By vgreene, 21 August, 2020 Pts w/ intellectual & developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, other sensory-processing sensitivities: Provide mask-wearing advice on case-by-case basis1
By vgreene, 21 August, 2020 Deaf or hearing-impaired pts & those who interact w/ them: Those who rely on lipreading to communicate may wear clear masks or hooded face shields, or use written communications1
By vgreene, 21 August, 2020 High-intensity activities: Anyone engaged in high-intensity activities that affect breathing (eg, running) should choose setting where social distancing & good air exchange possible (eg, outdoors)1
By vgreene, 21 August, 2020 Occupational hazard exceptions: Any setting where masks may increase risk of heat-related illness (eg, heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes), or may cause safety concerns (eg, straps may be caught in machinery): Consult w/ occupationa
By vgreene, 21 August, 2020 Physical ability exceptions: Anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove mask/face covering on their own shouldn't wear one, per CDC;1 some facial deformities may be incompatible w/ masking3
By vgreene, 21 August, 2020 Resp condition exceptions: Anyone who has trouble breathing, per CDC;1 pts w/ normal lungs and even those w/ underlying chronic lung dz should be able to wear a non-N95 facial covering w/o impact to O2 or CO2 levels, per ACCP;5 some experts argue that pts
By vgreene, 21 August, 2020 Clinicians can issue medically necessary mask exemptions at their discretion exemptions are considered a disability modification under the Americans With Disabilities Act and afford pts federal state legal protections 5 be prepared to reasonably question
By vgreene, 21 August, 2020 In public setting Wear mask face coverings WHENEVER indoors in a public space WHENEVER traveling or at a transportation hub or when outdoors and 6 ft social distancing not possible per CDC 1 At home Wear masks if household member is infected or has had re
By vgreene, 21 August, 2020 Conditions warranting in-home mask-wearing by contacts: Wear masks in presence of known/suspected COVID-19 pts.1 AAP notes particular value of home mask-wearing around “medically fragile” or “at-risk” pts2
