Ontario, Alberta change policy limiting N95 masks as health-care workers demand greater access

Alberta and Ontario have reached agreements with unions to allow some health-care workers to use N95 respirator masks if they feel it is necessary.At least two provinces have bowed to union pressure to let some health professionals use specialized respirator face masks when treating COVID-19 patients, sparking concern among infection-control experts this will undermine health workers’ trust in their advice.

Michael Hurley, CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions president, said on Thursday that all health-care workers should have the choice to wear N95 masks. He said the union is set to have more discussions with Ontario about expanding its directive. For COVID-19, provincial and federal governments recommend using airborne precautions only when workers are doing what is known as “aerosol-generating procedures,” such as an intubation. Such procedures can generate small viral particles that can remain in the air longer than they would under other conditions, such as when a person coughs or sneezes.

“It’s been very challenging and kind of undermines a lot of work we’re doing at the hospital level to work with our staff,” Dr. McCready said.She has been interacting with COVID-19 patients for weeks wearing a surgical mask, she added, and is confident about that level of protection.

Unfortunately you cannot do that. Some of the “essential” services that are working with the chemicals required to make the ppe and the cleaners you want need to use the n95 filter as PPE for use with those chemicals so they don’t die making your PPE from the vapors.

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