Doctors recommend masking indoors
I had recent appts with my PCP and also my allergist. Both strongly recommended that I wear my mask indoors with other people. I asked why do many older people not wear a mask? I was told mask fatigue. Some of these people I know have more serious issues than I do.
I am 78 and have had uncomplicated moderate asthma since the age of 3. I get some strange looks but it beats an infection.
At 58 I was diagnosed with moderate persistent asthma two years ago (my mom got a milder version at 46 … so there is probably a genetic influence). I travel a bit for work and going forward will always wear a mask in airports and on planes 😀
thanks for helping to make masking acceptable in public! I continue to mask as well, especially when I'm traveling. I do not want to catch an infection or pass one along to someone else. ~ Lorene, asthma.net team member 
I wish there wasn't such a stigma surrounding masking, even prior to covid. My husband went to grad school on a campus with a diverse community, and some students wore masks consistently in flu season, etc. There's no harm in it! I still mask when I ride the bus, and probably would on a plane as well. At the very least it helps me keep my hands out of my face, ha! -Melissa, asthma.net team
Hi
and thanks for your question. This is just my personal opinion, but before the pandemic masks were really only used in the U.S. by people who were extremely immunocompromised, like those going through chemotherapy or that have severe asthma. I was happy to see that COVID helped masking become part of the culture, but, like your doctors have said, mask fatigue has erased any steps we took forward.
I also think people believe they won't get sick, or if they do they will be just fine.
I continue to mask in certain situations and just got my flu and COVID booster vaccines yesterday. I am taking no chances! ~ Lorene, asthma.net teamI have friends who think masks are useless for preventing Covid. I believe they help a lot but are not a silver bullet.
I have a friend who is an RN. She was in charge of one wing of a SNF for many years. She and all the staff on that wing wore masks because she believed they were effective. Patients in her wing got far fewer incidents of the flu and other respiratory illnesses than those wings who did not mask. (This was pre pandemic) Just one example of the effectiveness of masks.
Hi again, john, and thanks for lending your support for 'masking'. Working in the hospital setting as long as I have, I cannot say enough about the effectiveness of masks. There is no question (from my perspective), that proper masks help in the prevention and spread of infection.
I continue to mask today in certain situations - the hospital or any health care setting and, outside the health care setting in closed areas with large groups of people. I believe it continues to be the most effective way to protect oneself.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)
I mask while out in public places. At restaurants I wear a mask to my table and when leaving and try to pick a booth rather than a table so I am out of the path of most diners. At work I wear a mask the whole time except to eat and drink and try to space myself from others at those times. While Covid is a concern, I honestly get pretty sick from just a cold or the flu. Both give me asthma flare-ups and lead to prednisone and antibiotics. I prefer not to get sick. When outdoors I only mask if in a large group or if I am close to lots of people. Maybe I am going overboard but I would rather stay healthy. Since mask quality matters, I wear KN95 masks.
I just got my flu shot. I needed to be protected for my trip next year because it will be the start of their flu season when I travel so per my doctor held off until late December so I will hopefully still have protection when traveling. The news has said RSV is picking up in my area. More problematic for babies, young children and the elderly but I have known a few people outside that group to get quite sick from RSV. I generally only get a runny nose and scratchy throat but would like to avoid it as well. I hear you, shellzoo and am pleased to hear you are taking proper precautions. Like you, I also got my flu shot (2 weeks ago), and this past Monday, also received my 3rd COVID booster.
From what I've read and seen in the news, this season we are all anticipating an increase in the viruses here in the country - COVID, flu and the respiratory syncytial virus too. It's always good to be as safe as one can be!
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator asthma.net)
