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Dr. Lucky Tran :verified: 10 months ago • mastodon (AP)

NYS DoH just sent a reminder that healthcare workers are required to wear a mask if they haven't gotten their flu shot.

It makes zero sense they are ignoring COVID and not requiring masks for everyone. COVID levels are high, and you can still spread it if you are vaccinated.

The New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald declares
influenza to be prevalent in New York State for the 2023-24 influenza season, as of the date of
this announcement. In accordance with Section 2.59 of the New York State Sanitary Code (10
NYCRR § 2.59), all healthcare and residential facilities and agencies regulated pursuant to
Article 28, 36, or 40 of the Public Health Law, shall ensure that all personnel, as defined in the
regulation, not vaccinated against influenza for the current influenza season wear a surgical or
procedure mask while in areas where patients or residents are typically present. This
declaration shall remain in effect until the Commissioner declares influenza no longer prevalent
in New York State.
At this time, please activate your facility’s or agency’s policy and procedure to ensure
compliance with 10 NYCRR § 2.59.

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Dr. Lucky Tran :verified: 10 months ago • mastodon (AP)

The healthcare worker mask mandate for flu existed for years before COVID without controversy.

But health departments are refusing to follow the science and enact mask mandates for COVID—which is more prevalent and kills more people than the flu—because it's "too political."

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Mx Amber Alex (she/it) 10 months ago • mastodon (AP)

that's what's extra infuriating: everyone's so obsessed with violently enforcing their "COVID is over" narrative, mask mandates and conventions are being torn down even where they were common before COVID!

Just a few months ago, friends told me about people refusing to wear respirators in an asbestos-contaminated building. Asbestos!

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