Been doing that for last 12 years in operating theatres & don’t see what the fuss is about! I’ve not come across any staff in my hospital who claim a mask exemption either which must be a statistically significant difference to the general population based on experience in supermarkets, public transport etc.

This is anecdote but I also haven’t had a cold since March 2020 whereas previously would get multiple per year after being coughed & spluttered on by non-masked patients & colleagues daily from November to March.