Covid 19 Vaccine

[ChemGal]

Except that it appears that oxygen saturation is decreased by, maybe 1 or 2% by wearing a mask. If 1 or 2% is going to cause you problems, maybe someone else should shop for you.

not sure what this comment is about.

 

[BetteTheRed]

I think the current evidence is way too limited to say hey if you has asthma, wearing a mask yourself is really helping you.

This one. Wearing a mask, soon, will be optional. If I were an asthmatic with a cold or flu who needed to buy some groceries to eat, I would wear a mask, even if it's a tiny bit harder to breathe...

 

[ChemGal]

This one. Wearing a mask, soon, will be optional. If I were an asthmatic with a cold or flu who needed to buy some groceries to eat, I would wear a mask, even if it's a tiny bit harder to breathe...

It's not just groceries. It's getting out to have PFTs done for monitoring. It's getting to the hospital during an emergency, etc.
And I'm not saying those with respiratory conditions aren't wearing masks - I have multiple and I wear masks. I don't think me wearing one when few others will be is going to do much.
I think we should continue to encourage masks - especially of the types who 'never get sick' in certain situations as they are actually more likely to be the carriers of illnesses that affect those who are vulnerable.

 

[Northwind]

Oh wow, they aren't given out medical masks here. I haven't purchased any medical ones either.
I wonder if the problem there is it's too difficult to tell if it's medical or not? I think many people are unaware.

Last time I was at the hospital I just wore my cloth masks (good fit) and put the disposable one provided on over top. Prior I was using my disposables and letting them know they were knew, but the last time I felt like risk was higher so wanted that good fit.

BC has mandated that you wear medical masks in health centres. The ones I have a perfectly acceptable in Nanaimo, especially when I say it is fresh and I only put it on as I was walking in. I would understand them asking you to remove your cloth mask or replacing a visibly dirty mask. Making you throw out a perfectly fine mask is wasteful. It wasn't a good start to my visit to the hospital

 

[ChemGal]

BC has mandated that you wear medical masks in health centres. The ones I have a perfectly acceptable in Nanaimo, especially when I say it is fresh and I only put it on as I was walking in. I would understand them asking you to remove your cloth mask or replacing a visibly dirty mask. Making you throw out a perfectly fine mask is wasteful. It wasn't a good start to my visit to the hospital

How do they know if it's a medical mask though? That part could be tricky.
I agree wasteful, AB doesn't have any rules like thst in hospitals.

 

[Northwind]

How do they know if it's a medical mask though? That part could be tricky.
I agree wasteful, AB doesn't have any rules like thst in hospitals.

The standard blue on one side, white on the other is what they want. It's not at all tricky or fancy.

 

[ChemGal]

The standard blue on one side, white on the other is what they want. It's not at all tricky or fancy.


View attachment 5198

Many of those aren't actually medical masks. We have 2 different boxes here, neither medical. The ones given out in the hospitals here are not medical either. Ditto for the ones given out by the AB government and distributed via drivethru. Unless someone has the packaging info, it's too difficult to tell if it meets medical standards.

 

[ChemGal]

Ie. These make it obvious. Often times the non medical disclaimer is small.

 

[Mrs.Anteater]

BC has mandated that you wear medical masks in health centres. The ones I have a perfectly acceptable in Nanaimo, especially when I say it is fresh and I only put it on as I was walking in. I would understand them asking you to remove your cloth mask or replacing a visibly dirty mask. Making you throw out a perfectly fine mask is wasteful. It wasn't a good start to my visit to the hospital

Why would you throw out your mask? Just bag it and use it in the grocery store.

 

[Luce NDs]

Why would you throw out your mask? Just bag it and use it in the grocery store.

Disposal mentality ... and surely that was disposed in a quick rush! Emotions are like that ...

 

[Northwind]

Many of those aren't actually medical masks. We have 2 different boxes here, neither medical. The ones given out in the hospitals here are not medical either. Ditto for the ones given out by the AB government and distributed via drivethru. Unless someone has the packaging info, it's too difficult to tell if it meets medical standards.

I may have used the wrong language. They want people to wear the masks that are used in medical settings. The masks that are generally blue and white with three layers. I feel the Nanaimo hospital has a better policy and seem to be able to recognize what works for the purpose.

Why would you throw out your mask? Just bag it and use it in the grocery store.

That would have been a better option. It didn't occur to me at that point, partly because the woman pointed to the bin and directed me to throw it there. I suspect that keeping it for later wasn't an option.

 

[KayTheCurler]

Saving your own mask to re use isn't an option at my local health care places. Take off your mask and toss it in the bin! I now wear an old mask to enter so I don't waste quite so many.

 

[Mendalla]

Apparently, Ontario is throwing 2nd dose open to all eligible on Monday. So, basically, if you received a first dose the appropriate number of weeks ago (28 for mRNA, forget for AZ), you will be able to rebook a second dose appointment. London is on its own system so not sure how that will play out here. We just opened up to people who got their first dose May 30 and earlier.

 

[Northwind]

Saving your own mask to re use isn't an option at my local health care places. Take off your mask and toss it in the bin! I now wear an old mask to enter so I don't waste quite so many.

Yes, had I known, I would have worn a cloth mask in. I would have put the mask in my bag and would have accepted their mask.

 

[Mendalla]

BTW, current stats in Ontario are 76.9% have at least one dose, 30.9% with both doses. That first number has slowed quite a bit, though, so I am bit worried that we won't get it much higher without some major effort. Those are percentage of eligible population, so 11 and under, who don't have an approved vaccine yet, are not affecting the percentages.

 

[Mendalla]

Yes, had I known, I would have worn a cloth mask in. I would have put the mask in my bag and would have accepted their mask.

Interesting. My lab was fine with my medical mask (I get them from work since we are in healthcare) and didn't insist on using one of theirs. In fact, I didn't see that they were caring much as long as you had a mask.

 

[Northwind]

Interesting. My lab was fine with my medical mask (I get them from work since we are in healthcare) and didn't insist on using one of theirs. In fact, I didn't see that they were caring much as long as you had a mask.

BC mandates the use of disposable medical masks in health settings. The Nanaimo hospital and related services is fine with people bringing their own. I got some because if the air quality (for lack of better language right now) requires the use of a mask, I don't want to stand in that air breathing it in while I swap masks.

 

[ChemGal]

You're saying they mandate medical masks again, do they need to be regulated masks or not?

Typically the masks used in healthcare settings ie. What was mostly seen prior to 2020 were proper medical masks. I think even the masks patients would be asked to wear with flu symptoms were medical although hard to verify that now.

Alberta doesn't want people entering the hospital using medical ones on entry, they want those to be available for when necessary. They do want people wearing new disposable masks, some of the policy on that varies a bit. I have found the in patient section to be more strict than the outpatient only building.

I have never been forced to take off a mask though, double masking is allowed.

I know some patients were complaining as they normally use masks that are regulated all the time in hospital and were being asked to switch, some of those had the valve though. I'm not sure how many tried the double masking and it was a Canadian group, not Albertan, although Albertans were the first to mention it.

 

[ChemGal]

Interesting. My lab was fine with my medical mask (I get them from work since we are in healthcare) and didn't insist on using one of theirs. In fact, I didn't see that they were caring much as long as you had a mask.

Hospital lab? I find it's the hospitals with the new disposable mask policy. I only went to a dynalife once during this, the patients had all types of masks. Ditto for all the clinics outside of hospital that Ive been to.

 

[Northwind]

You're saying they mandate medical masks again, do they need to be regulated masks or not?

As I have said several times now. BC does mandate the use of medical masks in health facilities. Here is the specific information with more details in the link Medical masks now mandatory

I have been actively involved with Island Health since February 2019. They have responded well to the different regulations that have come down. Admirably in many cases when rules seemed to be changing regularly. Island Health lets people wear their own medical/disposable masks and the staff seems to be able to discern when they need to give someone. Replacement mask. Clearly they do things differently in Vernon. I disagree with their process. I also complied because it is their facility and their interpretation of the rules. It wasn't though a good start to my time there.

Alberta doesn't want people entering the hospital using medical ones on entry, they want those to be available for when necessary. They do want people wearing new disposable masks, some of the policy on that varies a bit. I have found the in patient section to be more strict than the outpatient only building.

You are in Alberta. It is different there and has no bearing on what BC chooses to do

I have never been forced to take off a mask though, double masking is allowed.

Well, you're in Alberta which has different rules.

I know some patients were complaining as they normally use masks that are regulated all the time in hospital and were being asked to switch, some of those had the valve though. I'm not sure how many tried the double masking and it was a Canadian group, not Albertan, although Albertans were the first to mention it.

I have not seen the masks with vents for some time. I have never and will never wear one where a mask is required for infection control.

I don't know why this is such a big deal to you. Are you criticizing Island Health for their process? Are you criticizing BC for their guidelines when they are different from BC? Are you criticizing me? I'm not really interested in continuing to beat this one to death.