{"id":128,"date":"2023-11-06T03:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-06T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/?p=128"},"modified":"2024-09-01T12:20:28","modified_gmt":"2024-09-01T16:20:28","slug":"ontario-we-need-universal-masking-with-respirators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/take-action\/ontario-we-need-universal-masking-with-respirators\/","title":{"rendered":"Ontario: We need universal masking with respirators in our hospitals!"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Let <abbr title=\"Members of Provincial Parliament\">MPPs<\/abbr> and hospital <abbr title=\"chief executive officers\">CEOs<\/abbr> know you want universal masking with respirators in Ontario hospitals<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"#send-a-letter\">Easily send a letter<\/a> to let them know you want the Ontario government to mandate the use of respirators in all hospital areas. Just add your name and email, and click send! Would you prefer to use your own email software? You can <a href=\"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/take-action\/ottawa-we-need-universal-masking-with-respirators-in-our-hospitals\/\">use an email template to send a letter to hospitals<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"fw-bold\">Why take action?<\/span> This week, we have included contacts for hospitals in Ottawa. In 2023, there have been <a target=\"_blank\" lang=\"en\" href=\"https:\/\/open.ottawa.ca\/datasets\/ottawa::covid-19-outbreaks-in-ottawa-healthcare-childcare-and-educational-establishments\/explore\" rel=\"noopener\">129&nbsp;COVID-19 outbreaks at Ottawa\u2019s hospitals so far, leading to 20&nbsp;deaths and 1,027&nbsp;known cases of COVID-19<\/a> (as of December&nbsp;13, 2023). Outbreaks have occurred in the Ottawa Hospital, the Queensway Carleton Hospital, H\u00f4pital Montfort, the Saint-Vincent Hospital, and the \u00c9lisabeth Bruy\u00e8re Hospital. Ottawa is a hotspot for COVID-19 now &mdash; there has been a dramatic surge in the wastewater viral signal since July (an increase of 2,069%, as of December&nbsp;7).<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/10\/image-cdc-wearing-a-mask-lowered-the-odds-of-testing-positive-1200x675-1.jpg\" alt=\"Image depicts the reduced risks associated with different types of masks. People who reported always wearing a mask in indoor public settings were less likely to test positive for COVID-19 than people who didn\u2019t. Wearing a cloth mask is associated with 56% lower odds of testing positive. Wearing a surgical mask lowered the odds of testing positive by 66%. Wearing a respirator (N95 or KN95) lowered the odds of testing positive by 83%.\" class=\"wp-image-2357\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/10\/image-cdc-wearing-a-mask-lowered-the-odds-of-testing-positive-1200x675-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/10\/image-cdc-wearing-a-mask-lowered-the-odds-of-testing-positive-1200x675-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/10\/image-cdc-wearing-a-mask-lowered-the-odds-of-testing-positive-1200x675-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/volumes\/71\/wr\/mm7106e1.htm\" rel=\"noopener\">Effectiveness of Face Mask or Respirator Use in Indoor Public Settings for Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection \u2014 California, February\u2013December 2021<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"send-a-letter\" class=\"mb-3\">What you can do: Please take a moment to voice your support for universal masking with respirators in Ontario hospitals<\/h2>\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details mb-3\"><summary class=\"fw-bold is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\">List of contacts<\/summary>\n\n<h3>To:<\/h3>\n<p><ul>\n<li><b>Premier Doug Ford, premier@ontario.ca<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Sylvia Jones, Ontario Minister of Health, sylvia.jones@ontario.ca<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Cameron Love, President and CEO, The Ottawa Hospital, Cameron.Love@toh.ca<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Alex Munter, President and Chief Executive Officer, CHEO, amunter@cheo.on.ca<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Vera Etches, Ottawa Public Health, Vera.Etches@ottawa.ca<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/p>\n<h3>Cc:<\/h3>\n<p><ul>\n<li><b>Marit Stiles, Leader of the NDP, MStiles-QP@ndp.on.ca<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>France G\u00e9linas, Critic, Health, fgelinas-qp@ndp.on.ca<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>John Fraser, Interim leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, jfraser.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Ontario Greens, mschreiner@ola.org<\/b><\/li><\/ul><\/p>\n\n<\/details>\n\n\n<!-- SpeakOut! Email Petitions 4.2.2 : En -->\n<div id=\"dk-speakout-windowshade\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"dk-speakout-petition-wrap petition-coviding\" id=\"dk-speakout-petition-1\" style=\"width: 100%;\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>We need universal masking with N95 respirators in our hospitals<\/h3><div id=\"dk-speakout-form-wrap\">\r\n    \t\t\t\t            <form class=\"dk-speakout-petition\"><input type=\"hidden\" id=\"dk-speakout-posttitle-1\" value=\"We+need+universal+masking+with+N95+respirators+in+our+hospitals\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" id=\"dk-speakout-tweet-1\" value=\"\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" id=\"dk-speakout-lang-1\" value=\"\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" id=\"dk-speakout-textval-1\" value=\"val\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" id=\"dk-speakout-petition-fade-1\" value=\"false\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" id=\"dk-speakout-requires_confirmation-1\" value=\"1\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" id=\"dk-speakout-hide-email-field-1\" value=\"0\" \/>\n\t<div class=\"dk-speakout-full\">\r\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input autocomplete=\"given-name\" name=\"dk-speakout-first-name\" id=\"dk-speakout-first-name-1\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" placeholder=\"First name\" required=\"required\"  \/>\r\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"dk-speakout-full\">\r\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input autocomplete=\"family-name\" name=\"dk-speakout-last-name\" id=\"dk-speakout-last-name-1\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" placeholder=\"Last name\" required=\"required\"  \/>\r\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"dk-speakout-full\">\r\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input autocomplete=\"email\" name=\"dk-speakout-email\" id=\"dk-speakout-email-1\" value=\"\" type=\"email\"  placeholder=\"Email\" required=\"required\"  \/>\r\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><div>\r\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"dk-speakout-half\">\r\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input  autocomplete=\"address-level2\" name=\"dk-speakout-city\" id=\"dk-speakout-city-1\" maxlength=\"200\" type=\"text\" placeholder=\"City\"  \/>\r\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\r\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"dk-speakout-privacypolicy-wrap\">\r\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"dk-speakout-options-checkbox\">\r\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    <input type=\"checkbox\" name=\"dk-speakout-privacypolicy\" id=\"dk-speakout-privacypolicy-1\" class=\"required\" \/>\r\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    <label for=\"dk-speakout-privacypolicy-1\" class=\"required dk-speakout-options\">Yes, I accept your <a href=\"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\">privacy policy<\/a><\/label>\r\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n                            <div class=\"dk-speakout-submit-wrap\">\r\n                                <div id=\"dk-speakout-ajaxloader-1\" class=\"dk-speakout-ajaxloader\" style=\"visibility: hidden;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\r\n                                <button name=\"1\" class=\"dk-speakout-submit\">Sign now<\/button>\r\n                            <\/div> <\/form><\/div><div class=\"dk-speakout-response\"><\/div><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"mt-3\">Message:<\/h2>\n<div class=\"petition-message\">\n<p>As a citizen who recognizes the importance of preventative public health measures, I urge you to implement universal masking with N95 (or better) respirators in Ontario\u2019s hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Universal masking with respirators will prevent the numerous COVID-19 outbreaks that threaten the health of patients and healthcare workers, and lead to closed hospital emergency rooms due to staff shortages.<\/p>\n<p>It is important to recognize that SARS-CoV-2 is a Level 3 biohazard, and we need to take precautions that are commensurate with the risks. I strongly urge you to consider upgrading the masks used in our hospitals to N95 (or better) respirators. Without universal masking with respirators, many vulnerable patients will be exposed to an airborne virus that can damage organs throughout the body. People who contract COVID-19 face risks of developing long COVID, cognitive issues, cardiovascular diseases, extreme fatigue, diabetes, an impaired immune system, and many other health issues.<\/p>\n<p>Ontario\u2019s hospitals should be the leaders in preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The health of both the staff and patients is at stake. By upgrading to N95s, FFP3s, elastomeric and PAPRs, hospitals could dramatically reduce nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infections among staff and patients[1] and help address the projected illness-related increase in staff absences and in SARS-CoV-2 complications this fall 2023.[2] As noted in the Forecast Report \u201cProtecting the Workforce &amp; Corporate Productivity: Preparing employers for the Fall 2023 contagious illness season to anticipate likely workforce disruptions\u201d by biorisk expert Conor Browne (p. 6):<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe majority of adults infected with COVID-19 during this period will be suffering their third SARS-CoV-2 infection. This will significantly elevate risks and rates of LC [Long COVID], since multiple infections is an established risk factor for its development. In general, widespread staff absences combined with personnel working at less than full productivity from increasingly common conditions like brain fog will adversely affect productivity across the board.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>We can learn from Ontario\u2019s experience dealing with SARS-1. It is now recognized that hospitals should have maintained requirements for N95 respirators during the SARS-1 pandemic.[3] This would have helped prevent a subsequent wave of infections.<\/p>\n<p>The Ontario government and healthcare organizations are accountable for their decisions \u2014 you can endanger the health of vulnerable citizens, or take decisive action to protect them using evidence-based public health measures. We believe that everyone has the right to access healthcare safely, without being exposed to a Level 3 biohazard. Making respirators mandatory is a clear path to reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infections and their impacts on those already seeking care for other conditions.<\/p>\n<p>Please take my concerns into account and implement mandatory respirator usage in all areas of Ontario\u2019s hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Doing so will protect the health and safety of healthcare workers and patients, and also demonstrate your commitment to evidence-based practices and community well-being.<\/p>\n<p>Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.<\/p>\n<p>Sincerely,<\/p>\n<p>[Your name and email address]<\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size:12px\">[1] Globus. \u201cUpgrading to FFP3 face masks in hospitals could save the NHS \u00a3360m a year and help slash patient waiting lists\u201d December 15, 2022. https:\/\/globusgroup.com\/newsroom\/upgrading-to-ffp3-face-masks-in-hospitals-could-save-the-nhs-360m-a-year-and-help-slash-patient-waiting-lists; University of Cambridge. \u201cUpgrading PPE for staff working on COVID-19 wards cut hospital-acquired infections dramatically.\u201d June 29, 2021. https:\/\/www.cam.ac.uk\/research\/news\/upgrading-ppe-for-staff-working-on-covid-19-wards-cut-hospital-acquired-infections-dramatically; Andrejko et al. (2022) &#8216;Effectiveness of Face Mask or Respirator Use in Indoor Public Settings for Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection \u2014 California, February\u2013December 2021&#8217; CDC Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 71:212\u2013216. http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.15585\/mmwr.mm7106e1: \u201cUsing a respirator offers the highest level of protection from acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 infection.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>[2] Raisonance. \u201cProtecting the Workforce &amp; Corporate Productivity: Preparing employers for the Fall 2023 contagious illness season to anticipate likely workforce disruptions\u201d at p. 9. https:\/\/assets.raisonance.ai\/WorkforceRiskReport_Fall-2023_FINAL.pdf.<\/p>\n<p>[3] Low DE.\u201dSARS: Lessons from Toronto.\u201d In: Institute of Medicine (US) Forum on Microbial Threats; Knobler S, Mahmoud A, Lemon S, et al., editors. Learning from SARS: Preparing for the Next Disease Outbreak: Workshop Summary. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2004. https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK92467\/.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><b><span class='signatureCount'>23<\/span> signatures out of <span class='signatureGoal'>500<\/span><\/b><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Protect our health \u2013 please send a letter to support universal masking with respirators in Ontario\u2019s hospitals!<\/p>\n<div class=\"more-link-wrapper\"><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/take-action\/ontario-we-need-universal-masking-with-respirators\/\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Ontario: We need universal masking with respirators in our hospitals!<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2712,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[96,18,295,25,23,19,245,119,137,249,14,462,685,143],"class_list":["post-128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-take-action","tag-canada","tag-covid-19","tag-ffp3-respirators","tag-hospital-acquired-infections","tag-hospitals","tag-masks","tag-n95-respirators","tag-ontario","tag-ottawa","tag-ottawa-gatineau","tag-sars-cov-2","tag-send-your-letter-now","tag-take-action","tag-universal-masking","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=128"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3800,"href":"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128\/revisions\/3800"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2712"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=128"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stillcoviding.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}