SMCMA hosts virtual Mask Mandate Town Hall November 30, 2023 Areas of interest(s): Community engagement, Health Officer Order, Mask Mandate, Town Hall To address a new mask mandate set to take effect on November 1st, SMCMA hosted a virtual Town Hall meeting featuring the San Mateo County Health Officer to discuss the upcoming mandate and address community concerns. Dr. Kismet Baldwin-Santana, San Mateo County Health Officer, issued Health Officer Order No. F23-1, requiring all personnel in Health Care Delivery Facilities to wear a Face Mask during the Winter Respiratory Virus Period. This new mandate will take effect on November 1, 2023. The full order can be found HERE. During the event, Dr. Baldwin-Santana shared background information, rationale, and the purpose of the order. Registered participants were able to submit questions in advance, which were provided to the Health Officer and addressed during her talk. Following her presentation, a Q&A session moderated by SMCMA President Dr. Aditi Patel was conducted to further address concerns. The virtual Town Hall event took place on October 25th and was FREE for peninsula physicians to attend. There were 78 total registrants for the event, representing a diverse group of specialties, practice types, and stages of career. Be on the lookout for future Town Hall events that will address current issues impacting physicians, patients, and the practice of medicine in San Mateo County. If you are interested in becoming involved to advocate for your profession and patients, please email smcma@smcma.org.
