UPMC Will Require Masks Starting December 20th
Flu season is here, and Pittsburgh has announced its principal defense: mandatory face masks. On December 20th, UPMC will require all staff and visitors to don face coverings. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence that you can’t prevent viral transmission with masks designed to reduce particulate ingestion.
However, when it comes to public health, doubling down on past failures is the general strategy. This couldn’t be better illustrated than the EPA’s response by its scientists that fluoride in public water supplies is dangerous, shortly followed by EPA leadership doubling the recommended dosage allowed by water authorities.
UPMC isn’t placing the blame only on COVID this time. They are now citing a trio of bugs: COVID, RSV, and the various strains of the flu. Last August, when Kaiser Permenenti reinstated their mask mandate, the hospital system reversed course in 48 hours as pushbacks and non-compliance put pressure on the administration to act sensiblily and let people make their own choice regarding masks.
UPMC staff should inform their administration that only a respirator can limit viral spread and even then ones eyes, if not covered, may allow infection if not sealed out from the air. Below is a P100 style respirator that when fitted by an OSHA certified industrial hygienist and paired with sealed eye ware will help prevent infection. However, if the subject has facial hair of any length this equipment can not be use.
In related news, the three schools in the Charleroi School District in Washington, Co., will go remote tomorrow, December 15th, as they have observed a rise in flu cases.