December 10, 2024 (British Columbia, Canada)<\/b> \u2013 Advocacy groups in BC are calling on policy-makers to immediately reinstate healthcare mask requirements. The call comes as BC faces severe risks from COVID-19<\/a>, a rise in \u201cwalking pneumonia,\u201d<\/a> local measles warnings<\/a>, and Canada\u2019s first human case of H5N1 avian influenza<\/a> – which health officials warn<\/a> could potentially turn into another pandemic.<\/p>\n Since BC dropped healthcare mask requirements in April 2024, the province has already endured multiple outbreaks in medical settings<\/a>, and British Columbians have sent over<\/a> 33,000 letters<\/a> calling for masks to be restored. The recent case of avian influenza exposed over 30 healthcare workers, flagging the need for broader use of N95s[1]<\/a>, as the only masks rated<\/a> to protect against airborne illnesses. Experts warn that a refusal to use available layers of protection puts our most vulnerable at unnecessary risk.<\/p>\n \u201cHealthcare settings are full of the most vulnerable people: from newborns, to cancer patients, to elders, to people recovering from surgery,\u201d said Dr. Karina Zeidler, a family physician and co-founder of Protect Our Province BC. \u201cThere\u2019s no acceptable level of avoidable healthcare infections. Masks are an effective and cost-effective measure that protect patients, family members and workers, and we should be using them consistently, not waiting until things get out of control.\u201d<\/p>\n For some patients, the absence of mask requirements makes accessing safe care impossible. \u201cWithout N95 masks in healthcare, I\u2019ve had to indefinitely postpone specialized care at BC Women\u2019s Hospital,\u201d said Hannah Wilson, a social services worker and organizer with DoNoHarm BC. \u201cI\u2019m chronically ill and immunocompromised due to a past viral infection – yet when I made a disability accommodations request for care staff to wear N95s, they refused because it wasn\u2019t currently required. Instead, they told me I could either \u201cgo elsewhere\u201d, or stand waiting outside the hospital: something I can\u2019t even do because of my disability.\u201d<\/p>\n Advocates point out that other healthcare networks have already restored mask requirements, such as those in southwestern Ontario<\/a>, Newfoundland and Labrador<\/a>. BC\u2019s Human Rights Commissioner has also been highly critical<\/a> of the decision to remove mask protections, stating it \u201cdoes not uphold a human rights centred approach to public health.\u201d<\/p>\n Those who want to ensure safer medical settings, including hospitals and long-term care, can join DoNoHarm BC\u2019s letter campaign<\/a> and take further action at DoNoHarmBC.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n – 30 –<\/p>\n DoNoHarm BC<\/b> is a non-partisan action group based in British Columbia, Canada. Their mission is to demand evidence-based safety measures in high-risk settings; to advocate for effective and equitable public health policies; and to help lead grassroots collective action promoting safety, equity, accessibility, and resilience in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. DoNoHarmBC.ca<\/a><\/p>\n Protect Our Province BC<\/b> is a grassroots group of physicians, nurses, health scientists, health policy specialists and community advocates.They work together to help people in BC stay safe by sharing accurate information about the COVID-19 pandemic in BC, and advocating for science-based policies. ProtectBC.ca<\/a><\/p>\n The Canadian Covid Society<\/b> is a national organization whose mission is to inform the public about the health consequences of Covid infections, to advocate for science-based measures to reduce the transmission of the virus, and to empower and support people with Long Covid. CovidSociety.ca<\/a><\/p>\n Media inquiries and interview requests: <\/b>DoNoHarmBC@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photos and fact sheets available at bit.ly\/Dec2024_press_package<\/a><\/p>\n