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Today @CDCgov published a well intended report that restates something we have known for a while: mask fit and filtration matter
. I want to comment on the meaning of this report for healthcare facilites @SHEA_Epi 1/5 https://twitter.com/CDCgov/status/1359536382180544517
. I want to comment on the meaning of this report for healthcare facilites @SHEA_Epi 1/5 https://twitter.com/CDCgov/status/1359536382180544517
Real world data 
has shown that healthcare workers wearing medical grade masks do not transmit COVID-19 to patients even if actively infectious 
. These findings show that medical masks used in real world conditions are effective as source control. https://bit.ly/2Z5e7sS 2/5
has shown that healthcare workers wearing medical grade masks do not transmit COVID-19 to patients even if actively infectious . These findings show that medical masks used in real world conditions are effective as source control. https://bit.ly/2Z5e7sS 2/5
Another important aspect is that healthcare workers are now vaccinated
. Even with current standard utilization of medical grade masks (one mask, no loop twisting), healthcare worker infections plummet after vaccination implementation.
https://twitter.com/ICHEJournal/status/1359552207960629260?s=20 3/5
. Even with current standard utilization of medical grade masks (one mask, no loop twisting), healthcare worker infections plummet after vaccination implementation.https://twitter.com/ICHEJournal/status/1359552207960629260?s=20 3/5
We must remember that masks are not used in laboratory conditions but in the real world. In hospitals, we have a number of infection controls in place (e.g., increased air exchanges) that make us less dependent on having ~100% effective masks (an unrealistic goal in practice).4/5
In summary, these recommendations are most applicable in the community where most of the population remains unvaccinated and where environmental conditions can't be controlled. The public should be informed of simple ways to improve fit and filtration: every little step helps 5/5
