alone for preoxygenation followed by HFNO insufflation during the apnoeic period. 5,6 The authors concluded that HFNO 'provided a shorter intubation time and less frequent incidence of desaturation during attempts at fibreoptic tracheal intubation compared with preoxygenation by face-mask ventilation'. Irrespective of the superiority of one method over another, neither of these has been compared with the standard of care of rapid sequence intubation, and both may represent inferior alternatives.

Aerosol generating procedures and risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections to healthcare workers: a systematic review. PLoS One 2012; 7, e35797 7. Wax RS, Christian MD. Practical recommendations for critical care and anesthesiology teams caring for novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) patients.