Laura Martin

@hiralyhall Sounds scary, I'm sorry.. Pleased you're OK. There are some properly amazing paramedics out there ❤️

It was stunning in Richmond Park last night but shortly after this I discovered I am allergic to wasp stings. So grateful to friends, family, hospital staff and especially the paramedics who were sensational

ICNARC data. Great example of a picture avoiding it being necessary to tell a thousand words

Well said @elinlowri What an incredible job they do. Our team too.

@sarahlogan76 I watched an outstanding COVID operation ouch w my #NHSchildren age 8 & 10 yesterday & was quite moved by @DoctorChrisVT and @xandvt going to so much trouble to make sense of it all to them. Thank you.

So with you. 5 year old not sleeping well said completely unprompted today at breakfast “btw mummy I won’t get sick with #COVID19 as I am a child, not over weighted and a female. What has this done to #NHSchildren

@tomayates Interesting. Thank you, we were discussing asymptomatic transmission today @susannahamelia @onnmin

There is a strong case to be made for regularly testing individuals (health and social care workers) who are in regular contact with vulnerable individuals. 40-50% of transmission occurs prior to symptom onset. 100,000 unused tests is no good.

@Ralph_McTell @NHSuk Heartbreakingly lovely.

@MattHancock is worried we're expecting PPE to 'fall from the sky'. Personally, I was expecting it to 'be produced by UK manufacturing'. A less ambitious aim, I'm sure you'll agree. Surely someone has mentioned this as an alternative. @hammersmithandy

Agree @susannahamelia, very proud to be part of it. But, adequate supplies of PPE you say BBC reporter? First I've heard of it. When are the government going to secure a UK based supply? @hammersmithandy

@docfok @OutbreakJake But no high quality evidence of non airborne transmission either.. & I accept we're having to make Pragmatic decisions all over the shop, but for HCW protection, it really is difficult to justify.

@ljmljg @OutbreakJake Absolutely agree with that. But have to have pragmatic guidance in interim, and no high quality evidence of airborne transmission presented to NERVTAG (but accept I am neither expert in this, nor have I had time to read deeply on subject)

FFP3 vs Surgical mask PPE guidelines are based on SARS-CoV-2 transmission being large droplet spread only on the general ward. This JAMA article illustrates why that assumption is flawed. jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/… @OutbreakJake

@docfok @OutbreakJake Low quality evidence is not the same as high quality evidence, it means very little. There is a moral obligation to manufacture more PPE without a doubt.

@ljmljg @OutbreakJake In the current scenario though, when globally not sufficient FFP3/N95 for all HCW to wear for every clinical encounter, then is it moral obligation to ensure they are used for the encounters where there is evidence that they make a difference to transmission?

@OutbreakJake @ljmljg @lizWWyld Numerous aerobiology studies have failed to detect any viable M.tuberculosis in concentrated samples from various air sampling techniques. This is not good evidence that TB is not airborne. What’s the downside to safety first with a new pathogen, esp re PPE for frontline workers?

@OutbreakJake .. And when we are in the heartbreaking situation of caring for our critically unwell colleagues we will know we did everything we could to protect them.

@OutbreakJake I know jake. I'm not looking for a fight either. I think we should be doing what the Chinese are doing. Maximum precautions in all settings with covid + patients. Supported by UK manufacturing to provide supply. Staffing will improve as nurses feel protected..

@OutbreakJake @hammersmithandy @richardhorton1 @MakeUK_ Of course not.. There is no argument here for using PPE instead of correct doffing, hand hygiene etc. Just a very strong argument for assuming a position of as much protection as possible in the face of inadequate evidence. Let's do this now, not wait until we know more.

@ljmljg @hammersmithandy @richardhorton1 @MakeUK_ No PPE in the world provides 100% guaranteed protection and PPE is just one part of a safe system of working. Even when we are shattered after a long shift, we still have to doff safely, continue vital hand hygiene, and follow all of the more general measures when we leave work.

UK Government need to manufacture PPE in massive quantities to provide our staff with the highest possible protection. It is inconceivable that ventilators are already in production but PPE is not. 'We might run out' is Not Good Enough @hammersmithandy @richardhorton1 @MakeUK_

You're right @OutbreakJake, I couldn't agree more that the evidence base for what we know about this disease transmission is very fragile. That's why there is a morale obligation to provide the highest level of PPE possible to our Healthcare workers until we know for sure.

Spoke to my beautiful friend last night - a lung doctor in the nhs. She said, while its a lovely gesture, instead of just clapping please could you just never ever vote conservative again.

#ClapForTheNHS is lovely, but sufficient & appropriate PPE would be even better #protectourhealthworkers