Several Illinois hospitals requiring masks as respiratory infections climb A mask requirement is in effect at area hospitals, including Rush University Medical Center, Rush Copley Medical Center and Rush Oak Park Hospital. By NBC Chicago Staff and NBC News • Published December 30, 2024 • Updated on December 30, 2024 at 4:55 pm Multiple Illinois health systems have implemented full or partial mask mandates amid a continuing uptick in respiratory infections across the state. Rush University Medical Center, in a note on its website, said visitors and staff must wear hospital-approved masks in some areas, citing increased levels of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu and RSV.
An “uptick” is what they call it when half the staff at any job has been out sick during the last month or so. When masks are used, whole strains of flu virus get wiped out. Prevention works with infectious disease.
NPR – The flu shot is different this year, thanks to COVID October 17, 2024 By Sarah Boden “no confirmed flu cases caused by the Influenza B/Yamagata lineage since spring 2020. And the Food and Drug Administration decided this year that the strain now poses little to no threat to human health. Scientists have concluded that widespread physical distancing and masking practiced during the early days of COVID-19 appear to have pushed B/Yamagata into oblivion.”
COVID isn’t seasonal so we need masks in healthcare year round.
My letter to reps:
Covid isn’t seasonal, we need to keep masks in healthcare year round. People are getting sick year round. Masks eliminated a whole strain of flu. Mask requirements year round in hospitals, urgent cares, and primary care just makes sense. Why wait until things get so bad and it ruins holidays, vacations, and takes away loved ones?