I respectfully oppose this petition secondary to the increased health risk to our community.

My opposition to this petition is based on CDC recommendations for healthcare settings and the health risk to myself and my family, our patients and our guests. 

The sources used to attempt to prove that masks do more harm than good are laughable. The sources are either not credible, based on opinion and commentary rather than scientific studies, or in the case of scientific studies do not support the petitions. For example, in Petition #362 (Virginia Regulatory Town Hall View Petition) this source is used to cite why wearing a mask is more harmful for the patient: Effects of Prolonged Use of Facemask on Healthcare Workers in Tertiary Care Hospital During COVID-19 Pandemic - PMC (nih.gov). I read this study and it is based on the use of masks for healthcare workers, not patients. The adverse effects ranged from nasal discomfort to nasal congestion. Hardly life-threatening risks. The article itself states "Since facemasks are essential to protect us from COVID-19, certain strategies can be followed to reduce the heat burden due to its prolonged usage such as encouraging nasal breathing, pre-use refrigeration of the respirator " Also, healthcare workers wear masks for 8-12 hours during the day. Patients are only asked to wear masks while they are in treatment - approximately 15-90 minutes. 

This petition disregards access to health care for immunocompromised individuals and high-risk patients including children too young for a vaccine.  

This petition disregards our need for a full and accurate health history when making decisions for patient care. 

This petition dismisses the need for precautions against public health diseases.