Seattle Children’s relaxing mask rules

Seattle Children's Hospital has relaxed their masking rules for patients and families.

It's the latest in a string of local hospitals to move away from universal masking requirements after a recent downward trend in Covid-19 hospitalizations and deaths.

Unlike some other institutions, Children's will still require staff to mask up when providing patient care, with a few exceptions.

But, as of Thursday, face coverings have largely become optional for patients, families, and visitors.

A hospital spokesperson said in a statement that masks will continue to be recommended for everyone, despite the fact that they’re no longer mandated.

“Our top priority is the health and safety of our patients, their families and our workforce. Following a review of COVID-19 transmission indicators and conversations with healthcare partners across the region, Seattle Children’s is making changes to its masking policy,” the statement said.

“Going forward, our workforce will continue to wear masks when providing patient care, with a few exceptions. Masks will be recommended for everyone to help prevent the spread of infection. Anyone who is symptomatic will be required to wear a mask.”

Not everyone will feel the same way about the newly relaxed rules. For some, it may be a welcome change.

But for Thekla Richter, an immune-compromised parent of a Children’s patient, it's disappointing.

"I'm a little scared for my own health,” Richter said.

“I'm going to continue to take my child to the appointments that I have scheduled for them. But I don't love that that means I'm taking additional risks for my own health."

Richter said a minor infection for some, may be dangerous for someone like her.

She also worries for the patients at Children's who are at higher risk of infection or severe outcomes from viral respiratory illnesses like Covid-19.

Covid-19 continues to circulate in the community, even as hospitalizations and deaths have hit some of their lowest levels since the pandemic began in recent months.

Public health officials continue to recommend masking in health-care settings, something Richter said she’ll be doing.

But she said it’s frustrating to see mitigation measures wane in spaces she can’t avoid.

“I’m not saying that everyone should have to mask everywhere at all times,” Richter said.

“But in places where people have no choice but to go to get their basic needs met… the standard for protection so that people can participate should be high because it is an access issue, it is an equity issue.”

Mask mandates in most areas of society disappeared a long time ago. It’s a topic that has been politically charged and has spurred heated pushback in the past.

The state’s final masking requirement for health-care settings and correctional facilities expired in April.

However, at the time, a cohort of hospitals committed to continuing masking rules for at least a few months.

Many of those institutions have since reevaluated their policies. Many hospitals will likely reevaluate masking policies again in the fall when virus season begins, and stricter rules may be put back in place.