I am a retired anesthesiologist. Each day of the 35 years I was in practice I wore a face mask. I did this even though I rarely had a cough, headache, sore throat, runny nose or sore throat.
I never thought of it as anything except using a scientifically proven technique to protect my patients from infection by me.
I don’t understand how wearing a mask for decreasing disease has become a political issue.
If you are among those who believe this isn’t needed now to save lives then I suggest the following: The next time you or your family has surgery, ask the surgical team not to wear face masks during the operation. I never heard this request during my 35 years in practice.
Please consider wearing a mask for the protection of all of us.
Gary Smith, MD