Sly says it’s time for health and safety professionals to implement masking policies once again in the workplace. He points to workplace psychology arguing there is a tendency among workers to not want to appear weak, suggesting people will be reluctant to put one on. “But if it becomes a policy, then all those people say oh, big sigh of relief, now I can put it on without feeling like an idiot,” says Sly.
He also encourages employers to provide masks to their employees, and says ideally, they should hand out the N95 respirators. “With an N95, you’re cutting your risk way down…to a factor of one tenth of what it was before,” says Sly, who recognizes there is a cost attached to the specialized masks, but argues it is well worth it.
“It’s even more sensible when the employer begins to realize you’ve cut your absentee rate by half, or down to a third of what it was simply by people wearing a mask. And that’s a tangible benefit right there.”
In addition to masking policies, Sly also points to the vaccination shot as another preventative measure to reduce the spread. Many workplaces mandated vaccinations and it became one of the most controversial topics during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sly says the shots are another tool to reduce the risk of infection and suggests most people should be on their fourth or fifth boosters, “if you have the chance to get it, get it, they do work, they reduce your risk.” He describes the combination of masking and vaccination as having a layering effect, but notes nothing provides 100 per cent immunity.
