Isn’t that Illegal? Or unconstitutional? Or at least unsafe?
Intro: Unless you’re hiding under a rock, you must have seen at least one photo of Vice President Mike Pence touring the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota without wearing a mask. What are we supposed to make of that? Is that proper or unsafe or even legal? Joining us in this discussion is surgeon Charles Page MD.
Q&A:
Doctor, you are a surgeon. Have you seen or had any experiences of health care workers not wearing masks in the Coronavirus pandemic?
Yes. Unintentionally, I walked into the ER last weekend to care for a patient suffering from a Gunshot Wound to the Chest with CPR in progress. I’ve been tested recently for Coronavirus. Like Mike Pence, I know I’m not infectious. (Or at least I wasn’t at that time.)
Doctor, is there any good science behind wearing a mask out in public?
Not really. There are no prospective, randomized studies which show wearing a mask helps prevent transmission of the disease. The recommendations are based on common sense—more than anything. There is a recent study from Singapore which suggests wearing masks lowers transmission of the disease. If a person has COVID 19, a mask will catch respiratory droplets and prevent transmitting the virus into the air. There are no studies which suggest wearing a mask prevents one from catching the disease.
Are you critical of Mike Pence not wearing a mask at a hospital?
No. I’m not critical. Especially if he has been tested recently and has not been exposed to others with Coronavirus. Whether it was intentional or not, I think not wearing a mask sends a positive message. One of hope and courage. We’ve got to move forward. We can’t live our lives worrying about what may happen. As I tell my patients. You can’t stop a virus. These are uncharted waters. If you’ve been exposed then wear a mask when you have to go out. If you’ve been tested, like Mike Pence,l and know you’re not contagious, why where a mask?
Doctor, are you concerned about how the social distancing and masks are affecting our humanness in the coronavirus pandemic?
Yes, I am. Everyone has a need to connect with others. Real connection with real people. That’s the way we are wired. Whether we like it or not, wearing a mask, social distancing and not shaking hands sends a message. It says, I don’t trust you. I have had several patients ask me to take my mask off. Since I’m not contagious, I take off my mask and touch them. They are telling me that need that interaction, a touch. I’m the one at risk, not them. I’m a Christian. I think about the story about Jesus touching the leper. He took a risk. I can’t of course, heal them if they have Coronavirus, but taking off my mask (when appropriate) sends them a message that I care for them. They are important and deserve to be touched, trusted and valued.
About Dr. Charles Page:
Charles Page MD is the best guy to see on the worst day of your life. His book, A Spoonful of Courage for the Sick and Suffering, is a compilation of faith based inspirational stories which helps the ill see the possibilities in problems. The book is offered free–during the COVID 19 pandemic–on Amazon to give hope, courage and faith to those suffering in the COVID-19 pandemic. His website is Charleswpage.com
