Nursing home staff without masks

[LifeContinuesToChallengeMe]

Hi, I am based in Ireland and my dh works in a nursing home. I have just been looking at the stats and nursing homes are listed alongside hospitals as the places with most corona virus and health care staff are 23% of people with the virus. DH doesn't have access to masks at work and I'm concerned about this. He has been unwell also for the past few days. No cough but chills, aching muscles, exhausted. He goes back on shift on Saturday for 3 days. I can't help but feel very anxious about all of this. Unsure what my question is tbh. Maybe about whether having a mask or not makes a difference?

Sounds like he needs to stay home and self isolate to protect the residents.

Yes, they are of course very elderly and vulnerable. So that's my thinking too. Just when he doesn't have a cough we are unsure.

Even in the hospitals we’re told we don’t need to wear masks unless suspected or confirmed case. It worries me as important sure I read people can be infectious with no symptoms. The Brighton super spreader never had symptoms.

Thanks, OK that's good to know. I was unsure whether or not masks were a basic now. I have just called the doctor now but they are in a meeting so I will call back later.

The nursing home management should be protecting staff with PPE (even if the basic masks are ineffective).
I'd get your DH is self-isolate for the recommended amount of time--advise him to say he has the cough/temp as his management will unlikely permit him to be off without signs of the common symptoms.

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I dont think masks would make so much difference, full ppe is gowns, gloves , goggles and masks

People don't always have a cough. He needs to stay home. He could kill the whole lot of them.

He definitely needs to self isolate with those symptoms.

Spoke with the doctor. He has to self isolate. The doctor will get in touch with the nursing home too. He reckons he doesn't have it but best be safe and is referring him for a test. He should get one soon supposedly because of his job.

Your doctor sounds brilliant!