Care home not wearing masks

[NoFrills01]

Its optional but my care home the staff are now not wearing masks.

I have a few health risk factors, and was told I should have been on the shield list last year, I am antibiotic resident and have heart and lung issues as It is.

I caught covid in March last year and I'm still suffering with "long covid" i struggle to stay well in winter anyway, always have my flu jab as I'm vulnerable and only in my 30's.

It takes me a while to get over a cough as it is, I'm super anxious to go into work I'm the only one who wants to still wear a mask!

Its optional but I feel pressure and dont want to have to explain my health issues.

Maybe some others also feel under pressure and will be relieved to see you wearing a mask and will then start wearing one.

For what it’s worth, I think few people now think anything either way if they see someone wearing or not wearing a mask. If you focus on that rather than how you perceive people to view you, it might be easier to just keep one on and not worry about explaining. I doubt anyone will ask why you are.

Continued PPE use and infection control procedures are not currently considered optional in a care home setting:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-how-to-work-safely-in-care-homes/personal-protective-equipment-ppe-resource-for-care-workers-working-in-care-homes-during-sustained-covid-19-transmission-in-england

Your local authority, local Clinical Commissioning Group, and the CQC should be informed of the issues you've mentioned.

I've noticed this in the care home my friend is in. I'm really surprised, I'm a nurse and it's still compulsory in my hospital.