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Thursday, March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024

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Letter: Keep mask mandate in health offices

By Stephanie Wick, VANCOUVER
Published: March 9, 2023, 6:00am

Oregon and Washington have announced that the mask mandate for medical facilities will end on April 3, despite the fact that masks are necessary to reduce the spread of respiratory diseases.

As an immunosuppressed person, this change has removed the last place where my health and life are protected and valued. I am unable to develop antibodies from a vaccine, and the antibody treatments for COVID-19 are no longer authorized for use in the U.S. I have no protection from COVID-19, and I fall into the highly likely to die category.

My family still lives in isolation like it’s 2020. We had to adapt by home-schooling my child, working remotely, only socializing outdoors with few people, and utilizing pickup and delivery services for purchases. We do not go indoors with unmasked people. And this strategy works: I have not been infected with COVID-19.

But I have to get medical care. Frequently. It is reasonable to expect that measures to prevent the spread of disease will be taken at medical facilities. I am calling on our governor and representatives to correct this mistake. I am calling on hospitals and medical facilities to provide equitable and safe medical care for everyone. Continue mask requirements for medical facilities after April 3.

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