Ron Chusid Jan 16, 2023
WHO updates their recommendations to advise masking by "anyone in a crowded, enclosed, or poorly ventilated space" regardless of local epidemiological conditions in light of its global spread.
#COVID #BringBackMasks
https://www.who.int/news/item/13-01-2023-who-updates-covid-19-guidelines-on-masks--treatments-and-patient-care
WHO updates COVID-19 guidelines on masks, treatments and patient care

The update is part of a continuous process of reviewing such materials, working with guideline development groups composed of independent, international experts.

Show threadNathanael NerodeJan 16, 2023

@rchusid Now we just need @WHO to mention #N95, #N99, #P100, #FFP2, #FFP3, #P3, #KF94, and/or #KN95 #elastomeric #respirators -- the ones which *work* -- rather than just vaguely saying "masks".

Cloth & surgical junk masks are 30% effective -- better than nothing.

#N95 and reusable #P100 #elastomeric #respirators are >95% effective -- MUCH better. And they're cheap enough.

Show threadSpencer W HunterJan 16, 2023
@neroden @rchusid
My favorite @masknerd quote:
“Cloth masks are better than nothing… but they’re a lot closer to ‘nothing’ than ‘better.’”
Show threadDon MiltonJan 17, 2023
@swhunter7 @neroden @rchusid @masknerd
As PPE for high risk workers, #masks are nothing. But as a population intervention they are very significant. This is a critical distinction. As an OccDoc, I insist workers be protected and advise high risk patients to use an #N95 because 30 to 50% risk reduction is not enough on an individual basis. But at a population level that translates to a 50-75% reduction in transmission. That is way better than nothing.
Show threadmindstalk
@Don_Milton @swhunter7 @neroden @rchusid @masknerd
if R0=12, 75% reduction means Re=3, still exponential growth leading to infection of the whole population. I want masking+NPIs strong enough to reduce Re below 1.0 Probably hard, but (now that China has surrendered) no one even tries.
Jan 25, 2023 at 7:37amWeb