evidence: "People can make their own choices about wearing masks to protect against COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases now," says Karen Jubanyik, MD, a Yale Medicine emergency medicine specialist who has cared for patients with COVID-19. [...] Wearing a mask may be a personal choice when visiting a doctor or a hospital. Not all medical centers require masks now, although some that abandoned mask mandates are discussing bringing them back in response to the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases. [...] Wearing masks in this setting could help protect you and others from viruses that can also exacerbate any underlying conditions, causing such problems as lung disease flares, arrhythmias, and even death, according to the article.