Face masks ‘inadequate’ and should be swapped for respirators, WHO is advised
Experts are urging guideline changes on what health professionals should wear to protect against flu-like illnesses including Covid
TL;DR
- Experts argue surgical face masks provide inadequate protection against airborne pathogens, including Covid-19.
- They urge the WHO to replace surgical masks with respirator-level masks (e.g., FFP2/3, N95) for healthcare workers in all patient interactions.
- Surgical masks were designed to prevent healthcare worker sneezes, not to filter airborne pathogens.
- Respirators filter significantly more airborne particles compared to surgical masks.
- The proposed change could reduce patient and healthcare worker infections, sickness, absence, and burnout.
- The authors suggest the WHO's procurement infrastructure could help increase respirator access globally.
- The WHO is reviewing its Infection Prevention and Control guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.