Universal Masking in Health Care Settings.

This article discusses the ongoing debate surrounding universal masking in healthcare settings. While some argue for the elimination of universal masking, the authors express concern about the potential negative consequences, particularly for socially disadvantaged communities. These communities have already experienced disparities throughout the pandemic, including higher infection rates, lower vaccination coverage, and limited access to testing and treatments. The authors disagree with the viewpoint that eliminates universal masking, as they believe it will further concentrate the risk and burden of COVID-19 among the most disadvantaged, potentially damaging public trust in the healthcare system. They emphasize the importance of including diverse voices in health policy decisions and involving both infection control professionals and community members in discussions about mask requirements. [Extracted from the article]