# @mynyit on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CI3cieEh4wl
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/19750342-mynyit-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/cc18d018f1.jpg
- **Posted:** 2020-12-16T17:04:14.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** New York Tech (@mynyit) — https://gondola.cc/mynyit

## Caption

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 mask important?
A: The purpose of masks is to keep respiratory droplets from reaching others. COVID-19 can be spread by people who do not have symptoms and do not know that they are infected. 

It is important that the mask covers our nose and mouth completely. Masks with exhalation valves or vents may allow air to be exhaled through these openings. Respiratory droplets can then reach others, and are therefore not recommended.

Let's show Dr. Happel our appreciation in the comments below as she works to continuously #DefendTheDen as a #DefendersOfTheDen!  #BearCare

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 108
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 6

## Tags

defendtheden, defendersoftheden, bearcare

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