Masking now optional at Chelsea Hospital

Emergency Department staff from Trinity Health Livonia photographed removing masks following an announcement that many local hospitals would be relaxing their mask requirements for employees, patients, and visitors.

by Sara Swanson

After three years, many of Michigan’s major health systems are making masking optional over the next week, including Chelsea Hospital.

Chelsea Hospital posted on social media, “Starting Monday, April 17, masks will become optional at most of our care settings for patients, visitors, and colleagues. There are instances when a mask may still be required to protect those with respiratory illness or compromised immune systems.”

A spokesperson for Trinity Health, the Health System Chelsea belongs to, explained that factors influencing the Michigan health systems to work together to make this decision included: that the number of COVID-19 inpatients has drastically declined across the state and that there are multiple effective ways to combat the virus, including vaccines and medical treatment. He stated, “COVID-19 has become an illness that, in most cases, will be treated like other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu. The virus will likely remain for years to come.”

All health systems, including Chelsea Hospital, will continue to provide stations with free masks and hand sanitizer at entrances for patients, visitors, and team members who choose to use them. Patients can also ask their care teams to wear masks.

Masking guidelines could be adjusted again if COVID-19, flu, or any other virus begins to spread rapidly in the community.

Chelsea Hospital posted, “We are excited to restore the powerful human connection when patients, caregivers, and loved ones can see each other’s faces. When we asked our colleagues how they felt about the loosened masking requirements, they said, ‘Patients can see us smile once again while remaining a safe and welcoming place for care, what a wonderful moment!’”

Michigan Medicine updated their masking policy earlier this month. At U of M hospital, masking is generally not required in public areas like hallways, waiting areas, and cafeterias, except for anyone with respiratory symptoms, positive COVID test results, or those who have a household contact with COVID. U-M Health caregivers will still wear masks while providing direct patient care.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.