This editorial does not compare like with like and is emblematic of a weak safety culture
The authors cite in detail the Chinese studies showing lack of transmission to HCWs with adequate PPE in China and then conclude that the surgical mask advice from the WHO is entirely adequate. However, PPE standards in China are far higher than the WHO recommendations, encompassing N95 masks for all COVID patients and full body suits:
Infection control for HCWs should be based on a precautionary principe and not a minimalist one. The safety culture in medicine is unacceptably weak and this editorial does nothing to strengthen it.
Rapid Response:
This editorial does not compare like with like and is emblematic of a weak safety culture
The authors cite in detail the Chinese studies showing lack of transmission to HCWs with adequate PPE in China and then conclude that the surgical mask advice from the WHO is entirely adequate. However, PPE standards in China are far higher than the WHO recommendations, encompassing N95 masks for all COVID patients and full body suits:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/86e716y86saeppd/COVID-19%20Outbreak%20Hospital...
They are not comparing like with like.
Infection control for HCWs should be based on a precautionary principe and not a minimalist one. The safety culture in medicine is unacceptably weak and this editorial does nothing to strengthen it.
https://medium.com/@daveberger_76708/covid-19-has-exposed-the-weak-safety-culture-in-medicine-db1d76c1d240
Competing interests: No competing interests