Timnit Gebru (she/her).Jul 23, 2023

An immunocompromised person in my family got COVID for the first time, AT THE HOSPITAL because they stopped requiring ANY PRECAUTIONS. No masks, no nothing.

They can't avoid the hospital so that means they'll just have to roll the dice each time they go?

What a cruel world.

Immunocompromised means the vaccine doesn't work as well. So what the current US policy says is equivalent to "you're on your own" good luck! 😡😡😡

Show threadwhitneyJul 23, 2023
@timnitGebru it makes me so furious that *hospitals*, of all places, have stopped requiring masks. Like, as a high-risk person myself (still dealing with the aftermath of my first COVID infection back in March), I’m upset about every indoor place that’s stopped requiring them, but a freaking HOSPITAL?? Like, why would masks EVER not make sense in a hospital setting? I’m so, so sorry for your family member, and I hope they come out of this ok.
Show threadChris FerdinandiJul 24, 2023
@writerethink @timnitGebru Brigham and Women’s goes a step further. Masks not require but if YOU choose to wear one you have to put on one of their shitty surgicals.
Show threadA Vernal PoolJul 24, 2023
@cferdinandi @writerethink @timnitGebru
They had that at our hospital too-not that they require them now, infuriatingly, but when they did-and I put it on, walked away from the front desk, then put my KN95 on and put that stupid blue one on top.
Show threadDeb has moved! (see profile) 🇨🇦Jul 24, 2023
@westerling @cferdinandi @writerethink @timnitGebru I did the same at a Toronto hospital. At their suggestion, which was a relief, as I didn't want to take mine off.
Show threadDeb has moved! (see profile) 🇨🇦Jul 24, 2023

@westerling @cferdinandi @writerethink @timnitGebru note: when I wear my elastomeric mask there's no question, LOL.

It's a [breathe] mask, made in Ontario, shipping only in Canada iirc. In hot sunny weather yesterday, I walked 5 blocks after exiting the subway before I remembered to take it off. Easy breathing, not sweaty :-)

Show threadChris Ferdinandi
@deborahh @westerling @writerethink @timnitGebru I wish I could say that would work here, but it wouldn't. They simply fall back to "it's our policy," even when I pointed to the room of unmasked people and pointed out how illogical it was. Then pointed to the N95 logo on my clean, brand new mask.
Jul 24, 2023 at 3:25pmWeb
Show threadChris FerdinandiJul 25, 2023
@deborahh @westerling @writerethink @timnitGebru Also fun was the dude flirting with one of the receptionists who called me a "nut job" for still masking and told me to pick my battles and walk away.