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Editorial
. 2023 Jun;176(6):859-861.
doi: 10.7326/M23-0793. Epub 2023 Apr 18.

Universal Masking in Health Care Settings: A Pandemic Strategy Whose Time Has Come and Gone, For Now

Erica S Shenoy  1 , Hilary M Babcock  2 , Karen B Brust  3 , Michael S Calderwood  4 , Shira Doron  5 , Anurag N Malani  6 , Sharon B Wright  7 , Westyn Branch-Elliman  8
Affiliations
Editorial

Universal Masking in Health Care Settings: A Pandemic Strategy Whose Time Has Come and Gone, For Now

Erica S Shenoy et al. Ann Intern Med. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, the use of facemasks has been mandated in all health care settings for individuals older than 2 years, whether present as health care personnel, patients, or visitors. In this commentary, a group of health care epidemiologists, infectious diseases physicians, and researchers argue for the withdrawal of the universal masking policy given the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures: Disclosures can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M23-0793.

Figures

Figure.
Figure.. Key milestones and contextual factors during the pandemic to endemic phases.
Transitions during the pandemic to endemic stages and linkage of key milestones and contextual factors to masking recommendations in health care and community settings are illustrated.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Universal Masking in Health Care Settings.
    Jirmanus LZ, Schwartzmann EG, Davids JD, Gullette MM, Killick C. Jirmanus LZ, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2023 Dec;176(12):eL230350. doi: 10.7326/L23-0350. Ann Intern Med. 2023. PMID: 38109748 No abstract available.
  • Universal Masking in Health Care Settings.
    Reznick SE. Reznick SE. Ann Intern Med. 2023 Dec;176(12):eL230346. doi: 10.7326/L23-0346. Ann Intern Med. 2023. PMID: 38109749 No abstract available.
  • Universal Masking in Health Care Settings.
    Brown TS, Mohareb AM, LaRocque RC. Brown TS, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2023 Dec;176(12):eL230347. doi: 10.7326/L23-0347. Ann Intern Med. 2023. PMID: 38109751 No abstract available.

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