Those are pretty strong words…from The United States' top doctor, US Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams. His message, posted to Twitter, was a response to face mask shortages as people stocked up due to coronavirus concerns. He goes on to say they are NOT effective in preventing the general public from catching coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk.
In the video, Lance Williamson, an infection prevention nurse with The University of Kansas Health System explains the reasoning behind the Surgeon General’s plea. He says people have the wrong idea about what masks are for. He says they are not designed to prevent people from getting a disease, rather they are meant to keep those who are infected from spreading the illness and are not recommended for the general public. Williamson explains that too many people needlessly buying masks may keep those who are actually sick from getting them. He also goes on to explain how hospital workers have special protection when caring for patients who may be infected with the coronavirus. He shows the various kinds of positive airflow devices available, especially when caring for a patient who might be in an isolation room. He demonstrates how the equipment works, and takes us inside a negative airflow room where a coronavirus patient would be treated.
