#immunocomoromised

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Mass General Brigham created a stir last week when it posted on its website, and sent to patients in its portal, a question-and-answer section including this:

“Q: I'd be more comfortable if my doctor, nurse or another care provider wear a mask. Can I ask them to? A: No. You cannot ask staff members to wear a mask because our policies no longer require it. Our system is adhering to current public health recommendations.”

The wording enraged lawyer and disability activist Matthew Cortland, who filed a complaint with the civil rights divisions of the U.S. Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services.

“It's a blatant violation of federal disability, civil rights laws, and also the laws of the commonwealth of Massachusetts,” Cortland told GBH News.

The hospital eventually took the language down from its site. Hospital officials released a statement, saying they “are committed to ensuring that patients can access medical care in a safe and appropriate manner,” and “patients can ask, but providers determine when and if masking in a particular situation is clinically necessary.”

Cortland doesn’t feel this is enough.

“I want them to post an affirmative explanation of how disabled patients can ask staff to mask,” Cortland said. “MGB must mitigate the harm their bad info caused and demonstrate a commitment to complying with civil rights law.”

Webster said when she heard of Mass General Brigham's original language online, she called the hospital for clarification about what would happen if she chooses to ask staff to mask.

“They said it could result in the security being called, which seems like a little bit of an overreaction,” she said. “I didn't mean to be hostile in any way. I just want to know how best to protect myself when I do go to the hospital.”

Mark Murphy, senior director of external communication at the hospital system, told GBH News that Webster was misinformed. “To clarify, patients would not be escorted out by security if they were to simply ask staff to mask,” he said in an emailed message. 🙄

“The MGB policy that is, quote, 'your provider will decide if you need others to mask in your presence' is problematic and discriminatory and racist given the history of what we have seen in the medical system,” said Dr. Lara Jirmanus, co-founder of the organization.

Jirmanus said many patients are trying to get accommodations to require providers to wear masks around them. She’s heard no word of their success.

“I personally have actually done so on the phone and was told by an MGB staff person that I didn't have to worry about COVID anymore because it wasn't a big deal,” she said.

Mass General Brigham confirmed they have received complaints over the new policy and said they are responding to those individuals. The hospital system added that patients can direct concerns about masking to the providers in charge of their care.

“The end of universal masking policies in health care settings will put those seeking medical care who are already more vulnerable — people with respiratory diseases or cancer, people with disabilities, and older adults — at risk of contracting COVID and other potentially life-threatening illnesses,” she said.

COVID-19 has killed nearly 1,500 people in Massachusetts since January, according to state data. It’s still the third leading cause of death in the United States. Just this year, over 4,400 people contracted COVID-19 in a Massachusetts hospital, according to federal data.

And it’s not just the lack of masking that worries people. Artist Mary Jirmanus Saba says she’s worried about losing benefits like telehealth and finding free COVID-19 tests.

“What we're seeing happening is that disabled people are being shut out of public life,” she said.