I got that, but if the doc is concerned that the patient maybe infectious, surely the doc should be erring on the side of caution and making sure they're not passing anything on to people that they already know may be vulnerable.
I had my eyes tested last weekend, and was very pleased to see all the opticians wearing masks and using hand sanitiser between patients, as well as evidence that the examining room had been wiped down. I think the doctor who was seeing @Fire should have at least deduced that @Fire was feeling vulnerable, and at a minimum, asked if she would feel more comfortable if she wore a mask too. I always wore a mask when treating patients, did so for years, don’t understand the reluctance to do so. ( I did let them see me without a mask first, and if they were nervous, would explain the mask wearing being for their comfort as I’d been eating raw onions! Helped break the ice, give them a laugh, and helped them to relax!)
Amen Ergates. With Covid (and other infections) spiking in London, with a new (sub) mutation, highly vulnerable and older people in a small space (going in and out of surgery), I would at least hope that doctors would not take umbrage that someone is wearing a mask. I didn't feel that uncomfortable with other doctors there not wearing them - there are communication / face / trust issues at play, for sure. But I didn't enjoy feel like I was being accused of something... OTT; and that she did not approve.
The surgeon/professor I have worked with for the past twelve years had many, many friends, colleagues and family killed by Covid. I am sure he would much rather his frontline team was masked. He suffered great trauma from all his loss and is not about to forget any of it any time soon.
I get the impression that people (in the Uk, at least) would rather forget (or pretend to forget), and don't want to be thought dour or morose in talking about Covid losses and hardships now. They worry people will roll their eyes or yawn "yeah, been there, done that, can we now move on?". Anyone, like the prof, is regarded as a hysteric, regardless of how many close people were killed a few years ago. "Project Fear" they shrug.
I'm lost - if the point of masks is to primarily protect others and doctors are treating people who are susceptible to any infection, then why wouldn't doctors wear masks?
The doc in this question obviuously assumed the person wearing the mask had something infectious, but ignored the fact that they may be carrying something.
I am appalled at the experience you had @fire of someone in the medical profession querying your wearing of a mask in the way they did, especially in the context of the type of clinic you were attending. I am also not happy about the lack of masking and ventilation you encountered there. I agree that people just want to forget covid-19. Where is the proper ventilation in public buildings where people are expected to mix?
I have been wearing a proper-fitting mask whenever I go to indoor, crowded spaces and am aware mask-wearing amongst the public slipped away a long time ago. People seem to have forgotten that asymptomatic transmission is quite possible.
I know someone who works in a medical setting and she has long-covid and now wears hearing-aids and finds it difficult when others wears masks and told me she caught COVID three times despite wearing a mask. I have a feeling she was only wearing a surgical mask, rather than an N95 type fitted mask. The point is that she works in a medical setting and has basically given up mask-wearing. Are masks that pointless?
I am concerned that good quality mask-wearing is not compulsory in public indoor settings especially since July/August with the new mutations, and because of that, I have kept away from all health settings (not to mention shops etc) apart from to receive COVID and flu jabs. In effect, I am self-isolating because I have enough low-level health problems that could escalate at any moment and I know the NHS is so strained that I don't dare rely on it for what would be a long wait for diagnosis and possible treatment etc.
However, if proper ventilation and proper masking was in place, I would probably be able to live a more normal life again and might consider making medical appointments. Imagine if the government gave free good quality N95 masks for the public to wear and encouraged working from home...
Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus
My above experience related was just my take. The doctor herself might well tell the story very differently. Maybe she had a migraine or her dog had just died or was distracted - who knows. I feel do for the Prof. All the medical professionals are very much more at risk than most people. I know front line health workers that have had Covid four times; some have really struggled with long covid. They should be protecting themselves by whatever means the can. Extra good excellent ventilation in clinics would seem to be a no brainer.
My son is a dentist in France and he always wears a mask when seeing patients.
There is a notice on the front door of my GP surgery in France asking all patients to wear masks and my GP wears a mask.
OH had Covid last week and his vaccination is due on Tuesday. He lives in Norfolk. The NHS website says to go ahead with the vaccination even if you've recently had Covid. When I had Covid in France, June 2022, I was told I couldn't be vaccinated before December and the illness itself would vaccinate me.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
My wife was in hospital for 11 days when she broke her leg and none of the staff, patients or visitors wore masks. On follow up appointments I've seen a few patients wearing masks but nobody else.
My guess would be that the clinical evidence for their effectiveness just isn't there.
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I always wore a mask when treating patients, did so for years, don’t understand the reluctance to do so. ( I did let them see me without a mask first, and if they were nervous, would explain the mask wearing being for their comfort as I’d been eating raw onions! Helped break the ice, give them a laugh, and helped them to relax!)
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I have been wearing a proper-fitting mask whenever I go to indoor, crowded spaces and am aware mask-wearing amongst the public slipped away a long time ago. People seem to have forgotten that asymptomatic transmission is quite possible.
I know someone who works in a medical setting and she has long-covid and now wears hearing-aids and finds it difficult when others wears masks and told me she caught COVID three times despite wearing a mask. I have a feeling she was only wearing a surgical mask, rather than an N95 type fitted mask. The point is that she works in a medical setting and has basically given up mask-wearing. Are masks that pointless?
I am concerned that good quality mask-wearing is not compulsory in public indoor settings especially since July/August with the new mutations, and because of that, I have kept away from all health settings (not to mention shops etc) apart from to receive COVID and flu jabs. In effect, I am self-isolating because I have enough low-level health problems that could escalate at any moment and I know the NHS is so strained that I don't dare rely on it for what would be a long wait for diagnosis and possible treatment etc.
However, if proper ventilation and proper masking was in place, I would probably be able to live a more normal life again and might consider making medical appointments. Imagine if the government gave free good quality N95 masks for the public to wear and encouraged working from home...
There is a notice on the front door of my GP surgery in France asking all patients to wear masks and my GP wears a mask.
OH had Covid last week and his vaccination is due on Tuesday. He lives in Norfolk. The NHS website says to go ahead with the vaccination even if you've recently had Covid. When I had Covid in France, June 2022, I was told I couldn't be vaccinated before December and the illness itself would vaccinate me.