This week, we got some great news: millions of masks arrived early, ventilator numbers have surged thanks to onshore manufacturing, and most importantly: the curve is starting to flatten. We’re not out of the woods yet, far from it, but this is the great news for healthcare workers (HCW) on the COVID-19 frontline.

Now, we desperately need health departments and medical officers leaders to protect healthcare workers by ensuring the PPE guidelines match the severity of this virus.

The PPE guidelines for HCW in Australia provide significantly less protection than those in other countries like China, South Korea and Taiwan. Full coverage head to toe is consistently used during any interactions with suspected COVID-19 patients. In Australia, our highest level of PPE has been reserved for Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGP) only. AGPs include intubation, non-invasive ventilation, tracheotomy, CPR, collection of induced sputum. This is a very narrow list of procedures.

In reality, aerosols can be generated with coughing, speaking and even breathing. These aerosols have been shown to float in the air for up to 3 hours. This puts all HCWs at risk when in the same room as a COVID-19 patient.

The PPE guidelines need to be updated to reflect this risk and Airborne precautions should be used for all HCW when treating suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients.

We have been very fortunate to miss the worst of this pandemic. This has given us time to prepare should a second wave hit so that no Australian HCW gets infected.

We’ve seen what can happen when hospitals aren’t properly resourced in a crisis. In the lead up to the Tasmanian HCW outbreak, where nearly 50 healthcare workers contracted coronavirus, hospital staff were instructed to collect used P2 masks for “decontamination and reuse”.

P2 masks are single use only. No health policy recommends reusing them. In less than two weeks after that directive, 49 Tasmanian healthcare workers were sick and in quarantine.

We’re in a good position right now when it comes to COVID-19. We’ve all worked hard to flatten this curve, be it by staying at home or turning up to work in essential services. The government has also stepped up, doing what we asked and ensuring we have enough PPE. But we know this could kick back in, and worsen.

This isn't over. We all need to keep working together, a unified national response to ensure everyone is as safe as possible. That extends to healthcare workers. We still need consistent, adequate protection to keep safe from this virus, to keep our families safe, and to keep the curve flat.

Today, can you share Change.org/HealthcareWorkers on your social media, in your group chats, and wherever else you can?

Please, stay with us.

Click here to share this petition.

Image: AAP