• They’re asking healthcare workers to wear it for the full shift, every shift. That’s fine for short time periods (say, during a COVID spike), but I don’t think that’s reasonable long term, especially since many healthcare workers work 12h shifts.

    My expectation is they wear one when around at-risk individuals, such as in a cancer ward, ER, etc. If it’s just in the waiting room for a checkup or something, it’s up to them, though they should try to distance themselves from people who choose to wear masks.

    • @zarkanian@sh.itjust.works
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      10 months ago

      Yes…? Isn’t that what healthcare workers did before COVID? Why would that be controversial?

      If my doctor or nurse isn’t wearing a mask I get the same gut reaction as if they’re smoking a cigarette. They are, of course, free to do that on their own time, but when they’re at work I expect them to be professional and health-conscious. That includes wearing a mask.

      • My care providers didn’t and don’t wear a mask every time I visit, though they do maintain a reasonable distance. They do around sick people though.

        The post makes it sound like healthcare providers are expected to always wear a mask, which is ridiculous. They should wear a mask about as often as they did pre-2020, more if there’s a COVID surge or something.