To mask or not to mask?

March 21, 2020 Providence Health Team

Caregivers need masks to treat the ill. That's a fact. People who are showing symptoms also need masks to protect others. Another fact.

There's been some confusion about who should wear masks during the coronavirus outbreak, and we gathered some insights from our clinical experts on the matter.

Net: If you have the symptoms and find yourself sneezing or coughing, you should wear a mask. COVID-19 is transmitted through droplets, so protecting others from your sneezes or coughs with a mask is recommended.

Here's a little video from our Talk with a doc podcast series about this topic:

Unless you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 - fever, sneezing, coughing - do others a favor and save the masks for those who need it most - patients with the virus and the caregivers who are fighting to save their lives.

Your community and society overall will thank you!

To learn more about the importance of masks, especially for caregivers treating patients, visit the Providence 100 million mask website.

Stay safe and wash your hands :)

About the Author

The Providence Health Team brings together caregivers from diverse backgrounds to bring you clinically-sound, data-driven advice to help you live your happiest and healthiest selves.
More Content by Providence Health Team

Welcome to your journey for creating a healthier you

To mask or not to mask?

About the Author

Previous Article

Next Article

To mask or not to mask?

About the Author

Previous Article

Next Article

Other content in this Stream

Oregon is continuing to prioritize phase 1a, which includes health care personnel, residents in long-term care or treatment programs and certain other high-risk individuals.

While the COVID-19 vaccine is critical to stopping the pandemic, it is not the only effort.

Providence and its family of organizations are preparing to administer COVID-19 vaccines, when available.

Get fact-based information from public health and medical experts about the COVID-19 vaccine

There are several keys to building and sustaining successful telehealth programs at health systems, hospitals and physician practices.

With its new DetectionMap, Providence is making information about local COVID-19 infections available to the people of the communities in which it operates.

Health systems across the nation ramped up telehealth services this year due to the pandemic, and the rapid growth of these services has highlighted several opportunities and challenges.

The uptick in telehealth and virtual care has many benefits for patients during the pandemic. But there are also challenges and risks. Todd Czartoski answers.

Learn about the important safety measures you should take to protect you and your baby during COVID-19 and what to expect in the delivery room.

As the COVID surge continues, we are returning to our regionwide visitation policy of one visitor per patient stay.

Due to the dramatic surge in COVID cases over the past few weeks, there will be temporary limits on surgeries and invasive procedures starting Dec. 3.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Providence Cancer Institute researchers approval to begin a first-in-human clinical trial of a vaccine to protect against COVID-19.

COVID cases are skyrocketing in our communities. We need to make immediate changes to keep each other and our patients safe.

Investigators present latest research in cancer immunotherapy, receive noteworthy awards, at the 35th annual meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer.

We sat down with four women to talk about the stresses they’re facing as the COVID pandemic wears on—and how they are learning to cope.

Learn about the resources Providence provides to fight the flu, including videos, web pages, Facebook Live events and infographics.

COVID-19 is creating prolonged stress in many of us. Learn the impact it can have on your health and how you can better manage your stress.

We’re all facing – and sometimes struggling – with the constant nature of change brought by the pandemic. Discover how you cope and boost your mental health.

We’re all facing – and sometimes struggling – with the constant nature of change brought by the pandemic. Discover how you cope and boost your mental health.

New research shows early intervention could slow the progression of COVID-19.