Dan Gillmor
The medical practice I've patronized for almost 30 years in the Bay Area lifted its mask mandate for its employees and patients. IMO it's grossly irresponsible, and will lead to more illness and deaths -- especially among older patients. I'm actively looking for a practice that requires masks, but suspect -- given America's total capitulation to covid -- I won't find one.
May 21, 2023 at 8:49pmWeb
Show threadDan GillmorMay 21, 2023

I don't give a damn if I'm the only one indoors with other people who's wearing a mask (and that's been the case a number of times lately). I've avoided covid so far and, as someone in a higher-risk group, will do my best to maintain that as long as possible.

I've been happy to protect others, but Americans overall have decided that their personal convenience far outweighs the health and lives of millions of others,

Show threadJeff JarvisMay 21, 2023
@dangillmor I'm with you.
Show threadkcarruthersMay 21, 2023
@dangillmor I just flew return Sydney to Singapore and was the only person masked on the plane
Show threadikuoMay 22, 2023
@kcarruthers @dangillmor I find this soooooo discouraging. It's bad enough that masks are rare to non-existent on domestic flights in the U.S., but I honestly thought that at least international flights in and out of Asia would still have high masking rates.😪
Show threadBobbyholidayMay 22, 2023
@kcarruthers @dangillmor the airline industry has been terrible, they tout how good the ventilation is but neglect to mention that system doesn't get turned on while you are stuck on the runway.
Show threadaardvarkMay 21, 2023
@dangillmor same
Show threadHis Churlessness HimselfMay 21, 2023
@dangillmor My partner and I have been masking since the start. Everywhere. Not caught it yet. I am also in a risk group. I also see most everyone walking around in closed spaces with no mask.
I will continue to mask up. The give-in to this is simply not understandable.
Show threadRonnie Facelift McDarbyMay 22, 2023
@threeforks @dangillmor I understand it as people trusting the vaccine, no?
Show threadHis Churlessness HimselfMay 23, 2023
@FaceliftMcDarby @dangillmor which vaccine? I believe you try to stay up with currently issued shots as much as you can.
Show threadKaloMay 21, 2023
@dangillmor I had an unmasked person giving me my COVID booster last week, and she pretended that she couldn't hear me through my mask. She knew I was there because my immune system is compromised, and still had a mocking tone. I'm to the "fuck off" phase of caring at this point. My family has stayed safe with masks.
Show threadBiggles 20X6!May 21, 2023
@dangillmor I'm finding I'm catching fewer colds. Given colds along with my asthma usually use up all my sick leave yearly, masks are an absolute boon regardless of the covid risk
Show threadAnand RMay 21, 2023
@dangillmor I accompanied my wife to the clinic last week and when I got there realized I'd forgotten my mask. Never mind, I thought, it's a hospital, they'll have masks at the door. Imagine my surprise to find that no one was masking inside not even the medical professionals I met.
Show threadKevanMay 22, 2023
@dangillmor I'll wear a mask if asked, but honestly nobody's asked me to since last year. Health facilities and hospitals probably still require them.
Show threadVirtuallyTeboMay 22, 2023
@dangillmor When the Titanic was sinking, no amount of effort was going to stop it from its destiny. This boat called 'humanity' is sinking! Find your own life raft, fill it with whomever wants to be saved and pity the rest. Covid was pandemic transformed into an mis-inf war that was lost long ago when Trump was first elected. This boat is sinking!
Show threadBrooke BinkowskiMay 22, 2023
@dangillmor Not to brag, but this was me over the weekend (photo by Joe Orellana)
Show threadDon MeyerMay 22, 2023
@brooklynmarie @dangillmor
Your bragging is valid in my book!
Show threadStybba3019May 22, 2023
@dangillmor I always mask in public spaces now. It's not just Covid, it's to avoid respiratory illnesses in general. I'm an at risk person and appreciate being able to add another layer of defense to maintain my own health. I'm vaxxed, too.
Show threadMorgan DavisMay 22, 2023
@dangillmor While in Korea in April, they lifted required masks in public transit (and btw, their system is phenomenal). The day after, most still wore their masks, including me. I’m fully vaccinated, as I’m sure were most of the SK’s, too. It occurred to me then that if I were in a group where only one person was masked, it is a minor effort to do the same, as that person may have concerns/reasons. I don’t see that as imposing on my liberty. It is a simple courtesy.
Show threadCoolBlenderKittenMay 21, 2023
@dangillmor
I agree, totally irresponsible!
Show threadBruce MirkenMay 21, 2023
@dangillmor The hospital whose post-COVID clinic I go to just lifted its mask mandate. My next appointment is in July. Will providers treating #LongCovid patients keep masking? If not, I will scream bloody murder.
Show threadMichael VilainMay 21, 2023

@dangillmor Kaiser did that too (unless we're talking about the same medical group). I wouldn't remove my mask when I went for a MD checkup and PT.

I also noticed that while the MD didn't wear one, all the nurses did.

Show threadswtyndall.notwhatwethinkMay 21, 2023
@dangillmor That is really disappointing. I was in a large art gallery in san diego last night with about 50+ people milling around and I was the only one wearing a mask.
Show threadBill JanssenMay 21, 2023

@dangillmor
Let me suggest a real mask:

https://gb.msasafety.com/Air-Purifying-Respirators-%28APR%29/Elastomeric-Half-Masks/Advantage%C2%AE-900-Elastomeric-Half-Mask-Respirator/p/000100000200001190?locale=en

I'm usually the only one wearing a mask, but this is what I'm using.

Advantage 900 Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirator | MSA Safety | United Kingdom

The MSA Advantage 900 Elastomeric half-mask respirator provides healthcare professionals, essential workers and first responders a secure protection solution.

Show threadskryMay 21, 2023

@dangillmor Here’s a crowdsourced list of Covid-conscious Bay Area businesses via @violetblue’s Pandemic Roundup. There’s a tab for medical/healthcare orgs.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DGzvwWN3IhygotJED06xlazSbUwgfS7O6zF8_hNLo6U/edit#gid=0

Covid Conscious Living in the Bay Area - Google Drive

Show threadDan GillmorMay 22, 2023
@skry Thanks -- @violetblue
Show threadVanessa NaylonMay 24, 2023
@skry thank you, do you know roughly how often all the existing entries get checked for accuracy?
Show threadskryMay 24, 2023
@vnaylon I have no idea if anyone is checking, so I would call ahead or ask Reddit, etc.
Show threadVanessa NaylonMay 25, 2023
@skry thank you
Show threadSamhain NightMay 21, 2023
@dangillmor My clinic removed it’s mask mandate, 2 weeks later several drs were out sick and they reinstated the mask mandate. But they take their masks off to talk on the phone at the front desk. 🤦🏻‍♀️🙄
Show threadJulesceltMay 21, 2023

@samhainnight @dangillmor I mask in doctors offices because that's where sick people go...

My Lupus has been in remission for ~5yrs and I won't risk setting my immune system into overdrive just because someone might be uncomfortable by my mask.

Show threadRevJeberMay 21, 2023
@dangillmor
My primary care physician's office still requires masks but the VA hospital doesn't, and that's a huge mistake.
Show threadCavyherdMay 22, 2023

@dangillmor

Even the one (1) "covid safe" dentist in my area lifted its mask requirement a while ago. 😕

Show threadreprobateMay 22, 2023
@dangillmor I am fairly certain you won't find anything. My ex is immuno-compromised and is on oxygen. She has to insist anyone treating her wear a mask. They gripe and grumble under the breath, but she says they do comply. She claims it works if you insist upon it.