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SARS-CoV-2 Avoidance
Last edited 15 Sep 2022
Here we look at how people in UK countries can reduce the spread of viruses by looking at best practise in other countries.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
We note Deaths/1M population looked at on 04 Feb 2020 associated with COVID-19 (the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus) is higher in the UK than it should have been.
UK 2,304
Austria 1,559
Germany 1,414
We assume the method for calculating deaths is roughly similar for each country looked at.
Over UK's population of 68.2 Million arguably (2,304 - 1,414) x 68.2 or 60,698 people might not have died had better practises been adopted.
Respirators are available in Europe as FFP ("filtering face piece) masks Standard EN 149. There are categories depending on filter performance of particles > 0.3 μm: FFP2 (> 94%) and FFP3 (> 99%). FFP2/3 masks are intended to protect the carrier from the inhalation of airborne particles.
The FFP2/3 testing procedure requires also a maximal level of microbial contaminated air leaking through a respirator. This is the reason why they require fit-testing to ensure a tight seal around the user’s face.
Of importance, the use of expiratory valves are forbidden in the COVID-19 setting, as they do not protect others.
Euro FFP2 masks are similar to US N95 & Chinese KN95.
KN95 are self certified by the manufacturer whereas the European and US have centralised test facilities.
https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/upgrading-ppe-for-staff-working-on-covid-19-wards-cut-hospital-acquired-infections-dramatically
Upgrading PPE for staff working on COVID-19 wards cut hospital-acquired infections dramatically
https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1663
Covid-19: Upgrading to FFP3 respirators cuts infection risk
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/29/cambridge-hospitals-mask-upgrade-appears-to-eliminate-covid-19-risk-to-staff
Cambridge hospital’s mask upgrade appears to eliminate Covid risk to staff
Hospital infection study shows use of FFP3 respirators at Addenbrooke’s ‘may have cut ward-based infection to zero’
https://aricjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13756-020-00763-0
Tries to make a case for using Surgical masks against virus spread even though they are less efficient.
"reported better protection against MERS, SARS and COVID-19 in studies using FFP2 (96% protection rate) compared to surgical masks (77% protection rate)"
It seems logical when concerned about aerosols that a well fitting better layered respirator would beat a loose fitted thin surgical mask.
May 2020 Southmead Hospital
Doctor’s scathing criticism of PPE guidance that has put NHS staff at risk
"It’s expedient for Public Health England to say that all you need is a surgical mask and a flimsy plastic apron. But the consequence is that more than half of us got Covid and it’s the same across the hospital"
"A senior doctor at Southmead Hospital has said the personal protective equipment (PPE) most staff have been wearing while treating Covid-19 patients has been inadequate, which has led to many staff being ill and some being hospitalised"
2020-2022 UK. Use 'face coverings' sometimes. UK Government advise citizens that face coverings don't protect them from virus.
2020-2022 Bavaria, Germany
Sep 2021 Uniklinikum Salzburg. Landeskrankenhaus (Hospital in Salzburg, Austria). Doctors and nurses wear FFP2 respirators on non COVID-19 wards. Tight control of who enters hospital, Only one visitor per patient.
Sep 2021 Southmead Hospital. Surgical masks handed out to visitors. Medical and other staff wearing surgical masks on non COV-19 areas.
Nov 2021 Bavaria. Admission to McDonalds and most stores & eateries by showing vaccination certificate dates and wearing FFP2/3 mask. Entry to museum (BMW-Welt) additionally needed recent SARS-CoV-2 test (a Lateral Flow Test station was by the entrance). On railway platform above ground (S-Bahn) railway safety patrols inform anyone wearing a surgical mask to put on an FFP2 mask instead. Spot checks on S-Bahn of vaccination certificates.
Jan 2022: Singen Hospital, Germany. Husband cannot visit patient/wife although they can meet in hospital gardens outdoors.