David Osborn
@safedavid3.bsky.social
Health and Safety Consultant
Executive Team Member Covid-19 Airborne Transmission Alliance (CATA)
Core Participant in UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry
Views are my own
Executive Team Member Covid-19 Airborne Transmission Alliance (CATA)
Core Participant in UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry
Views are my own
I'm afraid I don't work in NHS and so don't know either way.
Perhaps others in NHS can comment.
Perhaps others in NHS can comment.
September 26, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I'm afraid I don't work in NHS and so don't know either way.
Perhaps others in NHS can comment.
Perhaps others in NHS can comment.
Good point.
I wholeheartedly agree.
In fact I would put surgical masks on the OTHER SIDE OF the baseline as, by lulling HCWs into a false sense of security (believing they are protected when they are not), they put the wearer at greater danger than no mask at all.
I wholeheartedly agree.
In fact I would put surgical masks on the OTHER SIDE OF the baseline as, by lulling HCWs into a false sense of security (believing they are protected when they are not), they put the wearer at greater danger than no mask at all.
September 15, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Good point.
I wholeheartedly agree.
In fact I would put surgical masks on the OTHER SIDE OF the baseline as, by lulling HCWs into a false sense of security (believing they are protected when they are not), they put the wearer at greater danger than no mask at all.
I wholeheartedly agree.
In fact I would put surgical masks on the OTHER SIDE OF the baseline as, by lulling HCWs into a false sense of security (believing they are protected when they are not), they put the wearer at greater danger than no mask at all.
Oh dear, they can't do that.
By their own admission they STILL don't have a pandemic response plan for a respiratory/airborne pandemic. They've only just started work on one.
Hmmm. A bit late now! Would have been nice to have had such a response plan in 2020
By their own admission they STILL don't have a pandemic response plan for a respiratory/airborne pandemic. They've only just started work on one.
Hmmm. A bit late now! Would have been nice to have had such a response plan in 2020
September 14, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Oh dear, they can't do that.
By their own admission they STILL don't have a pandemic response plan for a respiratory/airborne pandemic. They've only just started work on one.
Hmmm. A bit late now! Would have been nice to have had such a response plan in 2020
By their own admission they STILL don't have a pandemic response plan for a respiratory/airborne pandemic. They've only just started work on one.
Hmmm. A bit late now! Would have been nice to have had such a response plan in 2020
One wonders what pathogen will be given to the participants in the exercise to simulate?
Perhaps a novel airborne beta-coronavirus with a CFR of about 3 and R0 of about 3.
Oh yes, SARS-CoV-2 would fit the bill.
Then we can all see how they would handle the same pandemic if it recurred today.
Perhaps a novel airborne beta-coronavirus with a CFR of about 3 and R0 of about 3.
Oh yes, SARS-CoV-2 would fit the bill.
Then we can all see how they would handle the same pandemic if it recurred today.
September 14, 2025 at 2:15 AM
One wonders what pathogen will be given to the participants in the exercise to simulate?
Perhaps a novel airborne beta-coronavirus with a CFR of about 3 and R0 of about 3.
Oh yes, SARS-CoV-2 would fit the bill.
Then we can all see how they would handle the same pandemic if it recurred today.
Perhaps a novel airborne beta-coronavirus with a CFR of about 3 and R0 of about 3.
Oh yes, SARS-CoV-2 would fit the bill.
Then we can all see how they would handle the same pandemic if it recurred today.
Meanwhile members of the CATA Executive Team stand ready to participate in Exercise Pegasus, as do no doubt BMA, RCN, RCM etc and bereaved families, Long Covid Groups – if invited, that is… (a forlorn hope perhaps?!)
September 14, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Meanwhile members of the CATA Executive Team stand ready to participate in Exercise Pegasus, as do no doubt BMA, RCN, RCM etc and bereaved families, Long Covid Groups – if invited, that is… (a forlorn hope perhaps?!)
Perhaps during Exercise Pegasus the participants will devise new, innovative means of stifling HCW concerns about their safety.
Will they again adopt the “Cannon Fodder Principle” as opposed to the “Precautionary Principle” which normally underpins worker health & safety?
Will they again adopt the “Cannon Fodder Principle” as opposed to the “Precautionary Principle” which normally underpins worker health & safety?
September 14, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Perhaps during Exercise Pegasus the participants will devise new, innovative means of stifling HCW concerns about their safety.
Will they again adopt the “Cannon Fodder Principle” as opposed to the “Precautionary Principle” which normally underpins worker health & safety?
Will they again adopt the “Cannon Fodder Principle” as opposed to the “Precautionary Principle” which normally underpins worker health & safety?
See the testimony of Rose Gallagher (RCN) at the Inquiry then follow the link across to @1goodtern for the full transcript.
x.com/_CatintheHat...
(Apologies, this excellent thread is only available on X because of certain limitations within BlueSky)
x.com/_CatintheHat...
(Apologies, this excellent thread is only available on X because of certain limitations within BlueSky)
Cat in the Hat 🐈⬛ 🎩 🇬🇧 on X: "In Rosemary Gallagher’s written statement, she reflects on what happened during that meeting on 3 June 2021: “The questions we asked were not answered and our concerns were dismissed almost out of hand.” “It did not deliver and we came away feeling belittled and patronised.” https://t.co/BMzgS6uXil" / X
In Rosemary Gallagher’s written statement, she reflects on what happened during that meeting on 3 June 2021: “The questions we asked were not answered and our concerns were dismissed almost out of hand.” “It did not deliver and we came away feeling belittled and patronised.” https://t.co/BMzgS6uXil
x.com
September 14, 2025 at 2:12 AM
See the testimony of Rose Gallagher (RCN) at the Inquiry then follow the link across to @1goodtern for the full transcript.
x.com/_CatintheHat...
(Apologies, this excellent thread is only available on X because of certain limitations within BlueSky)
x.com/_CatintheHat...
(Apologies, this excellent thread is only available on X because of certain limitations within BlueSky)
As often happens, "leaks' occur!
A Government employee present at the meeting, recognising the importance of this momentous occasion, 'leaked’ a transcript of that meeting onto social media. Otherwise it would have been buried forever.
A Government employee present at the meeting, recognising the importance of this momentous occasion, 'leaked’ a transcript of that meeting onto social media. Otherwise it would have been buried forever.
September 14, 2025 at 2:11 AM
As often happens, "leaks' occur!
A Government employee present at the meeting, recognising the importance of this momentous occasion, 'leaked’ a transcript of that meeting onto social media. Otherwise it would have been buried forever.
A Government employee present at the meeting, recognising the importance of this momentous occasion, 'leaked’ a transcript of that meeting onto social media. Otherwise it would have been buried forever.
Such a meeting had never taken place before in the history of NHS. Representatives of over a million NHS workers met with Government in mid-pandemic.
It was convened after the Alliance wrote to PM Johnson and it took DHSC over 100 days to convene, while HCWs were dying by the score
It was convened after the Alliance wrote to PM Johnson and it took DHSC over 100 days to convene, while HCWs were dying by the score
September 14, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Such a meeting had never taken place before in the history of NHS. Representatives of over a million NHS workers met with Government in mid-pandemic.
It was convened after the Alliance wrote to PM Johnson and it took DHSC over 100 days to convene, while HCWs were dying by the score
It was convened after the Alliance wrote to PM Johnson and it took DHSC over 100 days to convene, while HCWs were dying by the score
Should important meetings to discuss life & death of healthcare workers be held in secret under the “Chatham House Rule”, as imposed by Mr Dynan-Oakley at the outset of the meeting without the courtesy of any prior consultation with the stakeholders?
September 14, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Should important meetings to discuss life & death of healthcare workers be held in secret under the “Chatham House Rule”, as imposed by Mr Dynan-Oakley at the outset of the meeting without the courtesy of any prior consultation with the stakeholders?
When representatives of HCWs dying by the score, meet Gov’t to seek respirators for close quarter care, will they once again be snubbed as when our Alliance, BMA, RCN, RCM, etc met on 3/6/2021 with Chair Michael Dynan-Oakley (DHSC) and IPC Cell (Eleri Davies/Lisa Ritchie/Mark Wilcox etc)?
September 14, 2025 at 2:09 AM
When representatives of HCWs dying by the score, meet Gov’t to seek respirators for close quarter care, will they once again be snubbed as when our Alliance, BMA, RCN, RCM, etc met on 3/6/2021 with Chair Michael Dynan-Oakley (DHSC) and IPC Cell (Eleri Davies/Lisa Ritchie/Mark Wilcox etc)?
Talking of disinformation…
Remember the scientists & HCWs who had LinkedIn/Social Media accounts shut down because they dared suggest C-19 was airborne.
Perhaps the 'winged horses' will test how effectively they can close down competent scientists more effectively in favour of ‘lapdog experts’ ?
Remember the scientists & HCWs who had LinkedIn/Social Media accounts shut down because they dared suggest C-19 was airborne.
Perhaps the 'winged horses' will test how effectively they can close down competent scientists more effectively in favour of ‘lapdog experts’ ?
September 14, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Talking of disinformation…
Remember the scientists & HCWs who had LinkedIn/Social Media accounts shut down because they dared suggest C-19 was airborne.
Perhaps the 'winged horses' will test how effectively they can close down competent scientists more effectively in favour of ‘lapdog experts’ ?
Remember the scientists & HCWs who had LinkedIn/Social Media accounts shut down because they dared suggest C-19 was airborne.
Perhaps the 'winged horses' will test how effectively they can close down competent scientists more effectively in favour of ‘lapdog experts’ ?
Remember the gross disinformation peddled by IPC Cell and chums (DROPLET, DROPLET, REPEAT DROPLET, REPEAT DROPLET – “Airborne not predominant”).
And Minister Dalton still says this…
(CATA is still waiting for her to reply to our letter warning of hauling HM Gov't into Court for Judicial Review).
And Minister Dalton still says this…
(CATA is still waiting for her to reply to our letter warning of hauling HM Gov't into Court for Judicial Review).
September 14, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Remember the gross disinformation peddled by IPC Cell and chums (DROPLET, DROPLET, REPEAT DROPLET, REPEAT DROPLET – “Airborne not predominant”).
And Minister Dalton still says this…
(CATA is still waiting for her to reply to our letter warning of hauling HM Gov't into Court for Judicial Review).
And Minister Dalton still says this…
(CATA is still waiting for her to reply to our letter warning of hauling HM Gov't into Court for Judicial Review).
Don’t you just love core objective #6: “Test the strategic response to disinformation & misinformation”!
Remember the disinformation peddled by Maria van Kerkhove & WHO chums: “COVID IS NOT, REPEAT NOT, REPEAT NOT AIRBORNE” - because we haven't got FFP/N95 to protect you against airborne disease.
Remember the disinformation peddled by Maria van Kerkhove & WHO chums: “COVID IS NOT, REPEAT NOT, REPEAT NOT AIRBORNE” - because we haven't got FFP/N95 to protect you against airborne disease.
September 14, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Don’t you just love core objective #6: “Test the strategic response to disinformation & misinformation”!
Remember the disinformation peddled by Maria van Kerkhove & WHO chums: “COVID IS NOT, REPEAT NOT, REPEAT NOT AIRBORNE” - because we haven't got FFP/N95 to protect you against airborne disease.
Remember the disinformation peddled by Maria van Kerkhove & WHO chums: “COVID IS NOT, REPEAT NOT, REPEAT NOT AIRBORNE” - because we haven't got FFP/N95 to protect you against airborne disease.
And look at the 8 ‘core objectives’...
tinyurl.com/5crunps2
Isn’t there something missing?
Oh yes – no prospect of setting up a competent forum with the right skill-sets to ensure Healthcare Worker safety.
Will we see another secretive, shadowy “IPC Cell” again – God forbid!
tinyurl.com/5crunps2
Isn’t there something missing?
Oh yes – no prospect of setting up a competent forum with the right skill-sets to ensure Healthcare Worker safety.
Will we see another secretive, shadowy “IPC Cell” again – God forbid!
NHS England » Pandemic preparedness & Exercise Pegasus
Agenda item: 7 (Public session)
Report by: Sarah-Jane Marsh, National Director for Urgent and Emergency Care and Operations
Paper type: For information
tinyurl.com
September 14, 2025 at 2:03 AM
And look at the 8 ‘core objectives’...
tinyurl.com/5crunps2
Isn’t there something missing?
Oh yes – no prospect of setting up a competent forum with the right skill-sets to ensure Healthcare Worker safety.
Will we see another secretive, shadowy “IPC Cell” again – God forbid!
tinyurl.com/5crunps2
Isn’t there something missing?
Oh yes – no prospect of setting up a competent forum with the right skill-sets to ensure Healthcare Worker safety.
Will we see another secretive, shadowy “IPC Cell” again – God forbid!
Consultation with workers is an absolute requirement of health & safety legislation.
But compliance with H&S legislation was never their strong point, especially COSHH (protection of workers from hazardous substances/pathogens). Something to be picked up or put down as Government mood/whim dictates.
But compliance with H&S legislation was never their strong point, especially COSHH (protection of workers from hazardous substances/pathogens). Something to be picked up or put down as Government mood/whim dictates.
September 14, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Consultation with workers is an absolute requirement of health & safety legislation.
But compliance with H&S legislation was never their strong point, especially COSHH (protection of workers from hazardous substances/pathogens). Something to be picked up or put down as Government mood/whim dictates.
But compliance with H&S legislation was never their strong point, especially COSHH (protection of workers from hazardous substances/pathogens). Something to be picked up or put down as Government mood/whim dictates.
The findings of the paper by Cherrie et al (at the head of this thread) completely vindicate Prof Elkington's development and use of powered respirators. If you haven’t already seen it, an interview with him can be seen here: tinyurl.com/yc74vj66
Definitely worth watching…
Definitely worth watching…
Interview with Paul Elkington: Benefits of personal respirators for healthcare staff safety
Benefits of personal respirators for healthcare staff safety
tinyurl.com
September 14, 2025 at 12:51 AM
The findings of the paper by Cherrie et al (at the head of this thread) completely vindicate Prof Elkington's development and use of powered respirators. If you haven’t already seen it, an interview with him can be seen here: tinyurl.com/yc74vj66
Definitely worth watching…
Definitely worth watching…
For those interested in this topic (as many HCWs will be, even if UK Ministers, DHSC, UK-HSA, Chief Nursing Officers etc aren’t!), a report can be found here:
tinyurl.com/4drx92b7
In this report you'll see mention of the initiatives by Prof Paul Elkington and colleagues at Southampton.
tinyurl.com/4drx92b7
In this report you'll see mention of the initiatives by Prof Paul Elkington and colleagues at Southampton.
Report - RPE for HCWs in Future Pandemics.pdf
tinyurl.com
September 14, 2025 at 12:49 AM
For those interested in this topic (as many HCWs will be, even if UK Ministers, DHSC, UK-HSA, Chief Nursing Officers etc aren’t!), a report can be found here:
tinyurl.com/4drx92b7
In this report you'll see mention of the initiatives by Prof Paul Elkington and colleagues at Southampton.
tinyurl.com/4drx92b7
In this report you'll see mention of the initiatives by Prof Paul Elkington and colleagues at Southampton.
Without a shadow of a doubt, when the next (sadly inevitable) pandemic begins, powered hoods should be the ‘go-to’ Respiratory Protective Equipment for HCWs (particularly for sessional use).
They avoid all the problems of ‘face-fit’, discomfort etc associated with tight-fitting RPE (FFP3/N95 etc).
They avoid all the problems of ‘face-fit’, discomfort etc associated with tight-fitting RPE (FFP3/N95 etc).
September 14, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Without a shadow of a doubt, when the next (sadly inevitable) pandemic begins, powered hoods should be the ‘go-to’ Respiratory Protective Equipment for HCWs (particularly for sessional use).
They avoid all the problems of ‘face-fit’, discomfort etc associated with tight-fitting RPE (FFP3/N95 etc).
They avoid all the problems of ‘face-fit’, discomfort etc associated with tight-fitting RPE (FFP3/N95 etc).
As per COSHH Regulations ‘hierarchy of control’, the use of ventilated headboards (engineering control) has precedence over PPE & should be the first choice.
That said, the cost/time involved in setting this up at scale to cope with another pandemic may not be practicable.
Image: CDC
That said, the cost/time involved in setting this up at scale to cope with another pandemic may not be practicable.
Image: CDC
September 14, 2025 at 12:47 AM
As per COSHH Regulations ‘hierarchy of control’, the use of ventilated headboards (engineering control) has precedence over PPE & should be the first choice.
That said, the cost/time involved in setting this up at scale to cope with another pandemic may not be practicable.
Image: CDC
That said, the cost/time involved in setting this up at scale to cope with another pandemic may not be practicable.
Image: CDC
Let’s look at the percentage reduction in risk:
Ventilated headboards & powered hoods = 91-99%
FFP3 = 95%
FFP2 = 86%
Surgical mask (FRSM) = 60-64%
Ventilated headboards & powered hoods = 91-99%
FFP3 = 95%
FFP2 = 86%
Surgical mask (FRSM) = 60-64%
September 14, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Let’s look at the percentage reduction in risk:
Ventilated headboards & powered hoods = 91-99%
FFP3 = 95%
FFP2 = 86%
Surgical mask (FRSM) = 60-64%
Ventilated headboards & powered hoods = 91-99%
FFP3 = 95%
FFP2 = 86%
Surgical mask (FRSM) = 60-64%
A layman’s interpretation of the above graphic would be “the lower the 2 grey boxes, the better the protection" i.e:
1) Powered Airhood
2) Mask & ventilated headboard
3) FFP3
4) FFP2
Last) Surgical mask
Hand-hygiene/disinfection make little difference!
(Well it is a predominantly airborne virus!)
1) Powered Airhood
2) Mask & ventilated headboard
3) FFP3
4) FFP2
Last) Surgical mask
Hand-hygiene/disinfection make little difference!
(Well it is a predominantly airborne virus!)
September 14, 2025 at 12:45 AM
A layman’s interpretation of the above graphic would be “the lower the 2 grey boxes, the better the protection" i.e:
1) Powered Airhood
2) Mask & ventilated headboard
3) FFP3
4) FFP2
Last) Surgical mask
Hand-hygiene/disinfection make little difference!
(Well it is a predominantly airborne virus!)
1) Powered Airhood
2) Mask & ventilated headboard
3) FFP3
4) FFP2
Last) Surgical mask
Hand-hygiene/disinfection make little difference!
(Well it is a predominantly airborne virus!)