guidance to recognize *Aerosol Inhalation* as a primary mode of transmission. Both agencies NOW recognize short and long-range aerosol transmission; debunking the previous belief that close-contact = droplet.
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OK, So what? It's all academic semantics, right?
NO! Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) uses "Transmission-Based Precautions".
The PPE a HCW is provided is BASED on the MODE of transmission: DROPLET/AIRBORNE
Here's what PHO IPAC says currently:
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https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/updated-ipac-measures-covid-19.pdf?la=en
NO! Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) uses "Transmission-Based Precautions".
The PPE a HCW is provided is BASED on the MODE of transmission: DROPLET/AIRBORNE
Here's what PHO IPAC says currently:
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https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/updated-ipac-measures-covid-19.pdf?la=en
So according to the IPAC experts at Public Health Ontario - a gapping surgical mask is sufficient protection against a deadly virus that is INHALED via small AEROSOLS, which can remain suspended in the air.
Does this make sense to anybody?! CDC/NIOSH does NOT agree!
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Does this make sense to anybody?! CDC/NIOSH does NOT agree!
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To be clear: Those arguing against "Airborne Transmission" are arguing against using *Airborne Precautions* (ie. Respirators/N95s).
They want HCWs and frontline workers to continue using flapping surgical masks.
Not Airborne = No Respirators
5\\ https://twitter.com/BarryHunt008/status/1374692604051390469?s=20
They want HCWs and frontline workers to continue using flapping surgical masks.


5\\ https://twitter.com/BarryHunt008/status/1374692604051390469?s=20
It sure doesn't seem like it's "just an academic debate" to the Ontario Nurses, who have had to resort to going to the courts to get appropriate Respiratory PPE!
6\\ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-ontario-nurses-union-court-case-1.5989081
6\\ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-ontario-nurses-union-court-case-1.5989081
IPAC's intransigence isn't just a healthcare problem! Workplaces are taking their queues from these experts...
Let's look at the CURRENT Ontario Workplace guidance. OOPS! I wonder if there's a connection between this and vulnerable workers ending up in the ICU?!
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Let's look at the CURRENT Ontario Workplace guidance. OOPS! I wonder if there's a connection between this and vulnerable workers ending up in the ICU?!
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So who's responsible for IPAC in Ontario? Who can change this?
The PIDAC-IPC. https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/about/our-organization/external-advisory-committees/pidac-ipc
You will notice many of whom signed the now infamous ode to #DropletDogma back in Aug 2020.
https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaa1118/5891227
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The PIDAC-IPC. https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/about/our-organization/external-advisory-committees/pidac-ipc
You will notice many of whom signed the now infamous ode to #DropletDogma back in Aug 2020.
https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaa1118/5891227
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But let's be clear that Ontario IPAC isn't unique here.
Alberta IPAC is equally intransigent/negligent. This thread references many of the important studies surrounding this issue.
9\\ https://twitter.com/CPita3/status/1391444067440107526?s=20
Alberta IPAC is equally intransigent/negligent. This thread references many of the important studies surrounding this issue.
9\\ https://twitter.com/CPita3/status/1391444067440107526?s=20
And let's not forget about Dr. Bonnie "Soap and Water" Henry and the @CDCofBC:
10\\ https://twitter.com/CPita3/status/1390498828781039617?s=20
10\\ https://twitter.com/CPita3/status/1390498828781039617?s=20
If you're wondering how/why IPAC could be so wrong - read this fantastic thread by @jljcolorado. ID overcorrected from Miasma Theory and allowed #dropletdogma to reign supreme for 100 years. Those who understood aerosol physics were ignored/ridiculed.
11\\ https://twitter.com/jljcolorado/status/1391111720526024708?s=20
11\\ https://twitter.com/jljcolorado/status/1391111720526024708?s=20
We're in the midst of a paradigm shift in the understanding of respiratory virus transmission. We can either embrace the science and mitigate against Airborne Transmission, or we can sit back as IPAC continues to cling to their dogmatic beliefs - to our collective demise.
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