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I was asked by @VuMedi to discuss HOW health professionals should advocate for masking in their practice, communities and on social media to avoid the #infodemic. Why is this important? #medtwitter #nursetwitter 1/n https://twitter.com/evebmd/status/1296446294806990851
We know misinformation/the #infodemic is a problem. But, health professionals ARE trusted sources of information! A @GallupNews in 2020 shows that 4 of 5 most trusted professions in America are healthcare workers. @WolfsonD @DrSimpsonHSR https://www.statista.com/chart/12420/americas-most-and-least-trusted-professions/
In short, normalize asking about masking.
Do people need masks? Are they wearing masks when they leave their house? Are others wearing masks around them? These questions will also help uncover barriers people are facing & help them. https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/time-mask-5-keys-effective-exam-room-talk-patients @drricardocorrea
Do people need masks? Are they wearing masks when they leave their house? Are others wearing masks around them? These questions will also help uncover barriers people are facing & help them. https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/time-mask-5-keys-effective-exam-room-talk-patients @drricardocorrea
Avoid judgment and lead with EMPATHY. Address why folks may have a hard time masking- do they need a different type of cloth mask? https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/7-questions-patients-might-ask-about-managing-risk-and-wearing-masks nice piece with @PreetiNMalani
Also another nice piece by @AAMCtoday on the need for empathy in approaching patients about masking https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/science-and-psychology-behind-masking-prevent-spread-covid-19 cc @AtulGroverMD
Also discuss the WHY. Masks are not a political issue- but a public health one. It is important to wear one because you may be contagious before you get sick and can make others sick. @evebmd @LJoyZ_MD https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/06/masks-are-not-a-partisan-issue-they-are-a-public-health-issue-americamaskup.html
They may even help you from getting as sick. Great piece by @monicaghandi9 in @ConversationUS h/t @WrayCharles https://theconversation.com/cloth-masks-do-protect-the-wearer-breathing-in-less-coronavirus-means-you-get-less-sick-143726
Masks are good for the economy. Can help us avoid 5% GDP loss or $1 trillion. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/face-mask-wearing-save-money/
This is a point @emilymicheleL has really driven home in Illinois. Also why business leaders also support masking @uschamber @RILAtweets
https://www.uschamber.com/letters-congress/joint-letter-business-leaders-call-president-vp-and-nga-lead-face-covering-concerns
This is a point @emilymicheleL has really driven home in Illinois. Also why business leaders also support masking @uschamber @RILAtweets
https://www.uschamber.com/letters-congress/joint-letter-business-leaders-call-president-vp-and-nga-lead-face-covering-concerns
Highlight that everyone masking helps protect families, including our children and those at risk like older persons and those with chronic conditions. This is especially important as schools open. Some helpful messaging here http://www.discovercathedralcity.com/mask-up-to-protect-your-family/
Of course, not everyone will be convinced but that is not a reason not to engage. Like vaccines and the incredible work @NicoleB_MD does, focus less on those completely against the idea but more on the mask-hesitant. h/t @marlaclayman @ShikhaJainMD https://medium.com/@ShikhaJainMD/misinformation-and-masking-salvaging-the-message-339270f8d4f
Keep in mind that you are advocating for everyone to mask so those that are privileged do not harm our BIPOC communities who are at greatest risk- great point by @garthwalkermd on @YahooNews cc @alikhan28 https://twitter.com/garthwalkermd/status/1294353844114259969?s=20
I know some are fearful of engaging. Remember you are not alone. The house of medicine is united for masking. This includes AMA, ANA, AHA and also CMSS led by @HelenBurstin which represents ~800K doctors across 45 specialties endorses masking. https://twitter.com/HelenBurstin/status/1278702274081161216?s=20
And one easy way to advocate is to use these easy tools from @AmerMedicalAssn to advocate for #maskup on social media including sample tweets and infographics here https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/coronavirus/mask-stop-spread-covid-19
And *if* you want to learn more about potential policy solutions to support masking, our piece in @Health_Affairs with my formidable coauthors @meganranney @HelenBurstin @ShikhaJainMD shares some of ideas and responses do highlight nuances. https://twitter.com/FutureDocs/status/1290990183643598848?s=20
Another piece from legal scholars on the topic of masks in @JAMA_current also shares similar and different strategies but there are paths forward. https://twitter.com/FutureDocs/status/1292899090146250754?s=20
Finally, props to all those on #medtwitter advocating for masks out there including @HansaBhargavaMD who helped me write this piece about our role in clearing up the message and how folks like @AmyOxentenkoMD are too! #maskup #masks4all https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/933604
cc some mask advocates:) @drjessigold @choo_ek @sharon_markman @bruce_y_lee @CarlosdelRio7 @ETSshow @neel_shah @lall_bhavna @arghavan_salles @lindsleininger @MDaware @lall_bhavna @AmeetRKini @laxswamy @freckledpedidoc @drjaysheree @gradydoctor @MS_Martinez_MD @traependergrast
