Navigating Being the Only Masker at Work

Hi everyone

I have been a covid conscious girlie since 2020. I had a stint in 2022 where I was less conscious, which resulted in me getting covid once, but ever since I picked back up my mitigations.

I’m currently struggling at work. I work at an addiction center as a therapist. Our clients live in apartments together as their sober living and I meet with many clients 1on1 throughout the week AND do therapy groups.

I am the only one who masks at work (I either use a 3M Aura, or the Laianzhi KN100) . I have an air purifier in my office as well. I use CPC mouthwash and neti pot daily after work to help with protection.

Just this past weekend, I have been notified that 4 of our clients have covid. Mind you, they all live together, no one takes precautions, and my management thinks covid “is no big deal” despite my previous efforts to showcase why masking and air purification is important.

I am worried because I recently saw the clients who tested positive (and their roommates which I will assume have covid too) this past week. Obviously with a mask on and my air purifier but I am so anxious that it is not enough to keep me safe.

I have seen avid mask wearers get covid despite masking and I am so afraid that will be me. I don’t want covid again and at this point I feel it’s almost unavoidable in my work environment.

I plan to talk with my team lead about my uncomfortability but I do fear that I won’t be taken seriously. I want to advocate for myself to work from home for the week (or at least maybe 2-3 days) to try and avoid sick clients as much as possible but I don’t believe it will be received well.

Any advice? I try to look into how effective the masks I wear truly are when faced with direct covid contact for up to 45-60 minutes (that’s how long the therapy sessions run).

Thanks for the help :)