Healthcare Professionals, led by members of AFT and other unions, have been advocating for full PPE precautions, including the use of N95 or better respirators, when treating Covid 19 positive or suspected patients and for all people to wear masks in public.
We received push back on this, at one time told to remove masks in the hospital "because they would scare patients."
However, even facing discipline, these Healthcare Professionals did not back down.
We owe them a great thanks.
On Friday, the CDC updated their web site on how Covid 19 spreads, to include "droplets or small particles, such as those in aerosols, produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes"
And, "COVID-19 may spread through the droplets and airborne particles that are formed when a person who has COVID-19 coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes"
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html
This is what we’ve been saying since the beginning. Not based on studies (which take time) but on experience at the bedside and on observation of the quick spread of the virus.
It’s likely one of the reasons, along with asymptotic transmission, on why the virus spreads so quickly. It’s also likely why masks slow the spread and why outdoor ventilation helps decrease spread.
When we wear a mask, it decreases droplets and aerosols we might discharge by talking, etc. It's why N95s are critical for healthcare professionals working with positive or suspected patients. They filter particles which have become airborne.
Thank you to all the Healthcare Professionals who continued to push for safe practices, even when others tried to discourage you. You truly are heroes.
From the CDC site
COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person to person, including between people who are physically near each other (within about 6 feet). People who are infected but do not show symptoms can spread the virus to others. We are still learning about how the virus spreads and the severity of illness it causes.
COVID-19 most commonly spreads
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets or small particles, such as those in aerosols, produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes.
- These particles can be inhaled into the nose, mouth, airways, and lungs and cause infection. This is thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
- Droplets can also land on surfaces and objects and be transferred by touch. A person may get COVID-19 by touching the surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. Spread from touching surfaces is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
- It is possible that COVID-19 may spread through the droplets and airborne particles that are formed when a person who has COVID-19 coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes. There is growing evidence that droplets and airborne particles can remain suspended in the air and be breathed in by others, and travel distances beyond 6 feet (for example, during choir practice, in restaurants, or in fitness classes). In general, indoor environments without good ventilation increase this risk.
COVID-19 spreads very easily from person to person
How easily a virus spreads from person to person can vary. Airborne viruses, including COVID-19, are among the most contagious and easily spread. Some viruses are highly contagious, like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. The virus that causes COVID-19 appears to spread more efficiently than influenza, but not as efficiently as measles, which is highly contagious. In general, the more closely a person with COVID-19 interacts with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread.
