One of London's top doctors on why we should be wearing protective face masks - Tatler

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One of London's top doctors on why we should be wearing protective face masks – Tatler

Published

4 years ago

May 22, 2020

Harry Miller

Only a few months ago, wearing a mask in public would have raised eyebrows. It is now a sobering reminder of the extraordinary times we are living in.

There has been a lot of debate, back and forth, as to whether masks should or should not be compulsory, or indeed, is it ineffective and just providing a false sense of security?

The most effective way to avoid transmission is from hand washing and social distancing. The added advantage of a mask is to mitigate the spread of the virus from an infected individual. In terms of preventing you from catching it, the evidence is sketchy at best, and depends on a number of variables. There is also a chance that the airborne virus can transmit though eyes, so should we be wearing goggles as well as masks? I think most people would draw the line there.

One of London’s best private doctors offers his advice for coronavirus immunity boosting

Fine droplets invisible to the eye are produced when sneezing, coughing and even speaking. Simply saying ‘stay safe’” could project airborne droplets containing the virus. Some of the finer particles (known as aerosol, for example, from an infective cough) can be suspended in the air for up to 3 hours. However, this is unlikely to be the common mode of transmission and is most likely a risk to health professionals who have a higher proportion of exposure. Hence the need for them to wear N95 masks which can protect up to 95% of aerosol fine particles.

The WHO have still remained consistent in their view. They feel masks are helpful in preventing spread if you have Covid, but is not sufficiently protective.

The key issue, is that up to 20% of people (possibly more) who have Covid-19 will not exhibit symptoms, and for those who contract the illness, there is an asymptomatic incubation period of up to 14 days (on average this is closer to 5 days). So ideally, everybody should be wearing masks, which is what the likes of Germany, Czech Republic and Turkey have agreed upon.

However, it is never straight forward. There are different types of masks, with different levels of protection. The most effective, N95 masks, should quite rightly be reserved for the frontline health workers and those caring for the vulnerable. There is undoubtedly a stock issue, which may be in part why the government has not made wearing masks compulsory. Surgical masks and cloth masks will have some benefit, and would be a good option for the public.

The other major issue is that people do not know how to put on, adjust or dispose of the masks. This could lead to increased transmission, due to inadvertently touching your face and spreading the virus, which would be counterproductive. This is a big issue, even NHS staff are given lessons on how to fit an N95 mask correctly, as it is surprisingly easy to get wrong.

The mask should be put on and taken off only after hand-washing (with soap and water – the soap actually breaks down the virus’ protective shell). There should be an effective seal at the bridge of the nose and under the chin. The mask should be removed from behind, taking care not to touch the front of the mask. If it is reusable, you can wash it with detergent at 60 degrees Celsius.

‘We are all in this together’ and should work to help prevent spread in the community, especially to those who are vulnerable and at risk. For this reason, I feel that correctly worn masks, which are not touched or adjusted during the time they are worn, could confer benefits to the community as a whole.

Written by Dr Tim Lebens, a private GP in Central London, with a subspecialty in health optimisation and latest advances in medicine. www.drlebens.com

One of London’s top doctors on how to manage mild coronavirus cases at home

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Health

April 22nd to 30th is Immunization Awareness Week – Oldies 107.7

Published

54 mins ago

April 24, 2024

Harry Miller

<!–April 22nd to 30th is Immunization Awareness Week | Oldies 107.7

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AHS confirms case of measles in Edmonton – CityNews Edmonton

Published

2 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Harry Miller

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has confirmed a case of measles in Edmonton, and is advising the public that the individual was out in public while infectious.

Measles is an extremely contagious disease that is spread easily through the air, and can only be prevented through immunization.

AHS says individuals who were in the following locations during the specified dates and times, may have been exposed to measles.

April 16
- Edmonton International Airport, international arrivals and baggage claim area — between 3:20 p.m. and 6 p.m.
April 20
- Stollery Children’s Hospital Emergency Department — between 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
April 22
- 66^th Medical Clinic (13635 66 St NW Edmonton) — between 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Pharmacy 66 (13637 66 St NW Edmonton) — between 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
April 23
- Stollery Children’s Hospital Emergency Department — between 4:40 a.m. to 9:33 a.m.

AHS says anyone who attended those locations during those times is at risk of developing measles if they’ve not had two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine.

Those who have not had two doses, who are pregnant, under one year of age, or have a weakened immune system are at greatest risk of getting measles and should contact Health Link at 1-877-720-0707.

Symptoms

Symptoms of measles include a fever of 38.3° C or higher, cough, runny nose, and/or red eyes, a red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down the body and then to the arms and legs.

If you have any of these symptoms stay home and call Health Link.

In Alberta, measles vaccine is offered, free of charge, through Alberta’s publicly funded immunization program. Children in Alberta typically receive their first dose of measles vaccine at 12 months of age, and their second dose at 18 months of age.

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U.S. tightens rules for dairy cows a day after bird flu virus fragments found in pasteurized milk samples – Toronto Star

Published

3 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Harry Miller

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Infected cows were already prohibited from being transported out of state, but that was based on the physical characteristics of the milk, which looks curdled when a cow is infected, or a cow has decreased lactation or low appetite, both symptoms of infection.

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