iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 5h

That means both Scotland & Wales now have accurate guidance, at least on that one point🥳 Of course, there are still huge problems with the Manual. But on this occasion, politely querying an error seems to have done the job! Thank you for listening, ARHAI @nhsnss.bsky.social 🙏

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 5h

They responded to my query to say "the Guidance Team will review the wording and consider amendments to improve clarity". It seems they did. Here's what it says now 👏 👇

There are two main types of respirators used within health and care settings in Scotland:

tight-fitting respirators (FFP3) that require the wearer to be face fit tested, and to perform a fit check on each use
loose fitting respirators (often referred to as powered hoods, powered respirators or PAPR)
Valved FFP3 respirators and powered respirator hoods should never be worn by an infectious person as the respirator is designed to filter incoming air and not the air being expelled by the wearer.

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 5h

To recap, they seemed to have conflated valved FFP3 masks, which do only filter incoming air, with unvalved FFP3 masks. which filter both incoming/ inhaled and outgoing/ exhaled air (if well-fitted).

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 5h

💥Success💥 is not often a word you hear in connection with attempts to secure positive change to infection prevention and control policy, but I'm delighted to have some to report, having written to point out that it is an error to say no infectious person should wear an FFP3 mask 🧵

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Not a word on indoor air quality or wearing a mask just "Practise good hygiene–wash your hands regularly & cover your mouth & nose when you cough or sneeze" 🤦‍♀️ @�‍♀️https://publichealthscotland.scot/our-blog/2026/october/how-surveillance-is-helping-prepare-for-scotland-s-winter-respiratory-season-2026/

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Sally Witcher @salwitcher.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

This is brilliant! Masking can be fun ☺️

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

This is encouraging! But before breaking out the bunting let's see what happens. Watch this space...🤞.

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

...However, we recognise that the current wording may be unclear, particularly as valves are not specifically mentioned in relation to respirator masks. To address this, the Guidance Team will review the wording and consider amendments to improve clarity. Thank you for raising this issue with us."

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

"Thank you for your enquiry. The statement within the NIPCM is intended to apply to all forms of respiratory protective equipment (RPE), including respirator masks and powered hoods. Exhaled breath and excess air supply from powered hoods may escape via the neck cuff or fabric seams...

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Note that it draws no distinction between valved FFP3 - which doesn't filter exhaled air - and unvalved FFP3 that does. So I wrote to them to draw attention to this error and got a response this afternoon.

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

To recap, it says there are two main types of respirators: * tight-fitting respirators (FFP3) that require the wearer to be face fit tested, and to perform a fit check on each use; * loose fitting respirators (often referred to as powered hoods, powered respirators or PAPR).

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Update: Following my recent post below, I decided to write to the body responsible, pointing out that it is incorrect to say that fit-tested unvalved FFP3 face masks do not filter air expelled by the wearer so should never be worn by an infectious person. I have just had a response! 🥳🧵

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

2/2 We're hoping now to roll out the framework in Scotland by developing a blueprint or roadmap for action to make good indoor air quality a reality - and a right - for all. There's a lot to do! DM if you'd like to know more & maybe get involved 🙏

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

1/2 Our Founder and Director was delighted to be involved in this landmark global exercise - and made the most of the opportunity to draw attention to the need for action on indoor air quality to prevent & control airborne respiratory infections, and promote indoor air equality & inclusion

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Please can someone make this make sense because it looks like dangerous nonsense to me.

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

And presumably if you go to hospital because you’re infectious and need treatment you should never wear an FFP3 either.

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

So apparently it's just fine for an infectious/ possibly infectious, healthcare worker not to wear an FFP3 to protect their patients. They should only ever wear one to protect themselves from infectious patients.

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I couldn't believe my eyes. What am I missing?

RPE should never be worn by an infectious person as the respirator filters incoming air and not the air being expelled by the wearer.

There are two main types of respirators used within health and care settings in Scotland:

tight-fitting respirators (FFP3) that require the wearer to be face fit tested, and to perform a fit check on each use

loose fitting respirators (often referred to as powered hoods, powered respirators or PAPR)

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

According to the recently revised Scottish infection & prevention control manual for healthcare workers ""RPE should never be worn by an infectious person as the respirator filters incoming air and not the air being expelled by the wearer." 🧵

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Wow - that's a high percentage 😮 "Adults who reported 2 or more infections had 76% higher odds of receiving a new medical diagnosis."

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BuDS Disability Service @buds-disability.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Covid infection levels in England are continuing to rise as we move into the autumn. With 1 in every 675 people in England infected as of 6 September, the BuDS overall Covid risk level remains Moderate, but is now approaching Moderately High. A thread 🧵

Covid levels in England continue to rise.
Risk level remains Moderate at 1 in 675.
Precautions recommended in all but lower-risk indoor places.

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Yet still pro-graded exercise therapy, pro-CBT attitudes are still to be found among medical professionals who really should know better. Some powerful people really seem to want conditions like ME/CFS, Long Covid, etc to be psychological, due to lack of exercise, etc. They aren't.

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Very helpful and thorough account (I think @ukhadds.bsky.social's work e.g. on CO2 levels impacting viral viability may be relevant too?)

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Chantzy @chantzy.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Love to see this! "We're constantly listening to our visitors, and a designated mask-required experience is something many have expressed interest in" www.exploratorium.edu/press-office...

exploratorium.edu

Exploratorium Announces Special Mask-Required Morning on Saturday, August 22 | Exploratorium

Low-capacity, early access offers a more comfortable museum experience for visitors seeking designated mask-required hours

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Hannah Davis @ahandvanish.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Neuromuscular dysfunction in #LongCovid shows changes between 1.2 - 2.6 yrs from infection: Muscle disease dropped from 78% (1.2 yrs) to 18% (2.6 yrs). But SFEMG (junction where nerve meets muscle) stayed abnormal: 54% (1.2 yrs) to 56% (2.6 yrs). www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

sciencedirect.com

Persistent neuromuscular dysfunction in long COVID: A quantitative and single fiber EMG follow-up study

Persistent symptoms after SARS CoV-2 infection, often designated as "long COVID”, continue to be an ongoing health issue. Previously, we reported elec…

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Prof Ros Gleadow FAA 💙💚 @rgleadow.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Another study showing exercise and fitness is completely unrelated to whether you are susceptible to long cd. Impotrant to prove - Can we move on now?

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Across the board, Scottish Government needs to wake up to the fact that ventilating with outdoor air is not the sole answer to improving indoor air quality. Outdoor air does not necessarily equal fresh air. It can be worse quality than indoors. Filtration is a key part of a multi-layered approach.

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

With wildfires raging & indoor air quality in the vicinity likely to be very poor, now would be a great time for @publichealthscot.bsky.social to inform the public about HEPA filtration units that remove hazardous smoke (& other) particles. Not expensive & widely available.

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Sally Witcher @salwitcher.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

📢 Calling Edinburgh-based folk!

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Edinburgh Mask Bloc @edinmaskbloc.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

It's grim that we now need to be prepared for annual wildfires (and frequent even more dangerous house fires). Grab some masks now to protect yourself from future smoke damage, as well as airborne infections and other harmful particles

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Air Library Scotland @airlibraryscotland.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

With three wildfires in Edinburgh over the last year alone, big inner city fires in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and more across Scotland & the UK, it's becoming more and more important to clean air indoors - get in touch with us if you want to borrow a purifier or help buying or building your own!

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

It's worth getting hold of a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration unit or two if affected by smoke indoors. They filter out harmful smoke particles & as a bonus also other harmful particles, airborne allergens & infections. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Please can anyone explain why ever-reducing vaccine eligibility despite in the absence of ever-reducing risk is morally acceptable or economically justifiable, when the public cost of vaccinating is very likely to be less than the public cost of health needs arising due to not vaccinating.

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Well, it won't be great for wheelchair users and many others with mobility impairments! Is it in breach of the Equality Act 2010? Can we have 'reasonable adjustments'?

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Just a thought. Who out there is working on developing transparent respiratory masks?

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Mike Honey @mikehoney.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Here's the latest variant picture with a global scope, to the end of May. NB.1.8.1 "Nimbus" was roughly flat at 50%. XFG.* "Stratus" fell to 19%. BA.3.2.* "Cicada" fell to 14%. 🧵

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crboxfoundationuk.bsky.social @crboxfoundationuk.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Register now: Jonas Grau Thomsen speaks online this Friday on technology, inclusion and the clinically vulnerable. He crossed three continents in a wheelchair. Clean air is part of this. Free. go.corsirosenthalfoundation.org.uk/LnOOgmF #CleanAir #Inclusion

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Tom Kindlon @tomkindlon.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

NIH press release: "Immune system may attack nervous system in some Long COVID patients" www.nih.gov/news-events/... Paper: A causal link between autoantibodies and neurological symptoms in long COVID pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42208499/ #LongCovid #PASC

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Our founder will be making a presentation on 'Indoor Air Quality Inequality, at the HESTIA network webinar on 'Justice and Housing', 23 June 12.30-1.30pm BST: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/bde680...

events.teams.microsoft.com

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Our founder @salwitcher.bsky.social will explore how indoor air quality inequalities can be exacerbated or reduced in our homes, arguing there's more to inequality than clinical status & why health impacts of airborne infections need to be considered alongside other indoor air pollutants, etc.

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Inclusive New Normal @inclusivenew.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Thank you very much for your response. So I think that means that even though its prevalence is increasing due to new sub-lineages, volumes are very low and geographically patchy, hence the message remains that overall risk is low. Sorry, this isn't my area of expertise, but keen to understand.

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Steve Griffin @profstevegriffin.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

I and @independentsage.bsky.social advocated kids vax vs SARS2 since day 1. Even when transiently available to u12s, they were sold as a damp squib by those in authority. As vax coverage dwindles, the lack of foresight gets harder to reconcile. #LongCovidKids is a major neglected issue 💔

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