The RI ACLU expressed its support for a lawsuit filed by the SEIU today against a Department of Health regulation requiring thousands of health care workers, including volunteers and non-medical staff, to get a flu shot or else wear a mask if they have any contact with patients. In testimony previously submitted to the DOH, the ACLU pointed out that the requirement may actually do very little to promote patient health care, significantly undermines notions of informed consent, could erode the use of other and more effective infection control practices, and might even at some point adversely affect family caregivers. The RI ACLU also expressed its disappointment with the Department of Health's order this week requiring indefinite masking of all unvaccinated health care workers, regardless of evidence indicating the use of masks provides little protection for patients and may, in fact, exacerbate the spread of the virus.