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.

@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.

@neroden @rchusid
My favorite @masknerd quote:
“Cloth masks are better than nothing… but they’re a lot closer to ‘nothing’ than ‘better.’”
@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.

@swhunter7 @neroden @rchusid @masknerd@mstdn.
Wide spread use of masks, not respirators would significantly reduce transmission. It is almost as good as ventilation, filtration, and air disinfection. But the latter can be achieved without infringing on behavior and without the very annoying social barriers masks put between us.

Why isn’t WHO talking about these much more socially acceptable interventions?

@Don_Milton @swhunter7 @neroden @rchusid

One thing that I would like to add is that earloop respirators(such as the KN95 and KF94 formats) have no downsides when compared to surgical masks. They offer better filtration, easier to breathe in, more protection(2x-7x) and easier to talk in. So to me there is no "cost" to moving the minimum to an earloop format. N95's and headband respirators start to have some trade offs. Widespread use of earloops would even be more impactful at very little cost

@masknerd @Don_Milton @swhunter7 @neroden @rchusid I bought a bunch of KF94s when it became apparent that we need to up out game. I do use an some plastic hooks that came with them to connect the ear loops for a more snug fit.
@johnvan54 @masknerd @Don_Milton @swhunter7 @neroden There are a variety of things sold to get a tighter fit when using ear loops. I use them sometimes but generally limit to KN95s and KF 94s which already have a tight fit and use N95's when around patients or inside a public place for a long time.