Source
r/nursing•
Commonusage

Advice needed. Masks

Seeking Advice

Hi all, im not a nurse but a disability support worker. One thing that occurred to me last night is how effective prolonged mask wearing actually is. As a carer, the overnight shift starts at 2pm, sleep is from 10 to just before 6. In theory 8 hours, but get real, I need a cup of coffee before im fit to do a handover!

Im supposed to wear a ordinary medical mask the whole time. Changing it as needed but, really, 16 hours in air-conditioning? Does anyone know how effective they are at protecting either me or my clients? Im thinking of getting a doctor's letter saying I have to wear an n95 mask. Im immunosuppressed as well.

Posted Jan 30, 2022, 12:39 AM UTC

29
Reneemaree•

You should be able to wear what mask you like? I’m a support worker too and they supply medical masks if we want them/don’t have our own but we can bring our own preferred one to use.

4
CommonusageOP•

Not where I work. We're all supposed to wear the same cheap masks that the company supplies. There seems to be enough right now so you can get a fresh one, but it would be worse if we had to make them last.

2
Reneemaree•

Thats terrible, sorry to hear. Is there someone higher up in the company you can ask?

1
CommonusageOP•

Not really. By their own terms they are very strict. During a covid lockdown early last year, they sacked my boss for breaking rules and visiting one of the houses. A bit rough imo as she came along to inspect fire damage that had happened the night before. And a problem with our government neither sourcing enough RATS , which we have to buy at somewhat expensive retail prices as they do not distribute them widely.

0
CorkscrewwillowBSN, RN 🍕•

We provide N-95s to our DSPs. Our struggle is getting everyone to use them consistently.

2
CommonusageOP•

Its a struggle to get people to use any mask consistently. And that's without the i forgot and falling off while sleeping. Hmm if it comes to n95 masks and being expected to sleep( but be on call) I think I'd want more money for the discomfort!

1
CorkscrewwillowBSN, RN 🍕•

Since we have, mostly, asleep overnights and residents have their own rooms seperate from where DSPs sleep, we don't make them wear a mask to sleep. That's nuts.

We do however require masking if they are awake and with the residents.

1
travelingtraveling_RN, PhD 🍕•

N95s are now readily available in the USA. Order a box. $3 for peace of mind?

1
CommonusageOP•

I would if there is no other way to get my employer to provide it. Lucky enough to live somewhere relatively free of covid. Armed with a doctor's advice and maybe my union advocating, my employer just might pay for it.

2