McMaster University researchers say medical masks are good enough in rural shortfall

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McMaster University researchers say common medical masks are safe for treatment COVID-19 Patients and higher levels of protection need to be reserved for invasive procedures such as respiratory tract insertion.

A preliminary investigation will be conducted when Ontario warns that only one week of supply remains. Personal protective equipment (PPE)-A particularly snug-fit N95 mask that blocks 95% of the particles in the air.

At the same time, the Canadian Chief Public Health Officer suggests wearing homemade masks when going out and being physically unable to leave-unconsciousness before public symptoms, such as in public transport or grocery stores. To be infected for 48 hours. Develop.

“While wearing non-medical masks in the community has not been proven to protect those who wear them,” said Dr. Teresatam. “This is an extra way to protect others.”

Such masks can be made of cotton shirts, sheets, or bandanas and rubber. However, Hamilton’s Chief Medical Officer for Health emphasizes that it must not be used by the general public. Medical mask Necessities are lacking.

“These are so much needed by our healthcare professionals,” said Dr. Elizabeth Richardson.

In fact, the city is asking for donations of personal protective equipment, such as Nation’s Fresh Food and 10,000 masks received from the Hamilton Chinese Business Association. Contact 905-546-2424, to donate an extension. 2257, or [email protected].

“We are able to supply supplies in a few weeks,” said Paul Johnson, head of the city’s emergency operations center. “We really need that injection.”

Ford said that all types of PPE are in “red” Ontario. He says about 4 million masks ordered from the state are being held at the US border after President Donald Trump’s administration ordered suspension of pharmaceutical exports.

“The flow is two-way,” said Deputy Prime Minister Christia Freeland. “Continuing to support each other in health care is in the interests of both countries.”

Ford said he had been told that around 950,000 N95 masks would be released on Monday at the border, and that he was optimistic that Canada would have an immediate exception to the U.S. export ban. .

“Now purchasing medicines is very wild west,” Freeland said. “This is a global pandemic and all countries are doing their best in a really fierce competition for medical devices.”

As a result, evidence on the optimal use of PPE is significant. McMaster researchers conducted a systematic review of four randomized controlled trials to conclude that using a medical mask instead of the N95 mask did not cause any further illness.

Dr. Mark Loeb, professor of pathology and molecular medicine at McMaster, said, “ Loose-fit medical masks are available to protect healthcare workers from viral respiratory infections during routine care during a pandemic. There is no compelling evidence that it is inferior to ventilators, “said a doctor of infections in a statement.

“But the N95 ventilator is unanimously recommended by national and international guidelines on aerosol generation procedures,” he said. “This is an important difference when COVID-19 causes a serious shortage of N95 ventilators.”

But the union Frontline workers The evidence is far from clear, and there is little reassurance in the McMaster study published April 4 in the Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Journal.

“I’m skeptical,” said Michael Hurley, president of the Ontario Hospital Coalition Council, which is part of the Canadian Civil Service Coalition. “This study is interesting, but does not significantly change our view.”

Harley argues that the state’s decision on who should get a higher level of protection was made “in the shadow of lack of equipment.”

“They are becoming more and more anxious,” he says of the workers. “They are fragile. Their infection rate is several times higher than in the general population.”

“Until science becomes clear, you should not take risks,” said Ontario Nurses Association President Vicki McKenna.

The union is also not convinced that science has shown that the virus is not in the air, despite infectious disease experts saying it is unlikely.

“The transmission of COVID-19 has not been fully elucidated, but it is thought to propagate primarily through respiratory droplets, and medical masks provide barrier protection for it,” said Loeb. Was.

However, McMaster acknowledges that the question has not been fully answered and has begun a new study to raise $ 300,000 from a $ 3.3 million donation from Hamilton’s philanthropists Charles and Margaret Julavinski.

Randomized studies show that nurses use either medical masks or N95 masks to provide care to specific patients.

“This study is important to ensure proper use of personal protective equipment during this time, and to ensure the development of future infections,” said Loeb.