A major shift is taking shape to start 2026.

1) BMJ: Europe’s Top Doctors Urge WHO to Make Respirators the Standard in ALL Healthcare Settings

In a Jan 9, 2026 report, The BMJ writes that doctors, scientists, and public health experts are urging WHO to recommend respirators “in every encounter in all healthcare settings.”  The experts are calling for WHO guidance to shift so respirators are standard, “not just during outbreaks or high risk procedures.”  

They also warn that policies allowing routine care in surgical masks (or none) are “scientifically indefensible” and “dangerous.” And they make the stakes very clear: current policy leaves staff and patients exposed to “preventable and potentially even lethal risk.”  The direction is clear: modern infection prevention must reflect the reality of airborne exposure risks faced by healthcare workers every day. As the experts put it, “It would be a profound but easily accommodated change,” especially in healthcare settings which “represent a crucible of disease transmission.” 

2) Canada (CSA): similar policy and standards modernization is underway  

Canada is going through similar policy change considerations, increasingly led by CSA respiratory protection standards modernization, including expectations that support: 

• respirators as the default throughout healthcare facilities (unless a qualified, detailed risk assessment exempts certain spaces due to engineered risk reduction) 
• minimum protection aligned with CA-N95 / NIOSH N95 
• the importance of fit, comfort, breathability, sizing options, training, and long-wear practicality 

Should these policy and standards directions continue, is your organization prepared with a system that can consistently meet the new baseline? Book a meeting and find out how Canada Masq built a market ready product system that supports these exact issues and receive cost-free evaluation products for your staff without purchase commitment.

Many healthcare organizations across long term care, home care, community health, clinical environments, and dental practices continue relying on procedure masks instead of respirators. Combined with a potential influenza vaccine mismatch and persistent respirator fit challenges, this creates widening gaps in protection for both staff and the vulnerable populations they serve.

Below is an evidence based overview of the key risk factors this season and why healthcare leadership may want to reassess respiratory protection strategies.

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1. Rising Risk: Vaccine Mismatch and Seasonal Pressures

According to the Government of Canada’s Respiratory Virus Surveillance Program (updated Dec 5), influenza activity has increased and remains elevated. Older adults continue to be disproportionately affected, with 41 percent of laboratory confirmed influenza cases occurring in adults aged 65 plus.

Source: Government of Canada, Respiratory Virus Surveillance: Influenza
https://health-infobase.canada.ca/respiratory-virus-surveillance/influenza.html

Outbreak patterns further reinforce this vulnerability. Long term care facilities account for 44.7 percent of all influenza outbreaks, highlighting the elevated risk for both residents and the staff who support them.

Because real world vaccine effectiveness data is not available until later in the season, organizations are operating with uncertainty regarding protection levels, especially as influenza A viruses continue to evolve. Even mild respiratory infections can rapidly escalate in frail seniors and those with COPD, asthma, heart disease, immunocompromise, or multiple chronic conditions.

Operational impacts include:

• higher absenteeism
• staffing instability
• increased outbreak response requirements
• added strain on care continuity

These pressures extend beyond LTC into assisted living, home care, clinical settings, community health, and dental environments.

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2. Procedure Masks vs Respirators in Healthcare Settings

Procedure masks do not protect the wearer

Public health agencies consistently emphasize that procedure masks are intended for source control only. They do not seal to the face, do not filter airborne particles effectively, and do not provide meaningful inward protection.

Reference:
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/ppe/surgical_mask.html

Where wearer protection is critical

Many daily tasks across LTC, assisted living, home care, acute and community care, and dental settings involve close proximity or aerosol exposure:

• personal care within inches of residents
• home visits in small or poorly ventilated spaces
• symptomatic assessments and respiratory therapy
• suctioning and airway related procedures
• dental aerosol generating procedures (AGPs), including drilling and ultrasonic scaling

In dental clinics, many AGPs generate high velocity aerosols containing viruses, bacteria, and blood borne particles. Procedure masks are not considered respiratory protection and do not filter these aerosols.

Reference: OSHA (citing CDC), Dentistry Worker and Employer Guidance
https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/control-prevention/dentistry

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3. Respirator Fit Challenges: A Persistent Gap in Workforce Protection

Even when respirators are provided, fit remains one of the most common and underestimated failure points in healthcare.

Why fit issues occur

Many conventional respirators come in only one or two sizes, despite Canada’s healthcare workforce including:

• a high proportion of women
• individuals with smaller or more slender facial profiles
• diverse facial anthropometries

Key workforce data:

• More than 75 percent of selected health care professionals in Canada are women (CIHI). https://www.cihi.ca/en/health-workforce-in-canada-overview
• In regulated nursing, about 90 percent of nurses are female (CNA).
  https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/nursing/regulated-nursing-in-canada/nursing-statistics
• Women account for about 75 percent of all paid care workers in Canada (Statistics Canada).
  https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2022001/article/00001-eng.htm

One and two size respirators often fail to accommodate this diversity, leading to widespread fit test failures.

Peer reviewed research confirming high failure rates

1. Regli et al. (Anaesthesia, 2021)
   Found N95 and FFP2/3 initial fit pass rates range from 40 to 90 percent, with lower success among women and Asian healthcare workers.
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32932556/
2. Hasni et al. (PLOS ONE, 2023)
   Demonstrated that gender and facial dimensions strongly influence fit, with women and smaller faced individuals experiencing significantly lower fit success. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288105

Operational impacts of poor respirator fit

• increased staff illness and absenteeism
• repeated failed fit tests
• inconsistent protection across shifts
• higher occupational health liability
• SKU complexity and procurement inefficiencies
• reduced confidence among staff and families

A respirator that does not seal to the wearer cannot deliver its certified level of protection, regardless of filtration performance.

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4. For Leaders Reassessing Respiratory Protection Models

Many organizations are now re-evaluating respirator programs, fit strategies, and PPE expectations due to elevated influenza activity, staffing pressures, and continued fit challenges.

Canada Masq Q100: A Fit Inclusive CSA Certified CA N95

Canada Masq’s Q100 is the only CSA certified CA N95 respirator available in four sizes, aligning with CSA Z94.4 selection requirements and addressing the well documented fit issues seen with one size and two size respirators.

This size range enables a demonstrated 95 percent fit test success rate across healthcare and pharmacy staff in multi site evaluations.

The Q100 also meets or exceeds CSA’s highest rating for breathability with 100 pa airflow resistance, making it up to four times more breathable than many standard N95 models and better suited for extended use by staff or seniors with respiratory sensitivities.

CSA Certification:
https://www.csagroup.org/testing-certification/product-listing/certificate/?cert=302735-7204-03

Canada Masq Corporation is a leading Canadian manufacturer of disposable medical supplies, having delivered more than 350 million masks to government procurement agencies, national distributors, GPOs, and retailers.

Evaluation Window

A no cost one month evaluation window is available through December 23 for organizations wishing to assess fit inclusive respirators in a structured, non commercial, no commitment format.

Following December 23, inquiries may still be considered on a case by case basis.

Teams can gather internal feedback on:

• real world fit
• comfort across diverse facial profiles
• staff acceptance
• operational considerations
• inventory feasibility

• consistency of protection across shifts

If your organization wishes to participate in a respirator fit evaluation, contact seanl@canadamasq.com.

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FAQ: Respiratory Protection in Healthcare Settings

1. Are procedure masks adequate for protecting healthcare workers from airborne viruses?
No. Procedure masks do not seal to the face and do not filter airborne particles. They are intended for source control only, not wearer protection.
Reference: CCOHS.

2. Why are seniors disproportionately affected by influenza outbreaks?
Adults 65 plus represent 41 percent of lab confirmed influenza cases, and LTC facilities account for 44.7 percent of outbreaks, making seniors significantly more vulnerable to complications.
Reference: Government of Canada.

3. Why do so many healthcare workers fail N95 respirator fit tests?
Most N95 models come in one or two sizes, even though more than 75 percent of Canada’s healthcare workforce is female, and many staff have smaller or narrower facial profiles. Peer reviewed studies confirm lower fit success among these groups.

4. What makes the Q100 different from standard N95 respirators?
The Q100 is the only CSA certified CA N95 with four sizes, enabling a 95 percent fit test pass rate across diverse facial profiles. It also has industry leading breathability suitable for long wear and respiratory sensitive populations.

5. Who is eligible for the December evaluation program?
Healthcare organizations including LTC, assisted living, home care, community health, clinics, and dental teams. Requests after December 23 may be reviewed case by case.

6. How do we request participation?
Email seanl@canadamasq.com to register for a fit evaluation or request product information.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognize the invaluable contributions of women who are breaking barriers and driving innovation in industries traditionally dominated by men. Today, we shine a spotlight on Patricia Giunta, Sales Director at Canada Masq, whose expertise in compliance and regulatory processes plays a critical role in upholding the integrity of Canada Masq’s manufacturing operations. 

With a steadfast commitment to quality and safety, Patricia ensures that Canada Masq’s manufacturing processes align with the highest industry and regulatory standards. By overseeing compliance with CSA, ASTM, ISO, and MDEL certifications, she helps ensure that every step of production—from process development to final product release—meets stringent safety and performance requirements. Her leadership in compliance drives operational excellence and continuous improvement, reinforcing Canada Masq’s position as a trusted leader in PPE manufacturing. 

Interview 

Q: Patricia, thank you for joining us. Can you tell us about your journey with Canada Masq and what inspired you to enter the manufacturing industry? 

Patricia Giunta: Thank you for having me. My journey with Canada Masq began almost at the company’s inception, during a time when the demand for high-quality PPE was at its peak. I was drawn to the industry because it provided a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on public health. Manufacturing PPE goes beyond production—it’s about delivering protection, reliability, and peace of mind. Seeing our products in use and knowing they play a vital role in safeguarding people’s lives is incredibly fulfilling. 

Q: Compliance is critical in PPE manufacturing. How do these regulatory standards shape your role and Canada Masq’s commitment to quality? 

Patricia Giunta: Compliance isn’t just a requirement—it’s the foundation of our work. At Canada Masq, we adhere to rigorous standards, including CSA, ASTM, ISO, and MDEL, ensuring that every product meets the highest level of safety and performance. These certifications are more than checkboxes; they validate the reliability of our products in critical environments. My role is to oversee and maintain this commitment, ensuring that we consistently exceed industry standards while reinforcing trust with our customers and end-users. 

Q: You’ve played a key role in securing multiple certifications for Canada Masq. How have these processes influenced the company’s growth and operations? 

Patricia Giunta: Certifications are a testament to our commitment to excellence. CSA and ASTM set the benchmark for performance and safety, ensuring that our masks and respirators meet the stringent requirements needed in healthcare and industrial settings. Our MDEL license ensures we comply with Health Canada’s strict medical device regulations, while our ongoing ISO 13485 certification process underscores our dedication to quality management at every stage of production. FDA clearance, in turn, positions us for international expansion, opening doors to new markets. 

One of the achievements I am most proud of is leading Canada Masq through the CSA certification process for our respirators. Before the pandemic, Canada did not have its own national standard for respirators—this was an entirely new certification framework. Canada Masq is the only company to achieve the highest level of certification on four sizes of respirators, ensuring that all Canadians—regardless of their face size or shape—have access to a high-quality, Canadian-made respirator. This not only sets us apart in the industry but also reinforces our mission of providing superior protection for all. Each certification strengthens our brand, reinforces product integrity, and allows us to stay ahead in a competitive industry. 

Q: As a leader in manufacturing, what advice would you give to young women looking to build a career in this field? 

Patricia Giunta: Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Manufacturing is a fast-paced, dynamic industry where innovation thrives, and women bring invaluable perspectives to the table. My advice? Be confident in your abilities, stay curious, and continuously seek knowledge. Compliance, quality, and operational excellence are the backbone of this industry—mastering these areas will set you apart. 

Above all, don’t be afraid to push boundaries and step into roles traditionally filled by men. Women bring a fresh vision, innovative thinking, and a different approach to leadership and problem-solving—qualities that are needed now more than ever. By challenging the status quo, we help shape a more inclusive, forward-thinking industry that benefits from diverse perspectives. Your contributions matter, and the industry needs your voice to drive meaningful change. 

Conclusion 

Patricia Giunta’s leadership and unwavering dedication to compliance and quality propel Canada Masq forward, setting a benchmark for safety in PPE manufacturing. But beyond that, her journey is a testament to the power of breaking barriers and redefining what leadership in manufacturing looks like. 

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we honor trailblazers like Patricia, who prove that women not only belong in manufacturing but also thrive in roles that were once considered off-limits. By bringing fresh ideas, reshaping industry standards, and leading with innovation, women are transforming the future of manufacturing. 

Patricia’s story serves as an inspiration for the next generation of women ready to challenge expectations, push boundaries, and leave their mark in manufacturing and beyond.