학술논문

Universal Masking in Health Care Settings.
Document Type
Article
Source
Annals of Internal Medicine. Dec2023, Vol. 176 Issue 12, p1-3. 3p.
Subject
*UNIVERSAL healthcare
*POOR communities
*SOCIAL marginality
*VACCINATION coverage
*INFECTION control
Language
ISSN
0003-4819
Abstract
This article discusses the ongoing debate surrounding universal masking in healthcare settings. While some argue for the elimination of universal masking, the authors express concern about the potential negative consequences, particularly for socially disadvantaged communities. These communities have already experienced disparities throughout the pandemic, including higher infection rates, lower vaccination coverage, and limited access to testing and treatments. The authors disagree with the viewpoint that eliminates universal masking, as they believe it will further concentrate the risk and burden of COVID-19 among the most disadvantaged, potentially damaging public trust in the healthcare system. They emphasize the importance of including diverse voices in health policy decisions and involving both infection control professionals and community members in discussions about mask requirements. [Extracted from the article]