CUPE represents approximately 3,000 health care workers in Newfoundland and Labrador and we are calling on the provincial government to make the use of N95 (or higher) respirators mandatory for any health care workers in close proximity with COVID patients.
Quebec has already taken this step to make the use of N95 or higher respirators mandatory. We need to learn from the experiences of provinces that have been hard hit. Health care workers should have the same protection in any province they work in. They are dealing with the same virus.
What is the difference between a face mask and a respirator? How is fit-testing of a respirator done properly? When is a face mask not enough?