Mask refusal

[Sherrie Smith]

At Virginia Department of Health, RN's are being told that we must serve clients who refuse to wear masks. Ironically, it is VDH that is supposed to be enforcing the mask requirement in public buildings in Virginia. How is this ethical or even legal?

[caugoesmoo, RN]

If we had 'Karens/Kyles' that refused to wear masks on my unit, our charge nurses would offer a non-mask alternative of covering their heads with sheets/blankets instead - most of these people saw would realize how much more convenient wearing a mask was

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

On 8/12/2020 at 12:56 PM, Mywords1 said:

In most units and situations, all patients need to wear a mask. . In other situations and hospitals, exceptions can be made. Standing 6 feet away is not enough for you? Are all the Covid-related rules in writing for patients?

What if someone needed CPR, breathing close to you, will you refuse and let her die? You realize that statistically chances of infection are very tiny. Risk is a matter of degree from none to big-- depending on your state, health, and your particular job.. The nurse's career and duty is treating all patients-- unless the situation is so strange that it is impossible. All ethicists I know of agree. If you feel strongly against caring for a maskless patient, then by all means arrange for another nurse to handle him, if possible.

When the light turns green, you can move ahead - if it is safe to do so.

The nurse's career and duty are to use good judgment in treating patients - not to be a martyr, especially those who have dependent children.

The employer's job is to enforce rules that protect nurses, other staff, and other patients.