CDC update on masks

[mfci]

Does anyone else think this update (link below) means we might not have to wear masks all of the time?  It seems like it to me, but I think there would have been an uproar already if it was.

https://www.CDC.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html#anchor_1604360738701

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Sure sounds like it. 

 

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

My local medical groups, all two of them that own between them every hospital, urgent care and clinic in the region with the exception of the income based community health center and a tribal clinic on a local reservation have both issued statements that they have no plans to change their employee/patient masking requirements despite the statement from CDC. 

There is also a local addiction treatment center and a few mental health clinics in the area that I honestly have no clue who owns/operates. Plus the various LTC,  assisted livings and group homes in the community with various ownership groups.  None of these companies have made any public statement's regarding any changes in mask mandates but I don't know anybody who works for them so I can't say for certain if any changes are planned.

I work for an outpatient dialysis clinic, my company has made no statements regarding their mask/PPE policy yet though it is widely expected we will see no changes to our policy either. 

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

My employer has communicated to staff it has no plans to remove masking requirements because of the high number of employees testing positive. 

[No Stars In My Eyes]

The link seems to me to be saying that it depends on the service/facility, or whatever kinds of patients you have who might be compromised.

I have an elderly relative and a spouse with multiple health problems, so I wear a mask when I'm out in public, just in case. I don't want to bring anything INTO the home, nor do I dare to get anything that would take me out of being the only relatively healthy person here!

[chare]

My facility has relaxed the mask requirement in fully contained non-clinical areas.  In any area where patient or visitor contact is possible masking is still required.

[angeloublue22, BSN, RN]

I work in an inpatient psych hospital and they have now stopped requiring masks. Only visitors wear them and we wear them if we are working with pts with symptoms or COVID positive pts. 

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I work in two hospitals that still have mask requirements and I don't see that ending, at least not anytime soon. And I guess I'm grateful because I came up randomly positive last week on my third day in a row of working. Developed very mild symptoms late in the shift second day and then was asked to test when I arrived the third day. I don't take off my mask, except to eat meals, but one coworker still tested positive after I did. I feel awful about it, but I never would have gone to work if I had suspected it at all. My kids have had the sniffles since school started again, and I really thought nothing of it until I tested positive. Just not worth the potential exposures, I'll keep wearing the mask at work. 

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

On 10/5/2022 at 11:23 AM, kbrn2002 said:

My local medical groups, all two of them that own between them every hospital, urgent care and clinic in the region with the exception of the income based community health center and a tribal clinic on a local reservation have both issued statements that they have no plans to change their employee/patient masking requirements despite the statement from CDC. 

There is also a local addiction treatment center and a few mental health clinics in the area that I honestly have no clue who owns/operates. Plus the various LTC,  assisted livings and group homes in the community with various ownership groups.  None of these companies have made any public statement's regarding any changes in mask mandates but I don't know anybody who works for them so I can't say for certain if any changes are planned.

I work for an outpatient dialysis clinic, my company has made no statements regarding their mask/PPE policy yet though it is widely expected we will see no changes to our policy either. 

If you work for F, recently they put out the statement that we would be wearing masks for "the duration" it was one of the boxes on the home page. Of course, we all cheered (sarcasm). I know our patients aren't happy. I tell them to call corporate and complain. They make the rules, individual clinics don't!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

My hospital group (five adult and one children's hospitals) announced a couple weeks ago that masks are optional for all visitors and employees (excluding isolation areas). 

[mfci]

Thanks to all who have answered.  It helps to know what others are seeing.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

We recently relaxed mask requirements outside of patient care areas. So if we are in a staff meeting in a conference room, masks are not required. If it were huddle at the nursing stations, masks still required.