My Rheumatologist advised me to be careful in public places and to take precautions, such as wearing a mask. He said it is because I have active RA, I am taking steroids and methotrexate, and the risks from a virus like Covid are a lot higher for me.
Do you folks wear a mask when you visit the hospital for example? When I attend a hospital appointment I am the only person in the building wearing a mask! I wear it because the chances of bumping into an unwell person has to be higher in a hospital, right?
Anyway, just wanted to hear your views on this. Do you wear a mask when attending a hospital appointment, or a night out in the pub, on the train etc?
Regards,
Mark.
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I wear one in all medical settings and any other busy place or one where I judge there is no air circulating or people near me are coughing and spluttering.
if your rheumatologist advises that you wear a mask maybe you should? I haven’t seen any recent public warnings & right now the general rule is to wear a mask if it will make you feel more comfortable .
It is your personal decision…personally I would wear a mask somewher like a cinema or public transport …where you are in longterm contact with strangers…but not every time I go out.
I’m on steroids, MTX and biologics. I only wear a mask on trains or buses, if there is people coughing. I tend not to wear mine at appointments, as the clinics are empty, unlike pre pandemic, but again if someone was coughing I’d wear it. I’ve stayed up to date with my vaccines, and managed to avoid covid so far, despite hubby having it once. However, if your rheumatologist has suggested it, I’d follow their request.
I always have a mask with me because I too, have active RA and am on steroids and methotrexate. However I have had 8 vaccinations so I’m hoping I’ll be ok. I wear my mask when I go to my drs surgery because it is small, and people are definitely there because they are sick. I don’t usually wear it at the hospital, I’m just careful where I sit.
I feel that if a medical practitioner advises the wearing of a mask it would be a good idea to do it especially in doctors' surgeries/clinics/hospitals. They're full of poorly people.
I have been advised to take care in crowded places but it’s not always practical (I’m going to a funeral tomorrow so can’t wear a mask all day, especially at the wake). I tend to keep a mask with me, especially when I travel on the train, but usually find it stays in my bag as my journeys are on a local off peak train with hardly anyone around. A few weeks go though, the train was really busy for some reason, so I put my mask on ….then I saw a girl two seats away who was clearly very very poorly and was coughing and spluttering all over the place….my answer was to change carriages quickly! If you feel self conscious wearing a mask when no one else is, you can take care in other ways such as choosing a seat near an open window, or the seat by the door that no one wants to sit at because it’s draughty, try to do activities during off peak hours if possible, sanitise hands before eating etc. Unless we’re all prepared to stay indoors all alone for ever, we can’t be protected from bugs of all kinds but we can try to do small things to reduce exposure. Then cross our fingers and hope for the best!
No I don't. The virus is air born. A mask won't prevent you catching it or passing it on. More sensible to wash hands. Essentially it's up to the individual though.
Good quality respirator masks worn properly DO help to prevent transmission and there’s scientific evidence to prove it. How can only washing hands prevent breathing in an airborne 🦠 virus? If you don’t want to wear a mask that’s up to you but please don’t misinform others!
It's not misinformation. I said it's up to others if they want to wear it. Neither my consultants or doctors are wearing them. How is wearing a mask standing up in a restaurant, but taken off sitting down helpful for example? The virus is air born. Unless you wear it permanently it's not going to help much. It's been 4 years, and the jabs that were initially said to be 95 percent effective so that we could all get on with our lives have been rolled out. Some people have had 7 and still got covid despite wearing masks.
You said this and I quote, "The virus is air born (sic). A mask won't prevent you catching it or passing it on. More sensible to wash hands."
Actually, there is indeed evidence that a good quality respirator does help to prevent transmission, which is what I said before! So saying it won't is indeed disinformation. Washing hands is also good practice but unlikely to prevent airborne transmission.
Suggest you reread what I said!
Yes some HCW don't wear masks but others do and many will put on a mask if you ask them to because you are very vulnerable to infection.
Wearing a mask is personal preference, we both agree on that, and thank you, I will continue to do so whenever I wish!
Plenty of evidence to prove the exact opposite too. Regardless, the original poster asked if any of us wore a mask . I said no and gave my reasoning for not doing so. It was a fair question which I answered respectfully. What other people choose to do about wearing a mask is entirely up to them and their particular circumstances -which I also clearly stated. I do ocassionally see the odd person wearing one. I just assume they feel safer or better wearing one and make no judgements. I'm a firm believer in bodily autonomy.
Yes, I have read a lot about the science behind wearing a mask, it doesn't seem clear. The Rheumy did say that wearing a mask mainly protects others, but it does have a small effect against catching a virus for the mask wearer. But the main reason he advises wearing it is to prevent me touching my nose and mouth with my fingers.
I think I will carry the mask with me and wear it if I feel it's required.
Your Rheumy is right but also wrong because there’s a BIG difference in efficacy between a surgical (blue ones supplied in hospital/surgeries) and respirator masks. The latter, the FFP2 or FFP3 respirator masks, DO indeed protect the wearer as well as others. Take a look at those available on a good website, such as The Facemask Store. I buy their Adventure Mask , which is FFP3 quality, and is available in four different colours. Other suppliers are available of course.
I'm on steroids, leflunomide and Filgotinib so severely immunosuppressed. I stopped wearing a mask many, many months ago. Before Covid I didn't wear one and was therefore exposed to colds, flu and other viruses, I'm well vaccinated so just live a 'normal' life now.My rheumatologist advised wear one if I feel safer, but he doesn't advise his patients too, otherwise we could be wearing them for the rest of our lives. Like flu / colds and other viruses we need to learn to live with Covid.
NHS don’t test anymore ? They no longer have free testing. I can’t speak for the ICU staff and their policy but admin don’t and they do ward visits. Most of them won’t know they have covid. Most of the population won’t know they have covid. The tests are expensive for an average person and most alot of people no longer get paid if they don’t go to work.My hubby had to work when he had it!
I never said that and people need to buy own tests. The NHS website says 5 days do look it up. And if self certifying would they not get paid no matter the reason unless it’s a zero hours contract? I don’t know about you but surely it’s common sense not to go to work and infect others if you know you might have Covid? It’s in population anyway but staying off if you’ve any sort of flu surely is, as I said common sense. I’m not commenting on wether someone is paid or not as that isn’t the question.
I had a hospital appointment for a Lung Function Test. I started with symptoms the day before so did a test which was positive. I rang to cancel but they said I should still go as otherwise it would be months before I got another appointment 🤷🏻♀️
Madness isn’t it! All we can do is what we are advised. For healthy people it might not be an issue but the flu my DIL has just had, lasted weeks and she being a yoga teacher and a health fanatic was really hit hard.
Hubby & I were shocked. A lung appointment as well. It’s strange how we respond so differently. Hope your daughter in law feeling better low. Can take a while to get over for sure.
I don’t need to look it up. They don’t test so don’t know they have covid. I have never stayed off work with a cold. I am self employed. Common sense yes but not if you can’t afford it.
That is not what was asked. If you choose to infect others knowingly then it’s sad. I don’t know what you do but if you’re coming into contact with elderly or vulnerable people like me then I’d hope you’d have more regard for other people. As to money if you’ve no customers because they are ill it’s not really as issue. If anyone came to my house with signs of respiratory disease then they’d not get in as there are plenty of other plumbers, carpet fitters etc around who I’d give work too even if they had to put off the job rather than one who came and who might knowingly put my life knowingly in jeopardy.
Hi Mark. I'm on biologics and sulfasalazine. I still wear a mask in shops, hospital appointments, GP surgery etc. I've had 7 vaccines and never had COVID...yet! 🤞My hubby went to the doc surgery for a blood test and the nurse asked him if he always still wears a mask as he was wearing one. He told her about me and she said he was sensible to wear one as so many bugs plus COVID around, lots more COVID than folks think.
Yes it's up to the individual but if the Rheumy advised it I would wear one. Especially as you are on steroids and MTX. I don't give a damn if I'm the only one wearing one. I was on a plane a few months ago and as soon as I sat down the lady next to me asked me why I was wearing one! Bit cheeky! I just said because of the meds I'm on my immunity is rubbish. She apologised for asking 😊
Yes having RA and being on steroids (10mg per day or more) does increase your risk of more serious illness if you get Covid. If your RA is not well controlled the risk is even higher.
The latest scientific evidence shows we are also at a much higher risk of developing Long Covid and hence further serious health problems too. The best advice on prevalence, variant symptoms etc is from the leading scientists and medics who post on X (was Twitter) and I strongly encourage you to find out more as little is now reported in MSM.
I have had nine Covid vaccinations but still not made any antibodies (I’m on Tocilizumab now but was on Rituximab) as I’m very immune suppressed. I have had Covid and luckily managed to get antivirals just in time so I did recover. Consequently I’m determined not to get Covid again as getting antivirals now is very hit and miss.
So I always wear a respirator mask (FFP3) in all crowded places and especially in healthcare settings plus I take my personal HEPA filtration unit with me too. I don’t eat in restaurants, or go in pubs and theatres and am very choosy who I will allow in my home.
I know others on here are less cautious but we must each make our own decision based on quality evidence and assessment of our own personal risk. If your consultant has recommended you wear a mask I recommend you follow his advice but make it a respirator of FFP2 or FFP3 quality not a “baggy blue”.
Sorry not read any of other replies. This is my thought ... do what your Rheumy says. I wear a mask if the supermarket is busy, also I've had three lots of antibiotics in the last 4 months as I've been not well. Also I've worn a mask when ive been in a confined space as I don't want to give anyone else a bug.
I also have RA and PMR and so immunocompromised due to the medications I am on. I wear a mask in any setting where I am around other people and especially in enclosed settings. Six times vaccinated, but as that does not stop you from catching COVID, I take all the precautions I can. Long COVID is a real condition, and if you read any of the research done, the more often you have COVID the more likely you are to develop long COVID and it doesn't even have to be a severe case to affect you. Too many sad reports of how it debilitates people, including young, fit people, not to be cautious. But as is shown here, everyone has a right to their own opinion, I would just consider wearing one when you are around vulnerable people to help to protect them.,
yup, yup and yup. Had a dr appointment and wore a mask. Went to the opera, wore a mask. I especislly wear a mask on planes. The amazing thing is I have never had covid! I am certain the mask-wearing has made a big difference. I never find it a problem snd have no interest in getting sick and recovering for however long that takes….
It all comes down to personal choice - if it makes you feel safer then wear one. I have only used masks when it was mandatory - I have active RA etc but (touching wood) have not had Covid. Recently had an appointment at our surgery and nobody wearing one.
HelloI do wear one if I can't distance. I am in Australia and my local hospital encourage the public to wear masks. I am often the only one at the supermarket with one on but I don't care. I haven't caught Covid and I am fully vaccinated. It's a choice I make. I am on methotrexate as well and my husband is immune suppressed and I don't want to take it home to him either after being out.
I’ve had all jabs (8) , avoided Covid. I carry an FFP2 mask and if it’s busy or poorly ventilated eg GP practice - which is both -then I wear it. I have had monthly infusions throughout the pandemic for the immune compromised and more since. I’ve managed to avoid Covid so far and told by rheumatologist that I should have good immunity by now but am eligible for anti virals. The only circumstances which would put me back to shielding (masking whenever out) again would be if my rheumatologist wants me to start Rituximab - which I’ve so far refused for several reasons.
I wear a mask everywhere in public and I have help with showering and vacuuming, she always wears a mask.
I’m in New Zealand and there are a few that mask but it’s not common. I’m fine being the only one lol better safe than sorry. I haven’t had Covid so far.
I wear a good mask FFP2 only, at all times indoors, or in big crowds. Covid makes me bedbound for 3 months, so there is no event worth that to go maskless for me! The plus side - I haven't had a cold for 4 years! It's not ideal, but you do get used to it!
Edit: I am on Methotrexate and HUMIRA, and a normal cold will put me in bed for a month!
I live in Australia and wear a mask anytime I am indoors apart from my own home. I’ve not had Covid yet, nor any other cough or cold since Covid began. I also use a hand sanitiser.
It depends if the hospital has a mask wearing policy. If not I don’t . I am on Humira and also have ILD . If have just had covid and never even had anti virals. I have been fine just like a bad cold. I am fully vaccinated and I stay as healthy as possible with a good diet as I think our risk isn’t just confined to our diagnosis and treatments.
My doctor surgery now ask us to wear masks when going in the building and the staff are wearing them in the public areas (at least). There’s an uptick in Covid cases in S. Herefordshire plus measles.
It costs me nothing to cooperate ; it protects me from infection, either way, and also being an unwitting carrier to infect others.
I’d go with the advice you’ve been given; they don’t give advice for no reason and they’re more expert than the court of public opinion.
I have relatives working at a hospital. The country cannot run in people taking time off with a positive test. The majority of people don’t know they have it and for a lot of people it’s like a cold. I am not anti vac or anti Covid. I lost friends with covid and a relative so I understand people’s worry.
I know for a fact because my daughter in law, who is a staff nurse in Out Patients, was told to go to work if she felt well enough when she had Covid, again, recently. Local ambulance staff have been told to do the same. They are so short staffed.
Yes, I wear one in hosp now, admitted to one of the nurses I felt a pratt and she laughingly told me off! Shall we start a club - Wear your mask- stay safe if you have an autoimmune ! Keep fighting! Take care.
I guess it’s now what you feel comfortable with. If it makes you feel safer then do it. Personally when I see sumone wearing one now I wonder if they have covid and tend to keep back from them. None of the doctors or nurses wear a mask at our hospital anymore
Wearing a mask can help in another way because quite often people think that you must have something that can be passed on so avoid being close to you! I have experienced this, admittedly on a plane, a year ago.
My son and I wear masks when ever we are in public buildings, but especially when in hospitals and GP surgeries. My son says why not wear a mask and stay healthy, he has been pleased to not get coughs and colds for the last few years.
I was saddened to see that only two other people were wearing masks in the very busy outpatients department when we were there last week. They were elderly ladies. Sensible.
Not all of us get vaccines. And not all of us want to risk Long Covid. My son says his chronic fatigue is nearly killing him now, Long Covid on top of that would be the end of him.
I suggest you look at mask wearing reviews by people like Prof Carl Hennigan . There is no evidence that wearing a piece of cloth or paper around your face does anything to stop the spread of respiratory viruses. Only proper medical, fitted masks offer any protection.
Carl Hennigan is pointing out that the evidence is poor - one of the main reasons why masks 'don't work' is 'poor compliance' - that is, people don't wear them, or touch them frequently. In ideal situations with good compliance and good design of the mask, transmission from air contamination is reduced.
All down to choice. I’ve had a lot of hospital appointments lately & none of the staff have been wearing them. I always carry one in my bag anyway. I get paranoid if anyone starts coughing at the theatre etc though. I live in a tourist area & notice a lot of foreign tourists still wearing them.
Yes we still take precautions including wearing masks when travelling especially as Covid has increased again. Like others I avoid indoor crowds, places lacking circulatory air , rather take precautions than not. I always have a mask with me in case.
I work at a clothing manufacturer and we have been told its company policy to go in if we have Covid unless it totally floors you of course but we don't get sick pay. The design staff and office can work from home but me, the other cleaner and the staff in the manufacturing area cant do that so it's stay home with no sick pay ☹️
I never stopped wearing a mask in: elevators/lifts, public transit, shops-any indoor venue with other people. Who cares if you are the only one? Better safe than sorry.
No - I don’t wear a mask anymore. I got covid 6 times over the past few years and thankfully nothing recently - though the last time was no worse than a light flu
It’s your choice what you do though. Hope your RA settles soon
Yes ma'am, I wear a mask every time I go out, hospital, church, grocery store etc. I'm afraid of catching covid, flu or rsv. Sometimes I'm the only person with one on, but I have to protect me.
Hi.. I’m a nurse-midwife and I do wear a KN95 when working in the clinic and the hospital. I also wear one at my medical appointments, as does my rheumatologist and staff.
In other public places, it depends on the ventilation and how crowded it is. I always mask in the supermarket. For me, I’d rather play it safe than ramp up my immune system more. (I have RA and Hashimoto’s.) 😷
I wear mine when in a doctors office or shopping. Took my friend to an eye doctor appointment and forgot my mask. But I thought, eye doctor not medical doctor so should be ok. I couldn’t believe how many people were coughing and sniffling. There was one smart man with a mask. I’m still kicking myself. Wear it!
Medical settings most of the time. Anywhere that someone is coughing or sneezing. Really crowded places. The habit of spraying my hands with antibacterial spray when I get back in the car stuck. There are times, like when I went to the lab yesterday that I’ll put the mask on and if it’s not crowded and nobody seems sick I’ll take it off if it’s bugging me.
Hi,I wear a mask at hospital when visiting or appointments I have similar condition to you too but you cannot take chances , I caught COVID last march at hospital on the day I was sent home when I tested positive 2 days later I notified all sorts at GP and hosp rhumy etc and no one contacted me back 32 days I was pos and I'd rather get looks for wearing a mask than not be wearing one. So I reckon you are doing the right thing by wearing one ...it's you that matters to you 👍
I always wear an FFP3 mask in indoor public places, except in the dentist surgery.
May I ask, did the rheumatologist advise you on this whilst not wearing a mask, even though you are vulnerable, and with a straight face?
When I see doctors now they are never wearing a mask and I don't raise the matter as feel I don't want to engender any ill feeling. I did ask my dentist to wear an FFP3 mask rather than the usual blue 'medical' mask - they did, but complained about it being uncomfortable.
Absolutely. Always, I've never stopped... and in hospital I wear two. In Boots, Waitrose etc too... And always anti bac my hands going out my front door and wash hands and reapply when at the many hospital and gp appts. And when I get home first thing `I do is wash my hands. Am on methotrexate and have too many other meds and complex health conditions including hypocomplementemia not to. Keep wearing them I say, and the anti bac and washing hands.. please.
oddly enough our local surgery had a sign up yesterday saying to wear masks, but then at a recent appointment at our local hospital on Wednesday there was nothing. And I saw no one wearing one.
Just go with what you feel necessary, even more so if your rheumatologist advised it!
Had 2 jabs wont be getting any more... i dont wear a mask ive never had covid my hubby still works at nhs he literally goes all over a big major hospital different departments and wards and hasnt had covid.. my daughter a nurse she had covid 3 times . Makes no sense🤷♀️
I always wear a mask in the Doctors and in the Hospital.I still wear one in shops etc, I feel strongly that they should still be Mandatory in all public places, especially Hospitals, Clinical settings and the Doctor's.
They can still prevent us catching infections and Flu etc, which because of our low Immunity could be fatal.
Many thanks for all your replies regarding mask wearing.As I stated in my last message, I still wear a mask in all public places, my husband who is my main carer does the same, we have both had 8 vaccinations and to date neither of us have had COVID.
The main reason that I continue to do so, is on the advice from my Consultant, who told me that because my immune system is so compromised, if I caught COVID, it could probably be Life Threatening. !
Yes I have ben told that too. I was told not only are we at risk from Covid but the country is having an increase in Measles. It is not good for us to catch this. Parents have not been vaccinating their children anymore.
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