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COVID is AIRBORNE

Canadian Experts Share Their Recommendations

The SARS-CoV2 virus is in the air — at close range and further away.

This clear science can no longer be denied.

Occupational health specialists and others from Canada and around the world have delivered this message since the pandemic began.

FOURTH ANNIVERSARY

RAISING OUR VOICES ABOUT COVID IN CANADA

It was four years ago – March 11, 2020 – when the world health organisation (WHO) declared the "novel coronavirus"
disease, COVID-19, a pandemic.

FEATURING:


The Back and Forth of Modelling
Dr. Tara Moriarity (University of Toronto and COVID-19 Resources Canada)
Dr. Gosia Gasperowicz (University of Calgary)

 

National Opportunities to Make a Difference
Alec Farquhar   |   Dr. Simon Smith  |   Dr. Joe Vipond
 

Snapshots from the Grassroots
 

How Do We Make More Progress?

NEW & NOTEABLE

MASKS & RESPIRATORS

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MASKS WORK!

Distorting science to dispute evidence doesn’t 

The title says it all.
Written by three Albertans associated with the Coalition, for Scientific American.

 

May 5, 2023

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MEETING AN URGENT NEED

A new respirator performance standard for Canada

Canadians now have their own respirator certification processes, writes the Coalition’s favourite respirator guy,
Simon Smith.

(Thanks to the American Industrial Hygiene Association for permission to share this, from The Synergist, November, 2023.)

Woman with a Face Mask

MASKING AKINESIA

Colin Furness, an epidemiologist and Coalition member, muses about “the inability to initiate the activity of having a mask or donning it” and what’s “normal” when it comes to wearing masks and respirators..

A response to the Review of the Federal Approach to Pandemic Science Advice and Research Coordination

The Coalition’s submission – with sign-ons by a range of specialists – to Health Canada’s review of the federal approach to pandemic science and research. We highlighted aerosol and airborne transmission and asked for an extended consultation and to be included in conversations.

Sewage Treatment Plant

NATIONAL WASTEWATER NUMBERS

THE NATIONAL "DASHBOARD"
IS UPDATED TUESDAYs and FRIDAYs
AT NOON EST

ONTARIO WASTEWATER

NUMBERS

ONTARIO COVID-19 WASTEWATER NUMBERS COME OUT EVERY THURSDAY AFTERNOON

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FAILURE TO PROTECT

COVID INFECTION CONTROL POLICY PRIVILEGES POOR-QUALITY EVIDENCE

The pre-print (not yet peer reviewed) dissection of a problematic Canadian study about masks and respirators. The Coalition (and others) called it unethical and tried to stop it.

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WHY ARE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY VOICES ESSENTIAL FOR EFFECTIVE PROTECTION IN A COMPLEX PANDEMIC?

The Coalition will be making a presentation at the
2024 Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) Conference

...and others we know
(
Dr. Raymond Tellier, public health officials Dr. Tom Piggott and
Dr. Mustafa Hirji, and University of Waterloo ventilation engineer, Dr. Amy Li) are on an important panel:
 

SOMETHING IN THE AIR 
Towards a new understanding of aerosols and respiratory disease transmission

Many ways to reduce chances of getting COVID

A Coalition member’s December 21, 2023 letter to the editor at the Toronto Star points out it takes more than vaccines to avoid infection. 

COALITION ACTIVITIES

Healthcare Workers

NEED FOR REVISIONS TO THE IPC GUIDANCE TO PROTECT HEALTHCARE WORKERS FROM
COVID-19

The British Medical Association wrote this letter to the country’s National Health Service in December, 2023. The virus is airborne, they say; healthcare workers need respirators and ventilation, not guidance that ignores health and safety law.

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THE JOHN SNOW PROJECT

"IGNORING A DEADLY DISEASE DOESN'T END WELL..."

...says this international group.

Its creative videos convey the message about aerosols and prevention. And there’s more.

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LONG COVID:
GOING UPSTREAM

Coalition and PoPBC member Dr. Lyne Filiatrault and colleague Dr. Anne Bhéreur discuss how to prevent COVID-19 infection/reinfection to avoid long-term effects.

 

November  2023

Long-term outcomes following hospital admission for COVID-19 versus seasonal influenza: a cohort study

COVID-19 is worse than the flu, leading to more disability, “higher long-term risks of death and adverse health outcomes in nearly every organ system” (except respiratory - where flu takes a toll). For more about the December 14, 2023 study, see this interview.ter to the editor at the Toronto Star points out it takes more than vaccines to avoid infection. 

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ONTARIO SCHOOL SAFETY

When schools are unsafe, students, families, and communities are at risk,” says this volunteer group and Coalition ally. “We are advocating for public health policies that protect the health of the public.”

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CANADIAN EXPERIENCES WITH LONG-TERM SYMPTOMS FOLLOWING COVID-19

In December 2023, Statistics Canada said re-infections increase the odds of Long COVID. 3.5 million Canadian adults reported these long-term symptoms. Almost half have no improvements. Black Canadians are more likely to have multiple infections.

Covid 19

IT'S AIRBORNE

Ventilation engineer Joey Fox provides resources for schools, HEPA filters and air cleaners, and more.

Protect our Province (PoP) New Brunswick

This volunteer-run group of citizen scientists has made big strides in getting clean air on the provincial agenda and revealing who knew what about Long COVID.

— REPORT —
Proposals to Strengthen Canada's Pandemic Response
Discussion Feedback – Moving Forward
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PAST EVENT RESOURCES

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REALITY CHECK, MODELLING & SURVEILLANCE TO GUIDE FUTURE RESPONSES

Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW)

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VENTILATION and RISK ASSESSMENT for COVID-19 PREVENTION

Workplace Health Without Borders (WHWB), including John Oudyk, OHCOW Hygienist

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THE T-CELLS ARE NOT ALRIGHT

STUDIES / Reports 

Supported by the Coalition

NEW! 
Proposals to Strengthen Canada's Pandemic Response

Discussion Feedback

January 2023 

What were the historical reasons for the resistance to recognizing airborne transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic?*

Indoor Air (International Journal of Indoor Environment and Health)

August 2022 

Proposed Non-infectious Air Delivery Rates (NADR) for Reducing Exposure to Airborne Respiratory Infectious Diseases

The Lancet COVID-19 Commission Task Force on Safe Work, Safe School, and Safe Travel
with contributions from
CATC members


November 2022 

A Multi-national Delphi Consensus to End the COVID-19 Public Health Threat

Written by a large group of authors with contributions from
CATC members


September 2022 

*See also a PDF version of the long Twitter thread by Jose-Luis Jimenez, the lead author on the above article,

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were developed by Coalition members in tandem with the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE)

Note: You must register on the OSPE site in order to view the document

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Guidance: Face Coverings for COVID-19 Prevention

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Indoor Air Quality Checklist

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How COVID Spreads

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Core Recommendations for Safer Indoor Air

Documents

POSTERs / Infographics

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Sharing the Air in a Pandemic

Presented at the CARWH Conference in September

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Cleaning the Air – What Can  Individuals Do?

Created by Sam Hester*
*After the lead author (Joey Fox) presented at CARWH in September

Posters/Infographics

CALLS TO ACTION

 Practical Solutions Based on Public Health Fundamentals for Homes and Workplaces

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LETTERS

Making Recommendations to Government Leaders and Public Health Officials

NEW! 
Preventing COVID
in HCWs: Study Claims Medical Masks Equivalent to N95 FFRs?


January 15, 2023

Roy T. McKay, PhD.
University of C
inncinati
Occupational Pulmonary Services

Read Reply

Read 

NEW! 
Concerns About the Study by Loeb et al


Submitted to Annals of Internal Medicine*

December 2022

We All Have the Right to Clean, Respirable Air – Both Inside and Out

March 3, 2022

PRESS RELEASES

Translating Science Into Action Through Expert Recommendations

The science is clear. Scientists and others renew call on governments to recognise aerosol transmission, update guidance and enforcement

February 19, 2021

 There’s no excuse left.
We need new, stronger measures to deal with COVID-19’s airborne transmission

April 16, 2021

 Canadians need stronger, consistent protections from COVID-19! Will you commit to include the following actions in your electoral platform?

September 2, 2021

Made by Volunteer Members of the Coalition

PRESENTATIONS

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Clear the Air
(of all kinds of hazards)


March 1, 2022

John Oudyk

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Mask Smart – Protect Yourself and Others Today (and Tomorrow)

March 1, 2022

Dr. Kevin Hedges

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"Mask Smart"
What You Need to Know to Protect Yourself and Others

 

March 1, 2022

 

Simon Smith

Presentations

In THE MEDIA

Articles and Videos Supported by the Coalition

Scientists call on Canada to refocus efforts on addressing airborne spread of COVID-19

Globe and Mail

Published January 4, 2021
Updated: January 21, 2021

Experts question usefulness of masks purchased by province for Alberta students

CTV News (Edmonton)

January 2, 2022

How COVID-19 Is Airborne

TVO

January 11, 2022

affiliated organizations

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Canadian Registration Board of Occupational Hygienists

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Masks4Canada

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Protect Our Province
AB  |  BC  |  QC |  
NB 

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World Health Network

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Workplace Health Without Borders (WHWB)

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Zero COVID Canada

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Occupational Hygiene Association of Ontario (OHAO)

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COVID-STOP

Follow us on Twitter:

  • Twitter

We also recommend following our key supporters:

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Joey Fox

HVAC Engineer. P.Eng.

Contact

DIRECTORY of CANADIAN COVID-19 PREVENTION GROUPS

Compiled in March 2024, this directory is from the “Snapshots from the grassroots” portion of the Coalition’s March 11th webinar, The 4th Anniversary: Raising our voices about COVID in Canada.

Use the contact form below to let us know if we've missed anyone or anything.  

Groups come and go, since many involved are volunteers. Their use of social media may change.

Even if they aren’t very active today, their materials still may be useful, so they’ve been included.  
 

For others organizations around the world visit:

 

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