Associate Professor and Associate Medical Director of the Academic Health Care Center Patricia Happel, D.O., has been on the front lines as a first responder during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has seen first-hand why wearing a mask is important. 😷 Q: Who do you wear a mask for? A: As a family medicine physician on the front lines and an associate professor at NYITCOM, I wear a mask to protect my patients, students, colleagues, and staff members. While out in public, I wear a mask to protect the public. It is my responsibility as a health care provider to wear my mask to do my part in reducing the transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. Wearing a mask is just part of the equation to reduce the spread of this virus. We must do it all consistently. I wear my mask covering my nose and mouth, I practice physical distancing, I wash my hands or use hand sanitizer (if washing my hands isn't an immediate option). I am DO'ing my part. Please join me! Q: Why is wearing a mas...