Notices by WHN (whn@forall.social)

Kids' Zone Issue 10 is here! Check out the new Masking in Medical Settings edition. Download it free at https://whn.global/kidszone/.

Five years ago today, the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Since then, much of the world has moved on—but COVID hasn’t disappeared.

People are still getting sick, hospitals still see surges, and Long COVID continues to disrupt lives. The good news? We still have the power to protect ourselves and our communities.

Read our latest blog on why prevention still matters: https://whn.global/five-years-since-covid-was-declared-a-pandemic/

#COVID19 #LongCOVID #PublicHealth #MaskUp #CleanAir

Wearing a mask is important for everyone, not just those at high risk. Masks help prevent the spread of viruses, protecting not only your health but also the community. This includes vulnerable individuals you may unknowingly infect.

Additionally, wearing a mask can help avoid complications like Long COVID and the associated emotional and financial burdens of being sick. It's a simple precaution that benefits all.

The World Health Network (WHN) strongly opposes mask bans. Masking remains a critical tool in protecting individuals and communities from airborne threats, including SARS-CoV-2. Let’s prioritize safety and responsibility.

Read our full statement: https://whn.global/whn-statement-on-mask-bans-in-the-context-of-the-summer-wave/

#Masking #MaskUp #MaskBan #COVID19 #LongCOVID #PublicHealth #InfectionPrevention #YallMasking

What do the experts say about the current infection control measures implemented in healthcare settings (or lack thereof)?

Dr. David Berger joins us in our latest broadcast to discuss just that.

We hope you are all planning to attend HICPAC’s November 2-3 meeting, and instructions for submitting a written comment are included at this link.

Comments submitted between November 1-6 will be included in the public record.
https://whn.global/sign-up-november-hicpac-meeting/

WHN filed a Gross Misconduct complaint with HHS over HICPAC’s violation of the Federal Advisory Committees Act. Complaint alleges the composition of HICPAC’s membership and its failure to be transparent violates FACA guidelines.

Details in the thread https://forall.social/@whn/111327564445056219

It's critical that patients & HCWs are properly protected from infections in healthcare facilities; as of now HICPAC & CDC have given no indication that they understand airborne transmission or plan to incorporate proper airborne infection control in their guidelines.

This is a critical week for ensuring the voices of the public, healthcare workers, aerosol experts, and patients are heard.

HICPAC needs to hear from us that we will not accept a new status quo of constantly risking COVID infection while seeking medical care.

Today in Forbes: Dr. Judy Stone covers the complaint WHN filed with HHS Office of the Inspector General for the failure of HICPAC to follow the laws about advisory committees (FACA) and their own Charter.

This comes just ahead of their Nov 2-3 meeting.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/judystone/2023/11/01/a-storm-is-gathering-around-a-cdc-committee/?sh=479b2dae60b2

HICPAC has ignored input from critical voices like aerosol experts, HCWs and patients. Our sign on letter received over 750 signatures from individuals and organizations, including the 5-million-member World Federation of Public Health Associations.
https://whn.global/november-2023-letter-to-hicpac-members/

The complaint alleges gross misconduct by HHS Secretary Becerra, CDC Director Cohen, and HICPAC's Federal Officer Kallen related to the composition of HICPAC, which doesn’t have a “fairly balanced membership” undermining the legal standing of its advice on infections and safety.

Additionally, 65 doctors across 10 countries worked together under the WHN umbrella to craft and sign the below statement, demanding proper airborne infection control protocols in healthcare:
https://whn.global/concerned-physicians-letter-to-hicpac/

We are pleased to see that 60 Minutes will be covering the science of COVID spread, and explaining how aerosol transmission works and how it differs from droplet spread.

This is critical information that the American public should’ve had years ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0kbW5VMI74

Today, the legacy of that inaccurate information is still with us, as many in the public still do not know that N95 respirators are more effective than surgical masks, or that 6 ft distance from an infected individual doesn’t make you safe.

The WHO and other health bodies’ decision to declare COVID as being droplet spread despite ongoing debate and lack of evidence cost potentially millions of lives.

It made controlling the virus in the early days impossible, and led to improper mitigation techniques.

Even many of our healthcare institutions and workers continue to promote outdated or incorrect science, pushing surgical masks for an airborne virus, when only N-95 respirators are highly effective.

Sunday’s program comes just ahead of this week’s HICPAC meeting, where the infection prevention advisory body to the CDC will continue its discussions about infection prevention in hospitals.

It’s important they hear from us.
Learn more at this link.
https://whn.global/sign-up-november-hicpac-meeting/