Reducing transmission of COVID19. Step 1

Public Health England have released new guidance which will be very reassuring to healthcare/key workers and the public. Everyone has been concerned about the availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Due to amazing effort, more has become available and the supply lines have become safer, and so the guidance has rightly changed. PPE kit should be worn (if appropriate) for sessions rather than changed between patients and face masks should be used much more widely for example on wards, not just in higher risk areas. Also importantly, that patients should consider wearing them if tolerated. The guidance goes wider and starts to talk about the community as well.

This makes sense (if PPE works in ITU it should work elsewhere) and is supported by more evidence on the transmission of COVID19 which is blown out in clouds.

We will need every measure to reduce transmission to get COVID19 under control. These habits need to become engrained in our global cuture. Some cultural habits probably have their roots in public health. For esample, Middle Eastern avoidance of pork (due to parasites) and the hands in prayer greeting of India. Face masks will for a while at least become normal.

Namaste.