Wear Your Mask!
We are currently almost seven months into a global pandemic that is beyond the scale of anything that has happened in our lifetimes. While Oregon hasn’t been affected as widely as many other states, we’ve still had mini-outbreaks, including one in our hospital that claimed the life of a member. Many of us have friends and family who have fought or are still fighting this deadly virus. This writer’s brother is in the hospital in North Carolina due to COVID-19 for the second time right now. We know that many of you have similar stories.
It is vital that we continue to be vigilant in our efforts to curb this virus’s spread. Thankfully, the simple acts of wearing a mask, maintaining social distance and washing our hands are incredibly effective. By continuing to do these things, we can continue to keep ourselves, our families, our coworkers and our communities safe.
OHSU Human Resources has asked us to share the below information on wearing your mask while at work.
When in doubt, wear your mask or face covering! OHSU’s requirement is generally to wear a mask at all times and in all areas. There are very few exceptions to this rule.
If you have an office and are in it alone with the door closed, you do not need to wear your mask. When you take breaks with coworkers, wear a mask. If you’re eating with coworkers, stay six feet apart from each other; if there’s not enough room to stay six feet apart and you need to take your mask off, find another space. This guidance falls in line with guidance from the governor’s office as well.
Remember that cloth masks are approved for use when not in a patient-care setting. Health-care workers may reference the COVID-19 PPE Conservation document for guidance on how and when to re-use or extend use of procedural mask.
The following mini-stories describe real scenarios in which employees should keep their mask or face covering on:
I am talking on the phone in the hospital hallway; no one is within six feet of me. I should keep my mask on because I’m in a patient-care area and other people may be coming and going at any time.
I am in a large study-hall area with about a dozen other people; we are more than six feet apart. I should keep my mask on because it helps reduce respiratory droplets in the air.
I am a physician sitting next to a trainee, looking at radiology images. I should keep my mask on because I’m working within six feet of a colleague.
I am walking from my lab in Richard Jones Hall to my car in Garage D. I should keep my mask on because it sets a good example to patients and colleagues, and I may need to speak to a visitor who has a way-finding question.
I am grabbing a bite to eat at the Café on Third. I should keep my mask on until I sit down to eat (distanced, of course) because it follows the masks-on policy, and I am likely to be within six feet of other people.