Masking should be mandatory in all healthcare settings. Hospitals and doctor’s offices are where most sick people congregate. It’s also the most likely place for more high risk people to be. You shouldn’t have to risk getting sicker or more disabled while trying to get treatment.
May 13, 2025 21:04Hong Kong still requires universal masking in hospitals! My relative got admitte, unfortunately.
Well, I’m sorry about your relative but that’s great for them. At least they learned and adapted.
Covid is still with us!
Definitely!!
It’s WILD to me that this isn’t standard. It feels like handwashing all over again.
Oh my gosh, this!!!
Wore mine today while getting bloodwork. I was there only one in a crowded room masking.
I caught Covid (I’m pretty sure) in a crowded, 75% unmasked waiting room before a colonoscopy. I complained to the clinic’s infection control department about the lack of masking. They ignored me. I switched providers.
Vaccinations help with that!!
They do but unfortunately they don’t stop transmission. Layering with extra protection is best.
This. My local walk in clinic has masks that they provide and I'm commonly the only person in the place that wears one (usually when I take my kids in. Not for myself).
I have to force my daughters to wear them.
We're failing basic mitigation education.
Had to go to an urgent care where there was a sign saying "masks are encouraged" not a single employee was wearing one...
THIS~!
And also, more opportunities for virtual appointments, remote-check-ins, being able to wait outside the building in your car, alternative examination rooms... SO many better ways of doing things than what we have currently!
Masks are available at the desk or the door at every medical office or hospital I’ve been in since Covid hit (and I work in several). Masking makes communication very difficult to the hearing impaired, can be impossible for people with asthma/COPD. Those who want to mask, should.
My mom just had surgery w/ 1 overnight stay and I only saw exactly 1 other person (visitor) with a mask. In 2 days!
Agreed
We will mask when we have to, of course, but if we don't have to, we likely won't wear one.
healthcare workers who have to spend our days in these settings would like a say... You, as a patient, are welcome to mask up, but don't think that one size fits all policy like this will solve anything. More likely, you'll just contribute to the hemorrhaging of healthcare workers from healthcare.
