Irked, but I should understand (Vent)

[CloudySue]

I am not sick. At all. No cold, nothing. Yet when I got to my case tonight I guess I was coughing a bit, either from the pets here, or hot dry air, whatever. I sometimes have little coughing jags when the weather is cold, it's always been my thing. My mom has this problem too. It was the first I'd coughed all day. Anyway, mom came in and asked me to wear a mask. I explained that I wasn't sick but she Insisted, just in case.

Yeah, I understand nervous parents, and they don't really know me yet, but I cannot breathe well under this thing. I coughed once in the last 4 hours, so I've been wearing it on my chin or just left it on the table to eat my meal, and put it fully on only when I'm rendering care or handling equipment. I am irked but I think if the roles were reversed I might be cautious too. But I know when I'm getting sick, and I would have called out if I was!

Ok, thanks for listening to this silly vent. It's going to be a long winter with this mask on.

[ventmommy]

I bet it's because so many nurses haven't called out sick in the past and the mom is now overly cautious. Maybe explain to her that you and your mom both have a little cough that is triggered by cold weather, dry air caused by the heating system, pets, whatever and that you would never endanger her child or any child by coming to work sick.

[systoly]

i guess im less understanding

it makes no sense to me

face masks are a good barrier for large objects and

splashes, but may not be that good at blocking particles

expelled from a cough

they also lose effectiveness quickly

and finally, if there's a concern for transmission

i sure wouldn't hang my welfare on a facemask

reminds me of the fast food worker at a sandwich shop

who stops making a sandwich to ring up another

customer, makes change and then goes right back

on the food line, thinking it's ok, because the gloves

he's wearing will magically kill all germs

is there any way to explain how different types of

barriers work and also your situation as ventmommy said?

[ceebeejay]

OMG, the gloves and the cash register! Yes!

Masks are not effective barriers and you'd have to change it every couple of hours any way. Good luck with that. I understand the parent's point of view and yours as well. Tough situation.

[MadpeysRN]

OMG that reminds me when my man and I ate at a jimmy johns. The lady making my sandwich stopped to answer the phone order and went right back to making my sandwich!! Uh no!! Phones are nasty! I asked her to changed her gloves before she continued and my guy was embarrassed but I don't care!! Hopefully, the worker learned something and I can spare the next individual a nasty sandwich!! Ugh, that's why we eat at home most the time..

Ok rant done.

[eeffoc_emmig]

Even if you were sick, a mask isn't going to prevent the child from catching it. You would have to keep a mask on AT ALL TIMES and change it out often and even then I'm sure there is a possibility of the kiddo or other family members catching it.