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This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
Sanitation workers in New Zealand quarantine hotels are among the worst protected in the developed world, according to a man in controlled isolation who helped equip medical personnel around the world.
Tim Jones says he predicted the current outbreak when he arrived at his isolation hotel two weeks ago, surprised by the low level of personal protective equipment worn by nurses, defense force personnel and border workers.
Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
Returning New Zealander Tim Jones says that, at a minimum, workers in close contact with returnees, such as nurses, defense force personnel and border workers, should wear tight-fitting N95 masks (file photo).
I was returning home from Britain after working for four years for a US-based New Zealand-owned RPB company that provided protective equipment for front-line workers in hospitals in 50 countries, primarily the United States, Great Britain and Europe.
“In short, New Zealand has been the worst protected front-line health worker we’ve seen,” Jones said.
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“I think probably the biggest red flags were when we landed at the border. We only saw surgical masks, even on people from the military who were on the bus with us so obviously in close proximity, traveling to our managed isolation facilities.”
He was “completely shocked” to learn from a New Zealand Defense Force contact that even the staff working at Auckland’s Jet Park, where most people have Covid-19, wore the most basic surgical masks.
“This was a week and a half ago and I said ‘If that’s the case, then it’s only a matter of time until a healthcare worker hires Covid if that’s what they’re using,'” he said.
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Mr Jones was “completely impressed” to discover that health workers in close contact with returnees wore the most basic surgical masks.
Surgical masks are the common disposable pleated masks with spaces on the sides.
They are more beneficial in protecting other people from Covid-19, rather than preventing the user from contracting it.
At a minimum, workers in close contact with returnees should wear tight-fitting N95 masks, Jones said.
The health workers who conducted Jones’ health checks were good at keeping their distance, but mostly wore only surgical masks, and some also wore protective goggles, he said.
That was risky, especially before they knew it was negative for Covid-19, Jones said.
He had been impressed by New Zealand’s ability to keep Covid-19 out, so he was surprised to return home to see something so simple being overlooked.
N95 masks are being considered
The Health Ministry is urgently investigating whether N95 masks should be worn at the highest risk facilities, such as Jet Park.
The Ministry of Health and the Director General of Health, Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, are investigating whether N95 masks should be used in the highest risk isolation facilities.
Chief Health Officer Dr. Ashley Bloomfield said there is growing evidence that workers who contracted the virus in managed isolation hotels may have spread it by airborne transmission.
The Nurses Organization has been calling for a better level of protection, saying it didn’t know why it wasn’t there already.
You also want research on how all managed isolation facilities are running.
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
