Blue, yellow and black graphic reading, We call on BC to: 1. Maintain healthcare mask requirements year-round. 2. Provide clear direction to all health authorities with concrete steps to consistently implement existing mask requirements. 3. Increase usage of N95-equivalent masks or better (respirators), as the only masks rated to properly protect against airborne illnesses. 4. Close gaps in coverage, including for patients, in hallways, and in private healthcare settings. Learn more and add your voice by April 1: DoNoHarmBC.ca In the upper left corner is an illustration of a person in an N95, fist raised, holding a sign that reads: Keep (and improve) masks in healthcare.

And if you haven’t already, be sure to join our campaign telling policy-makers to keep & strengthen healthcare mask requirements year round! donoharmbc.ca/masks-in-hea...

#BCHealthcare #KeepMasksInHealthcare #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal #COVIDisAirborne #CovidIsntOver #measles #H5N1

DoNoHarm BC We're a non-partisan action group of British Columbians advocating for evidence-based safety measures in high-risk settings.

Stay safe out there: ventilate, vaccinate, educate, mitigate 😷 And head to donoharmbc.ca to take action on key priorities like masks in healthcare, #Novavax access, and evidence-based Long COVID treatment and prevention!

#KeepMasksInHealthcare #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal

Masks should be mandatory in healthcare By: Yasmin Hassan, Staff Writer As of April 8, 2024, masks are “no longer required in healthcare settings” in BC. This decision comes after data showing decreased COVID-19 levels in the province. H…

Thank you to The Peak SFU for the shoutout! Check out the recent piece by staff writer Yasmin Hassan, laying out the reasons why B.C. should restore consistent mask protections in healthcare ASAP: the-peak.ca/2024/05/mask...

#VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal #CovidIsntOver #KeepMasksInHealthcare

Last chance to do this survey - it ends at midnight today, April 19th! Be sure to have your say: donoharmbc.ca/2024-my-bc/

#CovidIsntOver #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal #KeepMasksInHealthcare

BC health advocates call on government to reinstate healthcare mask requirements Independent public health groups Protect Our Province BC, DoNoHarm BC, and Masks4EastVan are calling on the BC government to restore healthcare mask requirements.

🧵 Today, @protectbc.bsky.social , @donoharmbc.bsky.social and Masks4EastVan are joining forces to call on the BC government to restore mask requirements to healthcare.

Read our full press statement here: donoharmbc.ca/bc-health-ad...

#VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal #KeepMasksInHealthcare

Contact List of BC Policy-makers - DoNoHarm BC Get contact information for key BC policy-makers in healthcare, including phone numbers, fax numbers, and mailing addresses.

We don't intend to let this go unaddressed. Please stay tuned for a fuller statement and plan of action - and in the meantime, if you have thoughts, here's a contact list for healthcare policymakers: donoharmbc.ca/contact-list/

#VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal #KeepMasksInHealthcare #MasksSaveLives

Light blue graphic with the DoNoHarm BC logo and text at the top reading, Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal. #KeepMasksInHealthcare. Add your voice today. www.DoNoHarmBC.ca. Body text reads, Email emoji: Click to email BC policy-makers. Red telephone emoji: Leave a quick phone message. Fax machine emoji: send a free fax. Mailbox emoji: Send #Postcards4PublicHealth. Megaphone emoji: Spread the word to raise awareness. Like, comment, bookmark, share.

Thank you friends! So far, you have sent 16,556 emails telling BC policymakers #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal & demanding they #KeepMasksInHealthcare! And we're not done! You can ☎️CALL, 📠FAX, & ✉️MAIL to keep up the pressure! Each only takes a few minutes: donoharmbc.ca/vulnerabilit...

Extract from a CBC article reads, BC is set to announce guidance on spring Covid vaccines, and early April, officials told CBC News, and those recommendations are expected to align with NACI’s guidance

FYI, #Covid19BC update coming early April 👀

Last fall they announced
healthcare mask changes in their vaccination briefing.

While we aimed to send #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal messages by April, we’re extending the campaign to keep the pressure up. Let’s do this! donoharmbc.ca/vulnerabilit...

Purple gradient graphic 3 of 4 from DoNoHarm BC with header reading, Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal. #KeepMasksInHealthcare. www.DoNoHarmBC.ca A quote from Lisa Sherwood (she/her) reads, Upon the MOA’s suggestion, I waited outside for my appointment. The doctor came out and suggested I would be “happier getting tested elsewhere” and an MOA deposited my belongings outside. I immediately got into my car and started phoning to determine how a mask requirement was enforced in private clinics. It became clear there was no process, and no enforcement.

Purple gradient graphic 4 of 4 from DoNoHarm BC with header reading, Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal. #KeepMasksInHealthcare. www.DoNoHarmBC.ca A quote from Lisa Sherwood (she/her) reads, A complaint to the College of Physicians was my only option. I faced months of delay and increased heart irregularities before I was able to get testing in a hospital. As such, diagnosis and treatment were delayed. It's clear that patients at private health care clinics are more susceptible to similar breaches in infection control practices for SARS-CoV-2 and other airborne illnesses.

2/2 Lisa Sherwood (she/her): "I faced months of delay and increased heart irregularities before I was able to get testing in a hospital. As such, diagnosis and treatment were delayed." #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal ❤️ donoharmbc.ca/vulnerabilit...

Purple gradient graphic 1 of 4 from DoNoHarm BC with header reading, Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal. #KeepMasksInHealthcare. www.DoNoHarmBC.ca Content warning: negligence, denial of care. A pull quote from Lisa Sherwood (she/her) reads, "When I asked the MOAs to please mask, they refused...The doctor came out and suggested I would be 'happier getting tested elsewhere'"

Purple gradient graphic 2 of 4 from DoNoHarm BC with header reading, Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal. #KeepMasksInHealthcare. www.DoNoHarmBC.ca A quote from Lisa Sherwood (she/her) reads, I was having problems with my heart in 2023 and was referred for testing to a private clinic. When I arrived, I found one medical office assistant (MOA) at the desk wearing a surgical mask under their nose, and the other MOA had their mask dangling from a single ear. When I asked the MOAs to please mask, they refused. I tried to prop the door open a little for better ventilation, but one of them told me it was too cold. The doctor was wandering around unmasked.

1/2 Lisa Sherwood (she/her); Medically high-risk patient: “[The healthcare worker] said ‘You can’t prove I gave you COVID’ and then laughed at me” #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal Let's #KeepMasksInHealthCare donoharmbc.ca/vulnerabilit...

Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal: Keep masks in BC healthcare Take action to keep and strengthen mask protections in BC healthcare year-round, not just during so-called

You can raise your voice by sending letters, emails, and faxes to #AdrianDix, Dr #BonnieHenry, #CDCofBC, your MLA, and MHOs across the province. Tell them #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal in a single-click here: donoharmbc.ca/vulnerabilit... Read on for more stories asking to #KeepMasksInHealthcare ⬇️

Aqua gradient graphic 2 of 4 from DoNoHarm BC with header reading, Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal. #KeepMasksInHealthcare. www.DoNoHarmBC.ca. A quote from Hannah Wilson (she/her) reads, Nearly two years ago, I joined BC Women's Centre for Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis. After the removal of masks in 2023, I put in a disability accommodation request for staff providing my care to wear KN95 masks or better. BC Women's refused and created a care plan without my input, which had no masking for staff and would require me to stand waiting outside. I cannot do this due to my disability.

Aqua gradient graphic 3 of 4 from DoNoHarm BC with header reading, Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal. #KeepMasksInHealthcare. www.DoNoHarmBC.ca. A quote from Hannah Wilson (she/her) reads, They said if I didn't like it, I could "go elsewhere". I filed a complaint with the hospital. They stated they were simply "following orders" by doing the minimum required by the Provincial Health Officer at the time. I was told it wasn't necessary to use respirators, because the facility didn't perform "aerosol generating" medical procedures – even though staff generate aerosols by simply breathing on patients.

2/2 Hannah Wilson (she/her): “
@BCWomensHosp
Centre for Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis… refused to wear KN95 masks. They said if I didn't like it, I could ‘go elsewhere’” #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal donoharmbc.ca/first-person...

Aqua gradient graphic featuring a young white woman with red hair, wearing a KN95 mask and a grey sweater, holding a sign reading, Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal. Keep N95 masks in healthcare. A pull quote from Hannah (she/her) reads, "I still can't see my doctor for lifesaving care"

Aqua gradient graphic 1 of 4 from DoNoHarm BC with header reading, Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal. #KeepMasksInHealthcare. www.DoNoHarmBC.ca Content Warning: denial of care. A quote from Hannah Wilson (she/her) reads, Due to multiple chronic illnesses (including a post-viral illness triggered by the flu), I’m at higher risk from COVID-19 and other airborne diseases. After the removal of healthcare masking - and now, oscillating mask requirements tied to so-called “respiratory season” - I haven’t been able to safely access regular, necessary medical care.

1/2 Hannah Wilson (she/her); Social services worker and community organizer: “After over 6 months… I still can’t see my doctor for lifesaving care” #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal donoharmbc.ca/first-person...

Blue gradient graphic 1 of 4 from DoNoHarm BC with header reading, Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal. #KeepMasksInHealthcare. www.DoNoHarmBC.ca Content warning: bereavement. A pull quote from Maria Brink (she/they) reads, "My grandmother died from a healthcare-acquired infection"

Blue gradient graphic 2 of 4 from DoNoHarm BC with header reading, Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal. #KeepMasksInHealthcare. www.DoNoHarmBC.ca A quote from Maria Brink (she/they) reads, COVID has significantly reduced my ability to access healthcare safely. My grandmother died from a healthcare-acquired infection, and that loss is unconscionable. Healthcare workers have a duty and obligation to protect all patients (especially the vulnerable) which includes not spreading airborne viruses.

1/2 Maria Brink (she/they); At high risk, veterinarian, advocate for family and friends with #LongCovid #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal (CW: bereavement) "My grandmother died from a healthcare-acquired infection" donoharmbc.ca/first-person...

Pink gradient graphic 2 of 3 from DoNoHarm BC with header reading, Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal. #KeepMasksInHealthcare. www.DoNoHarmBC.ca A quote from Kayli (she/her) reads, I haven’t seen a dentist in so long because I keep hearing people getting reinfected there. COVID isn’t seasonal, and unless everyone is wearing a mask if they can do so, my vulnerable family members and I can’t safely access healthcare. In an ongoing airborne pandemic, the more masked up, the better...

Pink gradient graphic 3 of 3 from DoNoHarm BC with header reading, Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal. #KeepMasksInHealthcare. www.DoNoHarmBC.ca A quote from Kayli (she/her) reads, ...we all share the same air, and we should be preventing healthcare-acquired infections year round. Everyone is at risk of Long COVID and post-COVID damage, not just the disabled and/or immunocompromised. It’s also not sufficient to merely wear baggy surgical masks where aerosols get through! Let’s follow the science.

2/2 Kayli Jamieson (she/her): “COVID isn’t seasonal, and unless everyone is wearing a mask if they can do so, my vulnerable family members and I can’t safely access healthcare.” #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal donoharmbc.ca/first-person...

Pink gradient graphic featuring a young biracial (East Asian and white) woman with dark hair, wearing a black respirator and red and green plaid vintage outfit, holding a hand drawn sign reading, Keep Masks in Healthcare. A pull quote from Kayli (she/her) reads, "A single Covid infection completely upended my life"

Pink gradient graphic 1 of 3 from DoNoHarm BC with header reading, Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal. #KeepMasksInHealthcare. www.DoNoHarmBC.ca A quote from Kayli (she/her) reads, A single COVID infection completely upended my life two years ago by disabling me with Long COVID. This is happening to millions and yet public health is not treating COVID with the seriousness it deserves and preventing infections in all healthcare settings.

1/2 Kayli Jamieson (she/her), 25-year-old Long COVID patient and Long COVID Researcher: “A single COVID infection completely upended my life.” #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal donoharmbc.ca/first-person...

8 postcard designs featuring the DoNoHarm BC logo and a QR code leading to DoNoHarmBC.ca Bright rainbow gradient graphic with white text reading, Wearing Is Caring, with the "a" in caring replaced by a white respirator. Smaller text reads, I need masks in healthcare because, followed by a blank white space to write in. Amber graphic with stylized black bold text reads, COVID-19 is: checkmark, airborne. X mark, over. We need airborne precautions now. Pale yellow graphic with watercolour blue watercolour splashes and flower umbels in the corners, with a small fuchsia respirator design, and fuchsia diagonal text reading, prevention is better than a cure, and an asterisk leading to the footnote, especially when there is no cure. Linen-textured parchment graphic with a wash of watercolour pink, and a sketch of a white mask surrounded by pink embroidered flowers. Text reads, Wearing is Caring. Keep masks in healthcare. Stylized green and teal illustration with starburst silhouettes and

Already emailed & phoned to tell #BCpoli that #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal? You can also send #Postcards4PublicHealth calling to #KeepMasksInHealthcare! Remember, mail to MLAs & Ministers is free 🙌

Download our printable postcards & get message ideas: donoharmbc.ca/postcards4pu...

Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal: Keep masks in BC healthcare Take action to keep and strengthen mask protections in BC healthcare year-round, not just during so-called

1/4 🧵 As part of #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal we’re amplifying stories from vulnerable British Columbians who'd be impacted by discarding mask protections in healthcare. Have a moment today? Tell DOZENS of BC policymakers in 1-click: We need to #KeepMasksInHealthcare! donoharmbc.ca/vulnerabilit...

Advocacy group calls for stronger mask requirements Advocacy group launches province-wide campaign to strengthen mask protections in healthcare for worker and patient safety.

Thanks to CityNews for covering our #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal campaign to keep & strengthen healthcare mask protections 🗞️ And thanks to @protectbc.bsky.social’s Dr Karina Zeidler & @wanderingkayli.bsky.social for raising their voices as part of our campaign!

vancouver.citynews.ca/2024/03/16/s...

Light blue graphic with the DoNoHarm BC logo and text at the top reading, Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal. #KeepMasksInHealthcare. Have your say by April 1. www.DoNoHarmBC.ca. Body text reads, Email emoji: Click to email BC policy-makers. Red telephone emoji: Leave a quick phone message. Fax machine emoji: send a free fax. Mailbox emoji: Send #Postcards4PublicHealth. Megaphone emoji: Spread the word to raise awareness

Want to do more? You can also target policymakers by phone, fax, mail (no postage needed!) and tell them to #KeepMasksInHealthcare because #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal & #CovidIsNotOver #CovidIsAirborne Go to our website for scripts, graphics, and other resources. donoharmbc.ca/vulnerabilit...

Two adults in N95 masks against a light blue background, one with long dark hair, assisting an elder with white hair using a walker. Black text reads, Vulnerability Isn't Seasonal. #KeepMasksInHealthcare. Share your thoughts by April 1. www.DoNoHarmBC.ca

📣 In honour of #LongCovidAwareness Day, today we launch a new campaign to keep vulnerable patients safer in healthcare. #VulnerabilityIsntSeasonal, and neither is Covid - we’re calling on BC policymakers to #KeepMasksInHealthcare & more. Join us! donoharmbc.ca/vulnerabilit... 1/2