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Post by SweetieBugs on Sept 22, 2020 20:24:04 GMT
I know this is crazy, right??? My primary care doctor has not been wearing a mask in her office.
I've been seeing her NP (who is virtually the only person in the office wearing a mask) but she just left the practice and I have an important appointment this week that can't be skipped or put off. I'm in the middle of a medical situation that won't wait while I find another primary care doctor so there isn't really a choice. Should I say at the reception desk that I would like the doctor to wear a mask?? She will need to physically examine part my body so it will be "up close and personal".
How crazy is this!!! I know it will be better to be embarrassed than ill or dead from COVID so I'll have to pull up my big girl panties but I don't like being put in this situation. I will definitely be leaving this practice as soon as I can make arrangements. I have a feeling that the mask situation is why the NP left. She was so good that I've been seeing her for all of my general health care for 7 years.
UPDATE: It was worse than I expected. I haven't seen my doctor in probably 8 years as I've been seeing her NP who is fantastic (she's been wearing a mask since the very beginning). Unfortunately, the NP just recently left the practice so I had to see the doctor. 3 out of the 6 office staff and PA's were not wearing masks and then the doctor breezed in not wearing a mask. She say's "I hope you're having a great year" and I say, "I've been better". She looks at me with a completely baffled expression and asks why. I say, "because I'm here seeing you about this (will need breast lumpectomies for a pre-cancer breast disease I was just diagnosed with and was there to get a referral to a surgeon), COVID has really made it a difficult year and my husband died 4 months ago". That made her say, "oh well, yes, that is something". Anyway, I asked her if she could tell me a bit about why she wasn't wearing a mask and she WENT OFF on the whole situation. Masks are completely ineffective, studies have show they are ineffective, blah, blah, blah, government totally overblowing this, ruining the economy for the next generation, fear mongering, not a big deal, asymptomatic people barely shed the virus and are not a threat. She would have to wear a mask all day long and that would be bad for her health (she is a very healthy looking mid to late 50's woman-trim, excellent physical shape, etc.) She also said something pretty heartless about it was unfortunate but inevitable about what happened in nursing homes and she's been called heartless.
JESUS on a bike!!! I'm just stunned beyond belief. So, she talks through my biopsy reports and then gives me a referral to a surgeon but tells me he has horrible reviews because he has a really mean office staff but he is excellent at what he does. Well, that's just brilliant. She wanted to make sure to refer me to someone that specializes or does a lot of work with the breast which is definitely what I want. It seems like in the entire area of Sacramento, in my insurance group which is a big name insurer and a good plan, she only had one good surgeon to recommend??? And finally, as I asked for a refill of my Lunesta prescription, which is on a controlled substance list and requires a handwritten RX and only for 5 months at a time, she GOES off on the RIDICULOUS GOVERNMENT OVERSITE AND OVERSTEPPING BUDDING INTO EVERYONE'S LIVES. She went on for another 5 minute as I sat there with glazed over eyes.
So, clearly I'll be in the market for a new doctor!!! I just need to get through my current situation. She assured me that this is not breast cancer but that the current thought is that if you leave it be, it can down the road mutate into a cancer. I'm at high risk for breast cancer so this is very less than ideal. I looked at the surgeon reviews online and they are worse than I even expected. I'm going to go to the eventual appointment I get but probably end up going back to my primary doctor to ask for a referral to a second doctor to compare. This is going to be a very, very annoying situation and I could really use my DH's strength and support:(
Sorry this is so long.
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edie3
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,631 
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Post by edie3 on Sept 22, 2020 20:27:14 GMT
I cant believe she is not wearing one! How irresponsible.
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Post by bianca42 on Sept 22, 2020 20:27:57 GMT
I voted yes, but I would be totally awkward about it. Not awkward enough to let it go if the appointment can't be rescheduled. I'm not sure how I would proceed if they refuse.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,891
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Sept 22, 2020 20:36:58 GMT
That is so insane!!! What state are you in? Our doctors are all in N-95s and face shields!!
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leeny
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,760
Location: Northern California
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 1:55:53 GMT
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Post by leeny on Sept 22, 2020 20:38:09 GMT
No one in the office is wearing a mask? Is it still required in your area? You should not be afraid to make this small request so you feel comfortable.
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Post by withapea on Sept 22, 2020 20:39:31 GMT
Yes, you should absolutely ask her to do that. I think it's a good idea to ask at the front desk.
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Post by epeanymous on Sept 22, 2020 20:39:42 GMT
Everyone is super masked up at the doctors' offices here.
I'd definitely ask them to wear a mask.
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Post by MichyM on Sept 22, 2020 20:48:49 GMT
The OP blows my mind. I am truly shocked that for all intents and purposes a physician’s office is not taking COVID seriously.
I’m sorry that you feel you have no alternative but to visit the office. Good luck with whatever you decide.
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Post by Basket1lady on Sept 22, 2020 21:29:36 GMT
I would definitely ask at the front desk that the doctor be masked. I’m with Michy—I’m just shocked that a health care professional not be masked. Shocked.
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CeeScraps
Pearl Clutcher
~~occupied entertaining my brain~~
Posts: 3,894
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Post by CeeScraps on Sept 22, 2020 21:31:04 GMT
Call the office and talk to the receptionist about it before you even go to the appointment. You should also have a conversation with the dr about this.
I'm amazed that it isn't mandatory.
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Post by lostwithout2peas on Sept 22, 2020 21:36:00 GMT
So, in the middle of when our state was in the news and had like the highest percentage in the world of cases of covid, I took the elderly lady I take care of to a Dr appointment. We mask up(our stupid Governors moto that he came up with after things got way out of hand a didn't enforce a mask mandate and left it up to individual city's to do🙄), and I am floored when he walks in without a mask.
Well the lady I care for has balls of steel and straight up asks him why he isn't wearing a mask and he says the chances of him catching it are so low he isn't worried. Now this is a community that is an elderly retirement community and his answer pisses me off and I say then you won't mind if I take my mask off and you shouldn't be worried about the fact that I live in the zip code that has the highest number of cases in the city and I'm a bigger risk to him then he is to me, right.... he gets kinda embarrassed and chuckles and goes about the appointment.
We see him a few weeks later and he has a mask on.
I just think that we think that because they are Dr's they are infalible. Some Dr's could be those that don't belive that masks don't work 🤷♀️ Yes it's hard to believe because we think they are all super smart cause they went to medical school and all, but some could be dumbasses!!
I would do what my "sweet" little old lady did and ask why they aren't wearing a mask. Maybe they have been tested and know they don't have Covid?
Good luck on whatever you decide to do!!
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,899
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Post by tracylynn on Sept 22, 2020 21:36:22 GMT
I would call and ask if the Dr will be wearing a mask. If they say no, ask if they will upon request. If they say no, I would cancel. That's absolutely insane to me.
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Dani-Mani
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,709
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Post by Dani-Mani on Sept 22, 2020 21:42:51 GMT
I would find a new doctor. She wouldn’t get my insurance money.
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Post by nlwilkins on Sept 22, 2020 22:06:19 GMT
You said the NP had moved elsewhere, is it possible to get an appointment with her where she moved? Possibly it would not take along time as her schedule is new?
If the none of the employees in the office and the other patients are wearing masks, then I would go to the ER before I would go there. People who are sick and possibly with COVID are coming and going in that place all day long. It is not just the doctor you need to worry about.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Sept 22, 2020 22:06:47 GMT
I would call and ask if the Dr will be wearing a mask. If they say no, ask if they will upon request. If they say no, I would cancel. That's absolutely insane to me. this! I get that you're kind of cornered for this time, so you have to go- so I would call and ask if the doctor will wear one upon request. The situation IS insane-- a doctor sees multiple patients per day, so even with all the safety protocols, if even one of those patients was an asymptomatic carrier and the doctor was exposed, the doctor just became a super-spreader / source of infection spread for every person they saw afterward. Why a doctor would NOT be wearing a mask is crazy. I saw my primary care doctor a couple months ago, and for most of the appointment we were appropriately social-distanced inside the exam room, until she got close enough to me to touch my foot (a problem with my foot was the reason for the appointment). But she, and all of her staff, were still wearing masks everywhere in the office for the ENTIRE visit. |
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Sept 22, 2020 22:16:38 GMT
So, in the middle of when our state was in the news and had like the highest percentage in the world of cases of covid, I took the elderly lady I take care of to a Dr appointment. We mask up(our stupid Governors moto that he came up with after things got way out of hand a didn't enforce a mask mandate and left it up to individual city's to do🙄), and I am floored when he walks in without a mask. Well the lady I care for has balls of steel and straight up asks him why he isn't wearing a mask and he says the chances of him catching it are so low he isn't worried. Now this is a community that is an elderly retirement community and his answer pisses me off and I say then you won't mind if I take my mask off and you shouldn't be worried about the fact that I live in the zip code that has the highest number of cases in the city and I'm a bigger risk to him then he is to me, right.... he gets kinda embarrassed and chuckles and goes about the appointment. We see him a few weeks later and he has a mask on. I just think that we think that because they are Dr's they are infalible. Some Dr's could be those that don't belive that masks don't work 🤷♀️ Yes it's hard to believe because we think they are all super smart cause they went to medical school and all, but some could be dumbasses!! I would do what my "sweet" little old lady did and ask why they aren't wearing a mask. Maybe they have been tested and know they don't have Covid? Good luck on whatever you decide to do!! Criminy. Did your doctor elaborate about why he thinks his chances are so low? Was he extra special or did he think EVERYBODY’S chances were too low to take precautions? (Astonishing either way.) |
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Post by SweetieBugs on Sept 22, 2020 22:48:51 GMT
I'm just outside Sacramento and there are mask requirements (but the office may be in the adjoining county and not have the same mask requirements).
I do find it crazy. It will be interesting to see what her answer and thoughts are about it. I've been to two medical procedures the last two weeks in a third county that has less restrictions but everyone there had masks and it was a requirement.
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misse336
Full Member
Posts: 236
Feb 24, 2020 2:57:43 GMT
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Post by misse336 on Sept 22, 2020 23:01:53 GMT
That is crazy! All medical personnel around me are wearing masks, keeping as distant as possible for the majority of the appointment. Several even wear face shields in addition to the mask. Definitely would call ahead of time and ask if they will be wearing a mask. Maybe go to an urgent care if they won't wear a mask?
My kid's pediatrician, my family doctor, our dentist and one other specialty office I've been at this summer/fall takes your temp outside before they will even let you in the building. They also ask the exposure, fever, been tested, etc questions outside. They called to ask the questions a day or two before the appointment and asked again outside before allowed into building.
I went to my gyn yearly exam and they even have all patients take off the mask they wear into the reception area and put on a provided disposable mask. I was wearing a cloth mask already, but still needed to put on the disposable mask. I'm guessing it's because our state rule is that you have to wear a "face covering" - which can include the plastic face shields and neck gaiters - studies are finding that they aren't as effective and I guess they want the extra protection.
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Post by littlemama on Sept 22, 2020 23:05:17 GMT
That is insane. Im sure the office isnt divulging where the NP went and that is a bummer.
I would not see a doctor who was not wearing a mask.
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sassyangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,456
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Post by sassyangel on Sept 22, 2020 23:05:34 GMT
Why on earth is she not wearing one? 😨
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Post by myboysnme on Sept 22, 2020 23:11:39 GMT
I know around here the medical staff are tested weekly. If you doctor wears a mask it is to keep from transmitting covid. If they test negative they don't have it to give to you.
Still I would ask why they don't wear a mask. I'd ask the nurse.
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moodyblue
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,255
Location: Western Illinois
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Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Sept 22, 2020 23:19:52 GMT
I know around here the medical staff are tested weekly. If you doctor wears a mask it is to keep from transmitting covid. If they test negative they don't have it to give to you. Still I would ask why they don't wear a mask. I'd ask the nurse. Well, anyone can test negative and then be exposed by the next person they interact with after their test. And you could be negative but tested too early after exposure so it’s actually a false negative. |
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Post by cindyupnorth on Sept 22, 2020 23:20:06 GMT
Arn't masks a state wide mandate? not county by county. It would be super crazy if county to county, you would never know what to do?
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Post by MichyM on Sept 22, 2020 23:32:58 GMT
I'm just outside Sacramento and there are mask requirements (but the office may be in the adjoining county and not have the same mask requirements).
I do find it crazy. It will be interesting to see what her answer and thoughts are about it. I've been to two medical procedures the last two weeks in a third county that has less restrictions but everyone there had masks and it was a requirement. California has a state-wide mask mandate and has since June. Your physician and staff are not abiding by it. Honestly, if this was my Dr and his or her office, I would both turn them in to the state and switch offices, STAT. |
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,456
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Sept 22, 2020 23:45:16 GMT
Link to covid19.ca.govAre masks or face coverings required in California? Yes. Californians must wear face coverings when in public spaces, especially indoors and other areas where physical distancing is not possible. Face coverings help reduce the spread of COVID-19. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released guidance for the use of face coverings. The guidance reminds Californians that the best defense against COVID-19 continues to be: Maintain six feet of physical distance from others Wash hands frequently Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands Avoid being around people with COVID-19 symptoms
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Kath
Full Member
Posts: 446
Jun 26, 2014 12:15:31 GMT
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Post by Kath on Sept 23, 2020 0:41:53 GMT
You need a new doctor. She might be one of those who doesn’t “believe” in masks. We have a couple of those in our organization. Like two out of hundreds.
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ashley
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,400
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Post by ashley on Sept 23, 2020 0:46:29 GMT
I don’t think I I could ever trust the advice of a doctor who was so obviously ignorant of good practices and disease transmission. And I would not be afraid to indicate so in writing to their office plus any regulatory bodies that should be made aware of this doctor’s lack of regard for safe hygiene.
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Post by Rainy_Day_Woman on Sept 23, 2020 1:16:08 GMT
I think if my doctor wouldn't wear a mask, I would find a new one who does. Ugh.
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Post by lostwithout2peas on Sept 23, 2020 1:44:38 GMT
So, in the middle of when our state was in the news and had like the highest percentage in the world of cases of covid, I took the elderly lady I take care of to a Dr appointment. We mask up(our stupid Governors moto that he came up with after things got way out of hand a didn't enforce a mask mandate and left it up to individual city's to do🙄), and I am floored when he walks in without a mask. Well the lady I care for has balls of steel and straight up asks him why he isn't wearing a mask and he says the chances of him catching it are so low he isn't worried. Now this is a community that is an elderly retirement community and his answer pisses me off and I say then you won't mind if I take my mask off and you shouldn't be worried about the fact that I live in the zip code that has the highest number of cases in the city and I'm a bigger risk to him then he is to me, right.... he gets kinda embarrassed and chuckles and goes about the appointment. We see him a few weeks later and he has a mask on. I just think that we think that because they are Dr's they are infalible. Some Dr's could be those that don't belive that masks don't work 🤷♀️ Yes it's hard to believe because we think they are all super smart cause they went to medical school and all, but some could be dumbasses!! I would do what my "sweet" little old lady did and ask why they aren't wearing a mask. Maybe they have been tested and know they don't have Covid? Good luck on whatever you decide to do!! Criminy. Did your doctor elaborate about why he thinks his chances are so low? Was he extra special or did he think EVERYBODY’S chances were too low to take precautions? (Astonishing either way.) He didn't elaborate and I think he was astonished that I pushed back with my response of taking off my mask and me being a big risk to him cause I'm usually so sweet! My client used to be a nurse and is still very much with it so we where discussing it afterwards, and we concluded that because the community itself is about 20 minutes away from the city and had lower numbers, that's what probably made him feel safer. And maybe cause he knew his patients well enough that maybe most of them weren't very active and spent all of their time at home like her? Whatever it was, I was just shocked and angered cause of the vulnerable population he was serving! And that's why I made him see I was a threat and he was vulnerable to me! He's no spring chicken himself!😂 |
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Post by monklady123 on Sept 23, 2020 1:47:12 GMT
I can't believe there's any medical person *not* wearing a mask during a pandemic! wow. I've recently been to an eye doctor and then a retinologist and the eye doc and her tech were both wearing two masks, as was the retinologist. And all the receptionists, nurses, techs, whoever... and the patients. At the eye doctor you're not even allowed to come upstairs until they call you. You have to call from your car and then wait there.
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