[magnus]

Best use for a mask is to prevent others from getting sick if you asymptomatically have the virus.  Masks are just one part of contact precautions that healthy people ought to use to prevent infection from others who are sick.  These also include gowns, gloves, face shields and hand-washing before and after patient contacts, and (this seems quaint now) changing PPE between patients.

BC

Sadly, some hospitals (I know of at least one) are still prohibiting their docs from wearing masks for routine clinic visits (they worry it will scare the patients).  This includes visits where the doc is sitting within an arms length of the patient's face.  Egad!

[magnus]

Best use for a mask is to prevent others from getting sick if you asymptomatically have the virus.  Masks are just one part of contact precautions that healthy people ought to use to prevent infection from others who are sick.  These also include gowns, gloves, face shields and hand-washing before and after patient contacts, and (this seems quaint now) changing PPE between patients.

BC

Sadly, some hospitals (I know of at least one) are still prohibiting their docs from wearing masks for routine clinic visits (they worry it will scare the patients).  This includes visits where the doc is sitting within an arms length of the patient's face.  Egad!