Had my first healthcare worker refuse to mask My chart says I’m immune compromised & require staff to mask. The…

Had my first healthcare worker refuse to mask My chart says I’m immune compromised & require staff to mask. The facility had a policy that if asked, staff will wear I was told “no I need to breathe to do my job”. I stood firm & said I’m high risk and masks are required 🧵

They declined again & said they’re “claustrophobic”. I said “I’m sorry to hear that but you work in healthcare. Being able to wear a mask is a requirement of the job. Please put one on before coming near me” A firm no. They refused to check my chart. Refused to show empathy /2

What I did next not all patients would be comfortable with, but I was there for a test that meant this HCW would be in my face for an extended time I was also visibly sick & had passed out once due to low blood pressure. Putting me at risk for their own comfort was NOT ok /3

I said “no one comes near me without a mask. If you’re unwilling to accommodate my disability, go find me someone who is” They were NOT happy. Stormed out and came back with another HCW who was wearing a mask. /4

When they returned they refused to leave the room. I asked repeatedly & said I was uncomfortable with them and didn’t want extra people around for the exam. They said I was being “unreasonable”. Given they stayed across the room and I was wearing an N99 I stopped fighting /5

at that point I just wanted the test done so I could leave. I was exhausted, disappointed and felt disrespected. Everyone who works in a hospital setting is required to be able to Don and doff a mask. If this person genuinely couldn’t, they shouldn’t be seeing patients /6

When I went to leave I told them, firmly but politely, that if they genuinely can’t do this small thing to protect the most vulnerable patients they should reconsider working in healthcare I’ve never seen someone sneer like that. I thought flames would shoot out of their ears /7

I asked for their full name to lodge an official complaint and they refused. It’s hard to believe this is where we’re at. Before Covid I never had a healthcare worker refuse to mask. I also noticed this HCW wasn’t wearing gloves when the others were. /8

I took detailed notes the moment I exited the hospital so that I could lodge a complaint without the name, but the experience robbed me of energy Not every chronically ill patient would be able to lodge complaint or push for a masked HCW the way I was. Nor should we have to /9

This interaction will feature prominently in my next article about masks in healthcare. I need all HCWs to understand the privilege & responsibility they have to their patients. We put our lives in your hands. Your comfort or personal politics must be left outside the hospital

If you missed the first article in my masks in healthcare series, you can read it below. It’s a Plea to Healthcare Workers from Vulnerable Patients. Please respect the trust we’re placing in you and wear a mask to keep us safe: disabledginger.com/p/a-plea-to-ma…

The replies are devastating. I appreciate everyone who’s offered support & slowly replying everyone else… this was a hospital setting. Masks are part of the job. I can’t “just stay home” from life saving care. If you found this thread triggering, re-evaluate your priorities

I’m working on an article about how we can create “spoon saving” online spaces that foster community without zapping energy. The replies on this post highlight why it’s necessary. If you’re struggling, don’t read them. If you’re a HCW, please consider masking for all patients

For anyone who’s read these replies and is struggling to manage their spoons while using socials…here’s my piece on spoon saving tips & tricks to create safe online spaces We shouldn’t have to give up online connection… so let’s build better together! disabledginger.com/p/spoon-saving…