February 12, 2026 (British Columbia, Canada) \u2013 Independent public health groups in BC are calling on policy-makers to reinstate and improve mask requirements in medical settings. The call comes amidst multiple recent influenza<\/a> and COVID-19 outbreaks<\/a> in healthcare, following a winter punctuated by \u201cunprecedented\u201d ER closures<\/a> and staff shortages<\/a>, as well as massive measles outbreaks<\/a> and a prolonged COVID wave<\/a> across the border.<\/p>\n BC dropped an existing (though inconsistently applied<\/a>) healthcare mask requirement in March 2025, sparking backlash<\/a> from patients and clinicians. Since then, British Columbians have sent nearly<\/a> 10,000 letters<\/a> calling for consistent, evidence-based mask policies in medical settings, including default use of higher-grade masks like N95s to properly protect against airborne diseases<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the last month alone, 25-45% of hospitalized COVID patients each week<\/a> were infected in healthcare, while seeking care for other health concerns,\u201d said Dr. Karina Zeidler, a family physician and co-founder of Protect Our Province BC<\/a>. \u201cEven without hospitalization, many of these infections have long-term consequences, from organ damage<\/a> and immune issues<\/a> to increased risks of cancer<\/a> and dementia<\/a>. It\u2019s unconscionable that we aren\u2019t doing everything we can to reduce these risks.\u201d<\/p>\n For many BC patients and families, lax healthcare safety has created barriers to care. \u201cCurrently, the only way for my family to access safe healthcare is to call ahead to each medical office and negotiate airborne precautions with each one,\u201d said Beth Campbell Duke, a science educator whose partner is a lung transplant recipient and now also battling cancer. \u201cThe burden is entirely on our family to self-advocate, and there have been times when we\u2019ve had to cancel critical healthcare due to safety concerns. We\u2019re terrified for my husband\u2019s safety should we have to navigate a hospitalization, especially as we know of other lung transplant recipients infected in healthcare. Addressing airborne transmission is a critical patient safety issue.\u201d<\/p>\n Studies show that resumption of staff masking is associated with a 33% decrease<\/a> in hospital-onset respiratory viral infections, while N95-style masks can reduce exhaled viral load by 98%<\/a> and provide up to 100% protection<\/a> for healthcare workers. Each preventable hospital stay cost the healthcare system over $8000<\/a> on average, with an average COVID hospitalization costing over $24,000<\/a>.<\/p>\n Health networks in Newfoundland, Labrador<\/a>, PEI<\/a>, Nova Scotia<\/a>, Quebec<\/a>, and Ontario<\/a> already reinstated mask requirements months ago. Those who want to ensure safer medical settings in BC can join DoNoHarm BC\u2019s letter campaign<\/a> and take further action at DoNoHarmBC.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n – 30 –<\/p>\n DoNoHarm BC<\/strong> 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, equitable public health policies; and to help lead grassroots collective action promoting safety, equity, accessibility, and resilience in response to infectious disease risks and the COVID-19 pandemic. DoNoHarmBC.ca<\/a><\/p>\n Protect Our Province BC<\/strong> 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 Media inquiries: <\/strong>DoNoHarmBC@gmail.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" February 12, 2026 (British Columbia, Canada) \u2013 Independent public health groups in BC are calling on policy-makers to reinstate and improve mask requirements in medical settings. The call comes amidst multiple recent influenza<\/a> and COVID-19 outbreaks<\/a> in healthcare, following a winter punctuated by \u201cunprecedented\u201d ER closures<\/a> and staff shortages<\/a>, as well as massive measles outbreaks<\/a> and a prolonged COVID wave<\/a> across the border.<\/p>\nDoNoHarm BC and Protect Our Province BC warn of patient harm, staff shortages, and rising international risks<\/h3>\n