If no one else is wearing a germ mask, do you? Why?

[wormboge]

I have been wondering how other people on here decide when a germ mask, such as droplet precaution mask or a respirator, is necessary, other than when entering a room where a precaution sign is posted? Of course, I am familiar with policies and laws, but that is not what I am asking about. Do you ever choose to wear a mask around patients or people who are coughing a lot when you are not required to, and why? I am wondering about in public, in the ICU, in the ER, in other doctors offices, at school, on airplanes, etc. Any or all of those. And if you don't bother to wear one despite being around others who are coughing a lot, why?

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[BoneBroCO]

I personally work in the ER and have done so for two years now. I always use a mask when the patient I am caring for is a droplet precaution, and will sometimes use one with a patient who is coughing excessively without properly covering their mouth. I also wear a mask when I myself am sick or feeling a bit off in order to protect the patients that I am in contact with. I know a lot of staff who constantly use a mask, and other staff who rarely do. In my opinion it is so much more important to sanitize your hands before and after ever touching patients, door handles, and other often touched objects.

I am also a strong proponent of the fact that our immune systems become more robust by coming into contact with more pathogens. I found I was getting sick almost every month when I first started in the ER, and now 2 years in, I rarely every get sick.

 

[seanm028]

Do you ever choose to wear a mask around patients or people who are coughing a lot

Yes, absolutely. Well, not in public, because I don't carry a mask in public. But at work? You betcha. I used to work at a children's hospital, and I'm pretty sure I spent the whole first year with one URI or another. Now my threshold is pretty low to bust out a mask.