topic Face Masks in Cancer and COVID-19

Face Masks

Lisy — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 06:43:09 GMT

Hello

I am currently undergoing chemotherapy & today I went for my blood test before chemo tomorrow at the cancer clinic. To my surprise I was only one wearing a mask, I am not sick just wanting to protect myself re covird 19. The nurses, receptionist, other patients not wearing them! I would of thought with myself and others being immune compromised everyone entering would/should be wearing them?

Re: Face Masks

Katekat — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 22:41:54 GMT

Morning @Lisy!

Interesting, did you happen to ask the staff there at all?

What do others here think? Have you been wearing masks to treatment or even out and about?

-Kate

Re: Face Masks

Budgie — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 22:48:26 GMT

Hi Lisy,

I always wear a mask when I go out, & lately, disposable gloves. My understanding is at the moment, the authorities don't think it's airborne & so don't consider wearing masks a necessity. Pretty silly if you ask me.

Take care
Budgie

Re: Face Masks

kj — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 23:44:36 GMT

I also wear a face mask and gloves ,when out but I am only attending medical appointments, I have a ct check at the hospital today , fingers crossed.

Re: Face Masks

Katekat — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 23:45:55 GMT

All the best with the scan @kj 😘

Re: Face Masks

kj — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 23:56:50 GMT

Apologies for hijacking thread

Thanks Kate

Re: Face Masks

Budgie — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 00:09:02 GMT

There's no such thing as hijacking a thread - all input is good. 😉

Re: Face Masks

Katekat — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 00:10:05 GMT

What @Budgie said!

The forums are here to chat about anything and everything, hijack away 😘

Re: Face Masks

Dazb — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 04:00:54 GMT

I scratch my head at this and think am I the only one who is seeing the information put out and yet masks are not recommended. The facts I have seen is that a sneeze will propel large droplets out to 2m and finer mist droplets out up to 8m, another fact is the virus is spread from droplets from an infected person, either airborne or picked up from surfaces where it can survive from hours to days.

Another fact is we have to stay 1.5m away from another person.

Another fact is that WHO and the government say a mask has no benefit trying to avoid catching the virus.

Advice seems to seriously contradict the facts here.

BUT... I see an article today where someone must have told them they could be wrong about masks.

Anyway I follow my own judgement and put my mask on when going to Bunnings or the supermarket.

https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/coronavirus/2020/04/03/coronavirus-spread-through-breathing/?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=COVID-19%20-%2020200403

Re: Face Masks

lillian1 — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 05:02:48 GMT

Hi Lisy, I wore a face mask in the supermarket a couple of weeks ago, even though I wasn't sick. I asked my oncology nurses last monday , when I had chemo, if it was necessary to wear one. They said not really . I was surprised that none of them were wearing masks either. Bit of conflicting information ! Personally I think anything helps, mind you my facemask is a bit stifling and have not been able to get a lighter weight one.

Re: Face Masks

Larsen — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 19:53:10 GMT

Hello Lisy,

I have the same questions: why nurses, specialists, staff at the hospital do not wear face marks? I have acute leukeamia and is undergoing chemotherapy. Same thing: I went for blood test, X-ray etc where no one is wearing facemark. I am very worry that i can get a flu, a cold or even coronavirus especially when my white cell level is near zero. What is our right? Can we ask the doctors, nurses and other medical staff to wear facemarks? I am thinking of writing a letter to my specialists and the management of the hospital.

Thank you for sharing your concerns. I am sure many other cancer patients have the same worries.

Re: Face Masks

lillian1 — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 10:34:41 GMT

Hi Larson, I will be having chemo next monday, and will be asking my oncologist why masks are not being worn by himself and the nurses. Will let you know his answers on this. Stay safe

Re: Face Masks

Tiberius00777 — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 19:24:40 GMT

Hi. I am freaking out about the same thing. I just went for my round of chemo at Northern Hospital, Day Oncology, and the receptionist and nurses were still not wearing face masks for my protection. I had three of them at one time around me handing me tablets, taking my blood pressure, and injecting my chemo drugs and they were all being very nice asking me about my week and how was I feeling. All within 600mm of me and no face masks to protect me from any Covid, or flu, they might be carrying. One did put on a face mask but only when she was injecting me with the chemo drug - it’s in their guidelines for their protection, she explained. it was the same last week. I understand that masks are limited but why can’t the one who puts on the mask be the only one giving me tablets and taking my BP too? I know they need someone to check but they don’t need to be within 1.5 metres of me to do that. I Am terrified only of these visits.