Seattle Children's Hospital implemented universal masking at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and it has proven to be a valuable layer of protection against hospital acquired infections for both patients and staff. 

Universal masking should be adopted as a permanent policy by Seattle Children's Hospital. There are always diseases in circulation, and even a virus as minor as rhinovirus can be life threatening for an immune compromised child. 

Seattle Children's Hospital provides care to the most medically vulnerable patients in the region. Children with cancer, children needing organ transplants, etc. all come to Seattle Children's Hospital to receive the highest quality of care and deserve to continue to receive care in the most equitable and ethical way possible. 

There are a significant number of patients at Seattle Children's Hospital who are too young to mask or who are unable to mask safely. Universal masking has been an effective tool at reducing their risk while they receive care. 

Most diseases are contagious even when symptoms are not present. Relying on staff, caregivers and patients to voluntarily mask when they feel sick is not an effective tool at reducing the spread of hospital acquired infections. 

Staffing shortages have been a significant issue at Seattle Children's Hospital. Dropping masking requirements puts staff at greater risk of being unable to work due to illness, exacerbating the existing staffing issues. 

Every child deserves the ability to seek medical care safely. Seattle Children's Hospital should adopt universal masking as a permanent policy in order to best fulfill their mission statement of providing "hope, care and cures to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible."