The Pandemic is not over. Healthcare IPC protocols based on debunked droplet dogma are flawed & dangerous

This in today's Irish Independent👇

It's a very high bar to get a piece placed in the MSM that challenges the false political narrative that SARS2 is over/"mild". Every word I wrote had to be substantiated and cross checked with multiple credible sources. These are not my opinions, they are facts. 

https://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/tess-finch-lees-the-covid-pandemic-isnt-fully-over-and-weve-been-too-quick-to-ignore-the-continuing-risks/a1934457132.html

Extracts:

"Attempts to secure Sars-Cov-2 protections are invariably met with “The guidance says we don’t have to mask” and “Covid is over”. Wrong. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an end to the emergency phase. The pandemic is not over.

I read the HPSC infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance and, contrary to what has been reported, the guidance does not advise blanket removal of masks. Each healthcare provider is required to conduct regular risk assessments, and on that basis make decisions about whether mask mandates can safely be lifted".

And:

"The IPC guidance appears fundamentally flawed. It’s based on the debunked droplet dogma, sidelining the scientific consensus that Sars-Cov-2 is predominantly airborne.

And:

"The IPC guidance links to the EC directive on the protection of workers from risks of exposure to biological agents. Sars-Cov-2 is classified as a group 3 biohazard. It requires specific and stringent rights and obligations to be adhered to in the prevention and protection of the health and safety of workers exposed to Sars-Cov-2, including an up-to-date risk assessment.

Have healthcare staff been informed of the British Heart Foundation report attributing almost 100,000 excess cardiovascular-related deaths (including strokes) to Covid-19 and Long-Covid directly and indirectly through putting pressure on healthcare? Or The Lancet study showing Covid-19 increases the risk of psychosis and dementia, and even “mild” cases can shrink the brain, having the impact of a decade of ageing?"

I always try to squeeze too much in to my articles. Invariably, space restrictions means something gets cut. Here's my original ending of the piece👇

A GP friend recently described her child’s covid infection as “mild”. Me: “Have you considered counselling”? Friend: “What for”? Me: Trauma. She had repressed the memory that her child nearly died from covid. I’m concerned that misinforming medics that SARS-C0V-2 is benign, is exploiting their trauma. I don’t believe they would harm themselves, their families and patients if they knew how dangerous it is. There’s a 10% risk of Long-Covid after an Omicron infection rising to 20% on reinfection. Healthcare workers are at greater risk,

Everyone, especially immunocompromised, vulnerable citizens, like Mary, has a right to safe healthcare. During an ongoing airborne pandemic, that requires reinstating mask mandates and cleaning the air in healthcare. Public health policies and messaging must be anchored in science, not politics.

Huge thanks to my incredible editor, Tom Coogan. Kudos to the Independent ie for running it at a time when there's pretty much a SARS-CoV-2 media blackout worldwide right now.