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Chuck Craton, M.D.'s avatar

For 9 months your system couldn't get you and n95? Sure, I wasn't changing it every patient or even every day, but I was refitted (as it had been years) and had one on 3/13/20. And have you considered you contracted it BEFORE we thought it was here or could test for it, and were immune? Thats as easily plausible as your mask hypothesis.

As a practicing internist, it makes me sad to see people in masks and quite honestly I lose some respect in providers that wear them all day long. Last month I took my son to his pulmonologist, and before rooming they checked mine and his forehead temp. I looked at the medical assistant and said "really?". We have to get our country away from the voodoo, regardless of what kind of PTSD everyone has.

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Randall Burchell's avatar

I saw patients for over 30 years in general practice as well as 10 years or so in hospital. I never wore a mask and never but once thought I was sick from a patient. I think doctors are a select group with immunity over time due to constant low grade , albeit brief, exposure. Probably not the best group to base a theory of effectiveness of masks on, although tempting. The brief exposure, the washing of hands etc definitely would reduce risk. Like most, I would get a cold from my kids or wife. It’s also possible that those with better immune systems self select in a rigorous educational track, which requires an immune system that functions well when stressed. The best group to test , I believe, would be childless singles in a crowded work environment, not healthcare workers .

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