Nicolas Smit is a Covid Survivor, Long Hauler, Advocate, Scientist and Engineer. He has a bachelor of Liberal Science & a 3-year diploma in mining engineering technology. He is a member of the World Health Network communication committee.
In March 2020, Nicolas got Covid and continues to suffer from Long Covid. He has made it his mission to help prevent people from going through what he has had to experience. Nicolas was recently appointed Executive Director for the nonprofit American Mask Manufacturer’s Association. He is trying to get medical masks to everyone in the U.S. as well as trying to get mask donations to low-income countries.
In April 2021, Nicolas helped get millions of N95 masks donated to those in need in India.
Nicolas has provided presentations for workplace safety organizations on using effective masks for infection control. He also advised governments on occupational health and safety regarding mask use.
At the start of the pandemic, Nicolas was able to get the Canadian and Ontario government to recommend elastomeric respirators as N95 alternatives. He worked with the mining industry to get over 100,000 elastomeric respirators donated to other countries.
Taking Nicolas’ advice, the Ontario government launched an internal investigation into the benefit of using elastomeric respirators which resulted in the purchase of 100,000 elastomeric respirators for health care workers in the province. In December 2020, Nicolas worked with unions to raise awareness, and assisting them in a court battle against the Ontario government for keeping the PPE locked up - instead of distributing them.
In October 2021, Nicolas created a mask classification system to help educate the public on what protection each type of mask is able to offer for airborne as well as droplet transmission of COVID-19. Choose The Right Mask Chart has been used by experts, nursing professionals, the World Health Network and news organizations to help the public understand how their masks will keep them safe.
Nicolas is thrilled to join the MTA team to help educate the world on why we need to wear better masks against COVID-19. Clink on the link to see the chart.
