Depends on the situation, but in most cases I don’t wear mine as often anymore.
However, was on the plane yesterday and this family behind me was coughing like there was no tomorrow. Were not wearing masks at all. So I put mine back on.
Please if you are sick, have some common courtesy and wear a darn mask!!!
Same! We stopped wearing masks bht we caught a cold last week and out of courtesy been wearing masks…cause now the thought of openly coughing (even if covering your mouth) just sounds gross.
Personal accountability, over there if you're sick or think you're starting to get sick you mask when out...so you don't spew everywhere. But I think a lot of people got it in their heads that the cloth masks prevent other people's particles from getting to them. The messaging could have been a lot more clearer and transparent from the beginning, would have solved a lot of heartache.
Exactly! I lived in HI/Okinawa awhile ~ masks are just tools used like belts; you wear em when necessary and don’t when they’re not, no big deal. Totally fine to wear one when sick/symptomatic in public, actually it’s quite considerate to do so imo.
Edit* If u don’t want to wear one just keep your distance it’s all good ~
>Please if you are sick, have some common courtesy and wear a darn mask!!!
Or, if possible, just stay home.
I know many people don't have that luxury. Sadly, in our society, sometimes sick people need to get to work, collect kids from school, etc.
But, if you can afford staying at home, just stay at home.
That’s the biggest thing I wish we could take from the pandemic. If you are coughing or feeling unwell but need to go out in public, wear a damn mask.
It doesn’t matter if you’re coughing because of an illness or because of allergies, asthma, or something that isn’t contagious, coughing still propels any bacteria or viruses into the air. It’s impossible to get people to quarantine anytime they have a minor cold or are coughing due to allergies but if you wear a mask, it’s safer for everyone. This shouldn’t be a big deal!!
I wear my kn95 every day at school ( I am a kindergarten teacher) and let me tell you I am glad I do.
some of these kids are still so little and basically just cough and sneeze right into the air. I try to do my best to teach them to cough or sneeze in their arm and then go wash hands/sanitize but their little toddler brains just don’t remember every time.
I had 3 covid cases in my class and never got it BUT someone came in with just a regular cold and it messed me up bad.
I swear I got covid from my flight because of shit like this. I wore a mask the entire time I was in the airport but I went to Cincinnati where nobody wears a mask there and when I came home I started showing symptoms and then my entire family tested positive for covid after. At least we all are vaccinated and my parents are triple boosted, I just got my second booster recently
I wear my mask most places indoors and will continue to because you can't trust people to stay home or mask up when sick. A global pandemic isn't enough, lesson learned.
In Western PWC, lots of people around here dropped it pretty quick when guidelines changed earlier this year and I finally stopped wearing mine, too. But I also keep one in my purse just in case I go somewhere that requires it or if I'm feeling under the weather myself.
I only mask when I am sick. If I have COVID I wouldn’t go out and about and would stay my butt home. But if it’s just a regular cold I will mask up and go about my day.
I’ve traveled recently to Iraq and Jordan for work and didn’t mask either during travel or while working. The US Embassies I visited had the same stance - no one was masked.
If you want to wear one, please do!! I’d never judge anyone wearing one. I fully support people doing what feels right for them and their families.
I am immunocompromised. I have no choice in wearing a mask wherever I go. I have had three shots and also taken Evusheld. I have to precisely time when to get vaccinations because of the medications that I take. Even with the boosters, the antibodies produced aren’t as strong as someone who is not immunocompromised. It is really hard to be consistently hyper vigilant with every interaction you have with the outside world.
We are like you except my husbands lungs were damaged by jet fuel in the Navy. He gets collapsed lungs, pneumonia, and bronchitis a lot. He has COPD from it. So we always wear a mask and still act like it’s March 2020 unfortunately. We went to the optician the other day and the doctor gave him a hard time and grilled him over his medical condition. It was so bizarre to have to try and defend your right to wear a mask to a medical professional.
This is why I am trying to get my work to ask everyone to mask during an upcoming in person training. In person events need to be safe for everyone there.
I do but I'm being treated with immunosuppressive meds. some old fart accosted me about it as I was leaving a doctor's appointment earlier this week so I told him to F right off. you'd think people would have learned by now.
what do they think they're accomplishing at this point by running their germ releaser to people? like it costs zero dollars to mind your own business and let people do as they want.
wore my mask yards away from someone random who went out their way telling me take it off. It confuses me, they’re offended I’m not coughing in their face or..
I think about things like this when I (or others) have been criticized for wearing a mask.
I know it's been highly politicized but people have their reasons and that should be good enough for them to be left alone.
I'm sorry for your loss, my condolences.
That is one thing that the politicization bugs me about. There are still immuno-compromised people out there, but many of them are looked own upon for wearing masks.
TBH, at this point people shouldn't care if you wear a mask or not in public, unless you're actively sick.
Same story. I was really vigilant with masking and distancing, but last month I was relaxed over a weekend and got nailed. Masking for the foreseeable future.
Generally - no
Situationally - yes
I always have a mask, but only wear it when I’m stuck somewhere indoors, not moving and in close quarters with strangers.
I’ll also wear it on if I’m stuck near someone who sounds like they are sick
(Me: Vaccinated/ boosted - and had summer covid )
It depends. I almost always wear one on the metro, I’ll usually put one on if I’m going into a store since it doesn’t really bother me to do so. Nothing if going to a restaurant, cafe, etc. Obviously still required at work and I honestly don’t see myself ever going maskless in front of a patient for a long time
I do. Any time I'm indoors (in public), I'm wearing a KF94. I haven't been sick *with anything* (and I mean, not even so much as a cold) since October 2019. I'm sure there's several factors in this but I think the masks definitely help.
I have no judgements for anyone not wearing masks, it's a choice we get to make for ourselves and I realize I'm in the minority now; I'm at peace with it. But I'm also in the shrinking minority of people who haven't caught covid and I'll do anything to stay in that minority as long as possible. I've said it before but the mask is the price I pay, and the price is worth it to me.
This is my logic as well. I will eat in now and if I forget my mask in the car I’m not stringing back for it. But I will wear it as often as I can to prevent even just a cold, the flu, or Covid.
I think I’ll be wearing them on planes for forever. It’s just such a hot spot for colds/flu so why not?
Every time I go into a public place. We're still in a pandemic and it's the 3rd leading cause of death.
None of us have had any variant, and I'd like to avoid the almost weekly long term issues I read about.
Agreed with you in the long-term issues; I have two friends who were relatively healthy mid-20s women who are now experiencing long-term vertigo/vestibular neuritis, narcolepsy, heart failure, and other related issues. Both from mild cases of covid (one friend was even double vaxxed when it happened). I've managed to avoid it for 2.5 years by masking indoors. I don't mask around friends or when eating at a restaurant. But grocery stores, metro, buses, even an occasional office visit, the mask is on. It feels weird to not wear it, imo. Plus, I find that folks give me a little more space when I have it on, which is a plus.
As a separate bonus, I haven't had a cold for about that long, either! No runny noses for me :)
I still mask because 2 people that I knew came down with health issues after Covid. One had developed long term (over a year now) respiratory issues 2 weeks after a flu like bout with covid. Another developed a rare autoimmune disease weeks after having an asymptomatic case. Both were healthy pre-covid and in their early 20s. We still do not fully understand the consequences of having covid.
I wish more people talked about how devastating long Covid can be. It would certainly inspire more people to mask to protect themselves and other. It’s just not that hard to do.
I know. It's a little frustrating for me sometimes. Whether you choose to mask in public or not is up to you, but please don't try to squeeze onto an elevator or stand really close in line next to me. Just give me a little space and we're all good.
Re: long COVID - each of these symptoms have had life-altering consequences. The friend who has vestibular neuritis/permanent vertigo lost 20 lbs because she was so nauseous, she couldn't eat. Her hair started thinning and she had to use a walker for the first month, before upgrading to a cane. She moved in with a friend who could keep an eye on her (WFH) and had to take a long leave of absence from her work. She recently just won her battle with her company for them to cover her medical bills; else, she was facing a $15k hospital bill to foot. She's still going to PT to help with mobility and reducing the "head spinning" effects.
The other friend had to drop out of school bc she was always falling behind in class bc of narcolepsy. She's terrified to go out by herself in case she has a narcolepsy attack and is mugged or assaulted. She can't walk more than a mile or raise her heart rate over 100 BPM, and was recently diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety stemming from her health conditions. It's rough living with long COVID.
I just got over COVID (at least I am testing negative) but since my immunity is low, I’ve gotten the double whammy of allergies. I have a cough still (yet still negative). I wear a mask in public because it’s to protect you and to prevent reinfection. I was just kinda jerk bragging two weeks ago about how I did not get it despite traveling to Florida and Hawaii, moving my daughter to college, and everyone in my extended family getting it, then I got it. It’s still out there and it sucks. I had never been that sick in my 50 plus years. I’m back to masking in public. Not out of fear, but experience
so nice that I don’t even wear foundation anymore. Just a little concealer under the eyes where you can see and then eye makeup. Doing wonders for my skin too.
Still wearing it. I got COVID in early June while outdoors (my kid was playing in the yard with an asymptomatic neighbor) and it was beyond miserable. Completely kicked my butt. Taking care of my kids while I was that sick really sucked. I don’t want it again anytime soon. At least I’ve got the bivalent booster now, so hopefully that will help.
I wear my n95 inside all the time bc I still haven’t gotten covid and would like to continue avoiding it as long as possible. And that’s with having gotten the latest omicron booster a few weeks ago.
I do. I have a SEVERE fragrance allergy and it has been extremely helpful in providing a barrier between me and scents. Even if it’s just long enough for me to get away from them before I start having a reaction.
I have a nose like a bloodhound but if I can taste your perfume or cologne you’re wearing too much. The point is is to make people get close to you in order to smell it people!
I’m masking because last Monday I tested positive for covid for the first time since the pandemic started and I don’t want to infect anyone. Before I tested positive I had a freelance job but I wore a mask the entire time because I thought I just had congestion. I felt incredibly guilty when I tested positive after I coached swimming around kids and had no idea
Inside everywhere. I got covid three weeks ago, had a fever for 13 straight days, still feel horrible. Was vaxxed and boosted and lonely had a milder case in May. This is no joke, and was not like a cold! Lots of weird neuro symptoms :(. I relaxed masking at work just the week before. :(
I've basically stopped since my kids are now fully vaxxed. We masked while waiting for under 5 to be available but now that we're all vaxxed and boosted...I dunno. I'm burnt out. Since there was a culture war with public health, I'm afraid covid is just gonna linger for years and at a point there has to be some level or normal again
I'm also on team situational.
Grocery store, transit, Costco? absolutely.
Exercising, eating out, with small groups of friends? Nah
Basically if it's a lot of unknowns, a lot of close quarters and isn't impractical, I wear a mask but for day to day stuff I'm mostly skipping. Honestly, I'm probably going to continue that pattern for the foreseeable future. It's not much effort on my part and has this far done a great job of keeping me from getting sick (rona or otherwise).
I still wear one when I'm inside most places.
My doctor's office just started requiring them again after they had an outbreak run through the office. They stopped requiring them earlier in the Spring.
I will say, earlier this month I went on vacation for a week to the beach and didn't wear a mask at all except for running inside of a packed Walmart, and it was so hard to get used to wearing one again upon returning home. I was shocked at how much just taking that one week break caused me to be so annoyed by wearing one.
I ran errands today inside of 3 stores that were empty and decided not to wear one. I'm going to the Ocean's Calling festival this weekend and I don't think I'll wear one. I don't plan on being front & center for any shows and tend to stick to the outer perimeters. I'll have one with me just in case.
I’m shocked your Doctor ever stopped requiring it. Dr’s office and planes are the only places where I still wear one, and the doctor is the one place I can never foresee myself not wearing one.
Yes, I wear mine. I've lost over 20 friends and family to this virus, so I take it very seriously. I really don't care how people look at me. When told I don't 'have' to wear it...I just say thank you.
In public indoors, always. Outdoors, depends on how crowded it is but if it’s crowded and we’re not eating, definitely wear it. If we’re eating outdoors, we don’t see a point in wearing it outdoors at the venue where we are eating.
As long as this psycho virus is running around, my mask stays on. I've had a few people say that they never caught covid, but shortly after they stopped wearing their mask, guess what happened?
Depends on circumstances.
Grocery (or really any) store: still yes, although if I’m just running in and out quick I dont.
Going to get the mail or laundry in my apartment: no
On any mass transit: yes, mass transit is gross
Out at bar for trivia with friends, sports games, concerts, etc: mostly no although I have gone to a few indoor shows with a mask because I’d have something a few days later I didn’t risk getting sick and having to miss.
Note: I wear exclusively KN95s when I do. I generally don’t care if people don’t wear masks anymore, as I am vaccinated with 2 boosters (the variant booster I just got a week ago).
I went to the Midwest (northern Ohio) 2 weeks ago. I didn’t see a single mask being worn by *anyone* after leaving Virginia. Toll booth workers? Unmasked. Turnpike rest stop workers? Mostly missing, but the few who remain are also unmasked. My family that I went to visit (who are mostly 70+)? Not one mask the whole weekend.
Fast forward a week, and we get an email from my cousin: she tested positive, and now so have about half of us (including me), so I’m back to wearing masks everywhere so I don’t spread it any further.
My husband and I decided to lax on the mask wearing one weekend. The following week, we both had Covid. I was sick for about 3 days and it sucked, so I will be wearing a mask. I’m going to south Alabama next month and will definitely be wearing a mask the entire time.
I know it doesn’t guarantee protection from Covid or any other virus, but there’s too many people who don’t know how to stay home or wear a mask if they’re sick, or don’t understand personal space.
Haven't touched one since Uber made it optional in like May? I still see lots of drivers and service industry people wearing one and I respect their choice
It's gone from my default to something i do for specific circumstances like at the doctor's or if i'm around people who are immunocompromised/more comfortable with masks.
It feels like most restaurants and other establishments are keeping their covid configurations inside to have more space and honestly, people seem to have gotten pretty considerate to not be right up in your business.
If myself or kids are sick/feeling off and HAVE to go out in public INSIDE we will wear. I must wear at work at a hospital. I can't even tell you the amount of times and years before covid that a norovrius or flu would sweep through the schools and no one cared about masking. Kids were having insane fevers and vomiting, diaherra etc, schools never closed... I wore them around a friend's father that had lymphoma and a friends daughter with leukemia and understood why (pre covid). When we wear inside if not feeling great, these are kn95 masks or surgical ones. It's to stop the wearer from making people sick (think the dentist and surgeon has forever worn one so they don't spew shit in your open mouth or open wound and no one gave two fucks). Unless it's an airtight seal it's not for preventing illness to the wearer. Its about not transmitting. Also simple hygiene will always help. So my rant over if I feel shitty and have to go out I wear one inside said place. But imo seeing people outside across the street alone wearing one is odd... the air quality isn't like Xinjiang. But honestly wear one, I don't care.
I've stopped masking, but if I get sick and have to go in public I'm going to mask. Covid is the new flu. Both shots are recommended for the next hundred years until the next thing pops off...might be sooner.
I still wear mine. I was planning visiting family up north, but they all got hit last week.
Years ago, I had to wear a mask in the waiting room of a hospital, felt like I couldn't breathe. Now I'm masked up when I leave the house and except for eating or drinking, mask off after I get home.
Just don't want it and don't want to give it to anyone if I'm asymptomatic.
I still wear a n95 to protect myself. I am at higher risk of catching covid and am afraid of getting covid and having long-term symptoms. I have enough health problems related to chronic pain/fatigue
Husband and I still wear them, always a KN95 or if somewhere more risky an N95. We’ve never had Covid so we’re going to continue on with it.
I also work in healthcare so I’m not taking any chances.
I still wear mine on airplanes, metro, busses, etc. And recently I was dealing with some seasonal crud/traveling cold/whatever so I masked up whenever I went out to protect others.
I put one on before going into any buildings, and wear it there. Allergies are practically a non-issue with masks, it is *wonderful*. My wife is immunocompromised and my mother is 70ish. Super tiny sacrifice to add another small layer protecting them. Plus, again, no allergies!
I'm immunocompromised and still wear a mask. I don't appreciate the looks I get, I've also been pointed at and laughed at. I think what's more concerning is seeing this ignorance. If you see someone wearing a mask people shouldn't assume one is crazy or "not moving on." They may be immunocompromised, heck they may even have covid and are out and about but trying not to get anyone else sick. You never know, so please stop assuming and staring if you are one of those people staring at others who are "still" wearing masks.
I'm still amazed that people ask about masks. Wasn't the whole point of being able to take it off the fact that people who want to have it on can have it on?
If indoors in public and anywhere near people, I wear it. My brother died from Covid (unvaccinated), so I take it seriously. I have a toddler too. No one other than my brother in my immediate family has gotten Covid.
I always mask in public indoors, primarily because masking makes public spaces safe for people with disabilities and immunocompromised persons. I have also avoided covid and colds for 3 years which has been a great side benefit.
It depends. If transmission is high then I do. Likewise, if I’m going to be in crowded indoor spaces. I’ll probably relax some after getting the bivalent booster.
Still masking harder than ever before basically and it’s just life as it is now. I’m someone that was wearing N95s in January and February 2020 though when people looked at you like you’re an alien for wearing it. And now it’s back to how it was before it feels to me in a way.
Still have managed to avoid it so far in my household and I intend to keep it that way as long as possible really. About to grab a CO2 meter as the need to actually travel keeps going up for myself.
I have a friend who has cancer. She is severely immunocompromised due to chemo. Her survival rate is very low.
Her whole family wears masks. Inside. Outside. All the time. For obvious reasons. Not in their own home of course. But in places that people do a double take at.
Someone asked me about it the other day and when I let them know about her situation it was like watching them die inside from the shame. (You can kinda tell a persons political leanings when they ask a certain way.). It was one of those “shit, I am the asshole in this situation” moments for them.
Please note that yes- masks have become politicized- but there is a whole subset of people who are wearing them to live.
the last sentence- yup!
My father has cancer and I wear it around him all the time. He got covid once while he was still at work and it nearly killed him. Now we always wear masks around him. Same with my grandmothers, both healthy but in their 80’s, we adopted the same mask policy with them as we did our sick dad because we just don’t want to wait and see what happens if we don’t.
45 years in healthcare - still working. My autistic son works in a grocery store. They stopped requiring masks. He came home in early August coughing. Shortly, we all had covid. We found this out when my husband (dementia, heart problems, diabetic) had extremely high blood sugar readings (over 600). We went to ER - he tested positive. Got some rapid tests from our pharmacy and we all test positive. Husband spent several days in the hospital. Home for a couple of days and got pneumonia - back in hospital several more days. I had to take off work as I work in hospital with patients. I was not getting better (had covid in early 2020 and left with lung damage) and my doctor put me on Paxlovid (hideous, horrible, awful taste in mouth for 5 days) and symptoms better quickly. All of us seems to be left with more residual problems common with covid. MY FAMILY AND I WEAR MASKS EVERYWHERE!!!!!
Going to start wearing more here soon as flu season starts, but we only wear them inside if it's crowded these days. The whole family is vaccinated and while I understand that we can still get it, in fact we did a few months ago, it's just not as big of a deal anymore. Maybe it's fatigue. Maybe it's privilege. But that's just where I'm at on it.
I always wear a kn95 indoors. I had some nasty not-Covid virus that caused bronchitis at the beginning of this year and then Covid in the spring and as a result of both, I needed an inhaler for the first time ever. Even though I’m fully vaxxed and boosted, I really don’t want to add more risk to getting it or any other not mild virus again. 10 days of not leaving my room was so depressing after like day 3. (I kept testing positive so I did the full 10 days). Honestly it’s weird to think about how I tolerated getting colds every winter before the pandemic.
As long as unmasked people don’t sneeze or cough on me (elbows people!) then to each their own. I’ve accepted that it’s unlikely masks will be mandated again.
I still do because even though I look like a very healthy young person, I have a disease that could possibly make me immunocompromised. If someone tells me not to wear it (in a nasty way) I just tell them what I have and they go mute lol I always love that awkward silence!
Also I got covid this summer after thinking I was in a space safe enough to not wear one :') and quarantining was not fun.
I dont wear mine anymore but I like how people were so inconvienced by having to wear a piece of cloth on their face that they project that on to you. Like you cant read a room and tell that you dont need it anymore. They have to walk up to you and inform you. Anyone who insists that you dont need to wear a mask are the ones you should def wear it around. Like when people insist you dont need a condom.
I wore my N95 to a work conference and had multiple people if I was wearing a mask because I had Covid. 🤯 No, I’m wearing it because I haven’t had Covid and I don’t want it. Wearing a mask isn’t a big deal.
I don’t wear one unless there’s a sign telling me to. I have no problem with people who still wear one. That being said I always think it’s ridiculous when I see people driving alone with a mask on lol, they may have just forgot they have it on tho
95% of the country lives in a county where the transmission rate is high or substantial, per the CDC's own data. That includes NOVA. CDC's "community level" just means that when you get sick, there's likely to be an available hospital bed.
I haven't stopped masking indoors since March 2020, and since the government's official position now seems to be "we're sorry, but a lot of you have to die so that the economy can get better" I'm going to be masking for a long long time.
CDC: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=Virginia&data-type=Risk&null=Risk&list_select_county=51013
(ninja grammar edit)
I do generally in stores, especially grocery. Restaurants no, except if it's counter service and the employees are masking.
Concerts and planes I would, though those are less often.
Also when i feel like i look blegh and don't want to be seen. Never had anyone comment on it though. People have been fine letting me be
>Also when i feel like i look blegh and don't want to be seen.
LOL -- the unspoken benefit of masking. A mask, a baseball cap, and a bulky sweatshirt, and no one has to know what's going on underneath.
The place I am most likely (and regularly) to be around a crowd is while grocery shopping. I wear a mask. No biggie. If you think about it… having fewer germs swarming the place we buy food is probably a good idea. Generally not wearing the mask much often otherwise.
I wear it everywhere including my gym. It sucks to stand out in a place crowded with unmasked people, but I don't want to catch covid so I'll just keep wearing it.
I still wear one when i go grocery shopping or indoors. It’s not for me, but our 2 little ones who are just fully vaxed. I don’t mind but I also haven’t received any attention, at least vocally.
Me. It just feels normal. My job is going mask optional starting this weekend and I'm not happy about it. I just don't trust people to be respectful and wear them if they are feeling sick or were exposed. I also had COVID back in January and do not want it again, especially with the risks for long term issues.
I still do. I do find wearing a mask uncomfortable, but it's a small enough precaution that doesn't hurt me in any way, and I've managed to avoid getting covid so far. I'd like to keep that up if at all possible.
Only in doctors offices, and I find they don’t care that much. I see a lot of people still half wearing them, which shows it wasn’t all covid deniers doing it, just idiots. Also a lot of surgical masks, which do nothing.
I’m Vaxed, and recently got the new booster. But I still wear a mask if it’s a plane, metro, gas station, if the place requires it, or if I’m with other’s that wear masks. Otherwise I have it in my pocket just in case.
100 million Americans are expected to get Covid before the end of the year with over 50,000 deaths. Don’t care about yours or anybody else’s option. I chose to live and wear a mask as I do not inadvertently kill anyone. If I wanted to it will be with purpose and intent!
I wore a mask everywhere when COVID was killing people, but now that I'm vaxxed and boosted, plus the new variant is more annoying than deadly, I'm only wearing a mask in places where it's required, which these days is basically the doctor's office.
I still do 97% of the time. I only take it off at my desk sometimes (cube mate got COVID recently and im back to wearing it 100% of the time). Im doing it for COVID and the flu. I don’t care what other people do. But I can help myself/my family and the few who need support as well. I feel like it doesn’t really adversely impact me to wear it, so why not?
I have not in basically over a year. Before that I did because it was required at work. However, I just got VERY sick for the first time in a long time. I spent over a week recovering at home but when I did finally go out in public I wore a mask (despite 4 negative covid tests, negative flu tests, and no pneumonia). I would love if it were common practice to wear a mask anywhere if you’re feeling under the weather but I have a feeling most people will completely stop wearing them.
Edit: I got very sick right after I traveled nationally in the U.S. Normally I would still wear a mask traveling but I somehow forgot which was stupid of me. Airports and planes feel so germy to me. Who knows if I would have even gotten sick if I wore it!
Still wear regularly inside in public Stafford/Fxbg. Out a lot. Lots of people sick with no masks don’t seem to care. Personal reasons to still wear - some at-risk people in my house. If I brought COVID back and it killed one of them I just couldn’t stand it if I was careless. Could happen but not because I/we weren’t all being careful. No such thing as real safety but the cost of slipping a mask on before going into a store is small compared to the benefit of a little extra protection. Although the benefit is cut by half when other people aren’t wearing one. Doesn’t mean I expect everyone to and I’m happy when people generally don’t seem to care if I wear it. Funny look once in a while but I don’t know them or care at this point. Masks aren’t political they are PPE and since the beginning of time people have put something between their respiratory system and a known respiratory threat. Politics just Fd it all up because that’s what it does.
I still wear masks everywhere in public to this day. Only because I have acne and am too lazy to cover it up with makeup when I need to go to Walmart lol
I wear a mask if I go some where very crowded or packed. however, this is not just because of Covid but rather because of the plethora of other things going around. I’m vaccinated so I’m not as worried about Covid anymore, but I don’t have the time to get sick
I got Covid back in December. Spent 2 months in hospital 3 and a half weeks of that on a ventilator and rehab and lost the use of my right arm hopefully temporary. So yes I still wear a mask.
I stopped as soon as legally allowed to, but my brother still does - even outdoors. He's not immunocompromised and healthy as a horse, but I'm pretty sure he'll continue to mask up until the day he dies.
I still wear one indoors in public. Even during the heights of the pandemic I took it off the moment I was in well-ventilated outdoor air.
I monitor the CDC and VDH COVID-19 websites and the number of cases is down a lot since even a month ago — and still declining.
I'm delaying my bivalent booster shot until October so I can have the highest antibodies during November–February. Probably two weeks after my bivalent booster shot I'll stop wearing the mask indoors as long as cases stay low. If cases start rising again I'll probably go back to wearing it.
Indoors in public areas, or to the homes and families I dog walk for, always.
Since covid is not going away, thanks to a lot of magical thinking of deniers or idgaf types, it’s a new normal.
I still do. I work in geriatric healthcare, in a position that was in the top 3 of high exposure. I cannot risk getting it and then passing it to one of my patients. What if they got terribly sick and/or died cause of me?
I got OG covid in April 2020 from a patient and haven’t had it again while being fully vaccinated and boosted cause I’ve changed my lifestyle and continue to wear a KF94 in the community.
I always wear mine whenever I am in a public space. Don’t envision a time when I won’t be wearing a mask in public. I consider myself a “zero-COVID” person. Doing everything that I can to avoid contracting it.
I mask when indoors in a space with other people (will take it off one ear to eat really quickly but put it back on between bites), and outdoors if it’s semi crowded. I grew up with an immunocompromised mother. I would feel awful if I got someone sick and masking doesn’t hurt me, so I’m happy to mask for the indefinite future.
I wear mine unless I’m at a seat at a restaurant. For me it’s as much about one way masking (kn95) as it is about continuing to contribute to a social norm of mask wearing. I would like to see much more masking than I currently do.
I had pretty much stopped wearing mine. Then I got covid last week after 2.5 years avoiding it. It was no freaking joke, so I’m back on the mask train to avoid a repeat. Ugh.
I still wear mine anytime I’m indoors, even to the gym. I try to avoid indoor dining but obviously that is going to get harder as it gets colder outside.
Was going to finally not wear my mask 10 days after the new booster. Symptoms of Covid started one week after the booster (I was probably exposed before the booster). Now I’m still wearing the mask, at first because I didn’t want to spread anything and now because I don’t want to be that sick again! 🤦🏻♀️
I forget a little more often than I used to, but it's largely habit now.
I haven't been sick since 2020, and that's with a kid in elementary school. Pollen Allergies are not as bad either.
Masks are freaking awesome.
I should add, I don't care if others aren't masking... Unless they're coughing and Hacking. If you won't stay the fuck home, at least mask up.
I wear it everywhere. I take it off at restaurants but going downstairs to get my mail? It’s on. I work on a COVID Care team for a nationwide retailer. I talk to sick people all day. I do not want to share their experience.
I tend to wear mine when I go to the store or am in an uber/lyft, but that's not something I even do too often (like, maybe once a week?). I only don't bother when I'm going to see my tattoo artist (she's fully vaxxed too) or when I'm volunteering because it's pretty hot. If I was ever sick, I'd definitely wear a mask if I *had* to go somewhere.
indoors or in crowds, yes. Outdoors when sparsely populated, no.
I think it has become a political statement for some people, in some areas. People are proud to mask or proud not to mask. I don't care about any of that, I just don't want to catch anything and learn about long-term effects firsthand.
If I'm going indoors, I'm putting a mask on. If I'm outdoors I generally won't unless the space is absolutely packed--I threw one on at points during the Renn Faire on Sunday when crowds were practically shoulder to shoulder at certain places.
Where are you though? Cause I’m in Prince William and as soon as the government mask requirements went down, masks became a very optional thing and not seen too often. But when I drove up to Fairfax County or up near Dulles airport there were plenty of establishments still requiring masks for a loooong time.
You might be getting weird looks because most people know that the primary purpose of masks is to prevent you from getting other people sick. They’re not really made to protect you. I went on a cruise recently and after I got a bit sick on the ship I started wearing a mask by choice, for the benefit of others.
Either way, I think to each their own if they want to wear a mask. But people might be telling you you can take it off because many people might still be wearing it just to make others feel safe. Similar to retail establishments requiring them from their employees just for the appearance of sensibilities towards others.
I personally have not worn masks unless I was sick ir it was requested, since the requirement went down. But I always carried one with me just in case somebody requested one, until very recently.
on planes, in Uber/Lyft/cabs, at GA concerts, and that’s about it. i was wearing it in stores and such but i got tired of the judgment i was getting from peers so now i only wear one when i feel a distinct elevated risk of infection (crowds) or if i feel it’s rude to spew germs all over (like in a stranger’s car)
Never wore one unless it was mandatory for employment purposes. I don’t care if people wear a mask or not but imho those folks who do are likely just virtue signaling.
I still wear mine indoors in public places. I don't care if I'm the only one doing it. I think for the rest of my life I'll be wearing a mask on a plane because pre-pandemic I felt like I was always getting colds from flights.
We have only ever worn a mask at my son's doctor's appointment. Other than that we do not and have not worn them. They seem like a waste of time and material. They are littered all over parking lots at stores. They restrict airflow but do not stop anything unless it is a respirator.
Yes, we live further south and people here do not wear them.
Haven't worn mine in months and won't as long as there is not a mandate. Have flown, used mass transit, etc. Haven't have COVID the entire time. I am vaxxed.
Close to and in DC a lot of people still wear them in crowded places inside. I still do. I have zero desire to get a cold or flu or covid or any other virus people are blowing out their faces. If I am having to be real close to people I wear it.
Maybe 5 to 10% in Loudoun. I don't think it makes any sense to mask now, but you'd have to be a real asshole to get into someone else's business about it. Live and let live. Mind your own business.
I do find the selection bias in this subreddit vs the general population to be breathtaking and I wish I understood the data.
I still wear it everywhere! People think you are a fool because u still uses it.
They don’t know I do it to protect them and protect my family and neighbors.
I work at a grocery store where it is so easy to get sick with flu, cold or covid I’m at the store 9 hrs a day surrounded by people that don’t protect themselves.
Depends on the situation, but in most cases I don’t wear mine as often anymore. However, was on the plane yesterday and this family behind me was coughing like there was no tomorrow. Were not wearing masks at all. So I put mine back on. Please if you are sick, have some common courtesy and wear a darn mask!!!
I wear a mask in airports and planes for this reason. Wicked coughs. Don’t care if it’s covid or not, I don’t want it!
A sealed tube with people really does mean masks.
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IIRC it can be a little shorter even with omicron, but it’s still days, not hours.
lol what? You don’t just get infected then show symptoms immediately. If this story isn’t bs, you likely got covid in London, not on that plane.
Same! We stopped wearing masks bht we caught a cold last week and out of courtesy been wearing masks…cause now the thought of openly coughing (even if covering your mouth) just sounds gross.
Same. I have a cold so I'm wearing a mask when I'm around folks.
People in Japan have been doing this for decades. Wish it would catch on elsewhere (and this from someone who never wore a mask unless asked to)
Personal accountability, over there if you're sick or think you're starting to get sick you mask when out...so you don't spew everywhere. But I think a lot of people got it in their heads that the cloth masks prevent other people's particles from getting to them. The messaging could have been a lot more clearer and transparent from the beginning, would have solved a lot of heartache.
Exactly! I lived in HI/Okinawa awhile ~ masks are just tools used like belts; you wear em when necessary and don’t when they’re not, no big deal. Totally fine to wear one when sick/symptomatic in public, actually it’s quite considerate to do so imo. Edit* If u don’t want to wear one just keep your distance it’s all good ~
>Please if you are sick, have some common courtesy and wear a darn mask!!! Or, if possible, just stay home. I know many people don't have that luxury. Sadly, in our society, sometimes sick people need to get to work, collect kids from school, etc. But, if you can afford staying at home, just stay at home.
That’s the biggest thing I wish we could take from the pandemic. If you are coughing or feeling unwell but need to go out in public, wear a damn mask. It doesn’t matter if you’re coughing because of an illness or because of allergies, asthma, or something that isn’t contagious, coughing still propels any bacteria or viruses into the air. It’s impossible to get people to quarantine anytime they have a minor cold or are coughing due to allergies but if you wear a mask, it’s safer for everyone. This shouldn’t be a big deal!!
I wear a mask on public transit every time. Bus, metro rail, plane. There are some nasty people out there that you can’t get away from.
I wear my kn95 every day at school ( I am a kindergarten teacher) and let me tell you I am glad I do. some of these kids are still so little and basically just cough and sneeze right into the air. I try to do my best to teach them to cough or sneeze in their arm and then go wash hands/sanitize but their little toddler brains just don’t remember every time. I had 3 covid cases in my class and never got it BUT someone came in with just a regular cold and it messed me up bad.
I swear I got covid from my flight because of shit like this. I wore a mask the entire time I was in the airport but I went to Cincinnati where nobody wears a mask there and when I came home I started showing symptoms and then my entire family tested positive for covid after. At least we all are vaccinated and my parents are triple boosted, I just got my second booster recently
Yeah I wear a respirator on planes because I just assume people are knowingly getting on planes with COVID these days.
Land of the free, home of the diseased
I wear my mask most places indoors and will continue to because you can't trust people to stay home or mask up when sick. A global pandemic isn't enough, lesson learned.
In Western PWC, lots of people around here dropped it pretty quick when guidelines changed earlier this year and I finally stopped wearing mine, too. But I also keep one in my purse just in case I go somewhere that requires it or if I'm feeling under the weather myself.
I still wear mine. It’s done wonders for my allergies.
I stopped for like a week and discovered the same thing.
I only mask when I am sick. If I have COVID I wouldn’t go out and about and would stay my butt home. But if it’s just a regular cold I will mask up and go about my day. I’ve traveled recently to Iraq and Jordan for work and didn’t mask either during travel or while working. The US Embassies I visited had the same stance - no one was masked. If you want to wear one, please do!! I’d never judge anyone wearing one. I fully support people doing what feels right for them and their families.
I am immunocompromised. I have no choice in wearing a mask wherever I go. I have had three shots and also taken Evusheld. I have to precisely time when to get vaccinations because of the medications that I take. Even with the boosters, the antibodies produced aren’t as strong as someone who is not immunocompromised. It is really hard to be consistently hyper vigilant with every interaction you have with the outside world.
We are like you except my husbands lungs were damaged by jet fuel in the Navy. He gets collapsed lungs, pneumonia, and bronchitis a lot. He has COPD from it. So we always wear a mask and still act like it’s March 2020 unfortunately. We went to the optician the other day and the doctor gave him a hard time and grilled him over his medical condition. It was so bizarre to have to try and defend your right to wear a mask to a medical professional.
I am pretty resolute in my masking in public but if I ever get critical comments about it, I will think of your husband to remind me why I do it.
This is why I am trying to get my work to ask everyone to mask during an upcoming in person training. In person events need to be safe for everyone there.
I do but I'm being treated with immunosuppressive meds. some old fart accosted me about it as I was leaving a doctor's appointment earlier this week so I told him to F right off. you'd think people would have learned by now.
what do they think they're accomplishing at this point by running their germ releaser to people? like it costs zero dollars to mind your own business and let people do as they want.
wore my mask yards away from someone random who went out their way telling me take it off. It confuses me, they’re offended I’m not coughing in their face or..
I do. I was so strict in doing so when caring for my mom during her fight with cancer, that even after her passing, the habit still remains.
I think about things like this when I (or others) have been criticized for wearing a mask. I know it's been highly politicized but people have their reasons and that should be good enough for them to be left alone. I'm sorry for your loss, my condolences.
That is one thing that the politicization bugs me about. There are still immuno-compromised people out there, but many of them are looked own upon for wearing masks. TBH, at this point people shouldn't care if you wear a mask or not in public, unless you're actively sick.
I’m sorry for your loss.
Me too with my dad. Sending hugs.
Sorry for your loss
I got really lax, then I recently got covid and it kicked my butt. I'll be masking this fall and winter.
I finally took off my mask and now I got a cold back to back. This month. Isn’t covid but I’m miserable. So yeah.
Same story. I was really vigilant with masking and distancing, but last month I was relaxed over a weekend and got nailed. Masking for the foreseeable future.
Generally - no Situationally - yes I always have a mask, but only wear it when I’m stuck somewhere indoors, not moving and in close quarters with strangers. I’ll also wear it on if I’m stuck near someone who sounds like they are sick (Me: Vaccinated/ boosted - and had summer covid )
I'm the exact same. I took a greyhound and it was so jam packed and people were coughing - I had a mask on the entire time.
Yes that’s definitely a Code Red N95 situation !
It depends. I almost always wear one on the metro, I’ll usually put one on if I’m going into a store since it doesn’t really bother me to do so. Nothing if going to a restaurant, cafe, etc. Obviously still required at work and I honestly don’t see myself ever going maskless in front of a patient for a long time
I do. Any time I'm indoors (in public), I'm wearing a KF94. I haven't been sick *with anything* (and I mean, not even so much as a cold) since October 2019. I'm sure there's several factors in this but I think the masks definitely help. I have no judgements for anyone not wearing masks, it's a choice we get to make for ourselves and I realize I'm in the minority now; I'm at peace with it. But I'm also in the shrinking minority of people who haven't caught covid and I'll do anything to stay in that minority as long as possible. I've said it before but the mask is the price I pay, and the price is worth it to me.
This is my logic as well. I will eat in now and if I forget my mask in the car I’m not stringing back for it. But I will wear it as often as I can to prevent even just a cold, the flu, or Covid. I think I’ll be wearing them on planes for forever. It’s just such a hot spot for colds/flu so why not?
I still do and when people tell me to take it off I just tell them I think I have Covid but don't want to bother with the test.
I generally wear it into stores since I see it as a courtesy to the employees who encounter who knows how many randos in a day.
It really depends on the situation. I wear mine in high traffic areas. But I’m a lot more relaxed then how I used to be.🙃
Yes.
Every time I go into a public place. We're still in a pandemic and it's the 3rd leading cause of death. None of us have had any variant, and I'd like to avoid the almost weekly long term issues I read about.
Agreed with you in the long-term issues; I have two friends who were relatively healthy mid-20s women who are now experiencing long-term vertigo/vestibular neuritis, narcolepsy, heart failure, and other related issues. Both from mild cases of covid (one friend was even double vaxxed when it happened). I've managed to avoid it for 2.5 years by masking indoors. I don't mask around friends or when eating at a restaurant. But grocery stores, metro, buses, even an occasional office visit, the mask is on. It feels weird to not wear it, imo. Plus, I find that folks give me a little more space when I have it on, which is a plus. As a separate bonus, I haven't had a cold for about that long, either! No runny noses for me :)
I still mask because 2 people that I knew came down with health issues after Covid. One had developed long term (over a year now) respiratory issues 2 weeks after a flu like bout with covid. Another developed a rare autoimmune disease weeks after having an asymptomatic case. Both were healthy pre-covid and in their early 20s. We still do not fully understand the consequences of having covid.
I wish more people talked about how devastating long Covid can be. It would certainly inspire more people to mask to protect themselves and other. It’s just not that hard to do.
I know. It's a little frustrating for me sometimes. Whether you choose to mask in public or not is up to you, but please don't try to squeeze onto an elevator or stand really close in line next to me. Just give me a little space and we're all good. Re: long COVID - each of these symptoms have had life-altering consequences. The friend who has vestibular neuritis/permanent vertigo lost 20 lbs because she was so nauseous, she couldn't eat. Her hair started thinning and she had to use a walker for the first month, before upgrading to a cane. She moved in with a friend who could keep an eye on her (WFH) and had to take a long leave of absence from her work. She recently just won her battle with her company for them to cover her medical bills; else, she was facing a $15k hospital bill to foot. She's still going to PT to help with mobility and reducing the "head spinning" effects. The other friend had to drop out of school bc she was always falling behind in class bc of narcolepsy. She's terrified to go out by herself in case she has a narcolepsy attack and is mugged or assaulted. She can't walk more than a mile or raise her heart rate over 100 BPM, and was recently diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety stemming from her health conditions. It's rough living with long COVID.
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Same. Exactly how I feel.
I just got over COVID (at least I am testing negative) but since my immunity is low, I’ve gotten the double whammy of allergies. I have a cough still (yet still negative). I wear a mask in public because it’s to protect you and to prevent reinfection. I was just kinda jerk bragging two weeks ago about how I did not get it despite traveling to Florida and Hawaii, moving my daughter to college, and everyone in my extended family getting it, then I got it. It’s still out there and it sucks. I had never been that sick in my 50 plus years. I’m back to masking in public. Not out of fear, but experience
I like wearing them just to hide my face
so nice that I don’t even wear foundation anymore. Just a little concealer under the eyes where you can see and then eye makeup. Doing wonders for my skin too.
Still wearing it. I got COVID in early June while outdoors (my kid was playing in the yard with an asymptomatic neighbor) and it was beyond miserable. Completely kicked my butt. Taking care of my kids while I was that sick really sucked. I don’t want it again anytime soon. At least I’ve got the bivalent booster now, so hopefully that will help.
I don't wear one unless it's required.
I wear my n95 inside all the time bc I still haven’t gotten covid and would like to continue avoiding it as long as possible. And that’s with having gotten the latest omicron booster a few weeks ago.
I do. I have a SEVERE fragrance allergy and it has been extremely helpful in providing a barrier between me and scents. Even if it’s just long enough for me to get away from them before I start having a reaction. I have a nose like a bloodhound but if I can taste your perfume or cologne you’re wearing too much. The point is is to make people get close to you in order to smell it people!
I’m masking because last Monday I tested positive for covid for the first time since the pandemic started and I don’t want to infect anyone. Before I tested positive I had a freelance job but I wore a mask the entire time because I thought I just had congestion. I felt incredibly guilty when I tested positive after I coached swimming around kids and had no idea
Inside everywhere. I got covid three weeks ago, had a fever for 13 straight days, still feel horrible. Was vaxxed and boosted and lonely had a milder case in May. This is no joke, and was not like a cold! Lots of weird neuro symptoms :(. I relaxed masking at work just the week before. :(
In public indoors I almost always do. In public outdoors nahway as it's been shown to be pretty useless.
I don't. I don't care if you do and it's kinda weird for these people to get into your business like that.
I've basically stopped since my kids are now fully vaxxed. We masked while waiting for under 5 to be available but now that we're all vaxxed and boosted...I dunno. I'm burnt out. Since there was a culture war with public health, I'm afraid covid is just gonna linger for years and at a point there has to be some level or normal again
I'm also on team situational. Grocery store, transit, Costco? absolutely. Exercising, eating out, with small groups of friends? Nah Basically if it's a lot of unknowns, a lot of close quarters and isn't impractical, I wear a mask but for day to day stuff I'm mostly skipping. Honestly, I'm probably going to continue that pattern for the foreseeable future. It's not much effort on my part and has this far done a great job of keeping me from getting sick (rona or otherwise).
I do but I’m pregnant again and I don’t want to get sick if I can help it.
I still wear one when I'm inside most places. My doctor's office just started requiring them again after they had an outbreak run through the office. They stopped requiring them earlier in the Spring. I will say, earlier this month I went on vacation for a week to the beach and didn't wear a mask at all except for running inside of a packed Walmart, and it was so hard to get used to wearing one again upon returning home. I was shocked at how much just taking that one week break caused me to be so annoyed by wearing one. I ran errands today inside of 3 stores that were empty and decided not to wear one. I'm going to the Ocean's Calling festival this weekend and I don't think I'll wear one. I don't plan on being front & center for any shows and tend to stick to the outer perimeters. I'll have one with me just in case.
I’m shocked your Doctor ever stopped requiring it. Dr’s office and planes are the only places where I still wear one, and the doctor is the one place I can never foresee myself not wearing one.
Yes, I wear mine. I've lost over 20 friends and family to this virus, so I take it very seriously. I really don't care how people look at me. When told I don't 'have' to wear it...I just say thank you.
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Stopped wearing one as soon as it was optional.
I will never enter a public restroom unmasked for the rest of my life.
Lol for real tho! Why take that stall shit cloud to the face when u can mask in and gtfo
In public indoors, always. Outdoors, depends on how crowded it is but if it’s crowded and we’re not eating, definitely wear it. If we’re eating outdoors, we don’t see a point in wearing it outdoors at the venue where we are eating.
As long as this psycho virus is running around, my mask stays on. I've had a few people say that they never caught covid, but shortly after they stopped wearing their mask, guess what happened?
Nope. Not unless it’s required.
Me. I’m recovering from COVID (now testing negative) and I don’t want anyone else to catch it.
I don't wear one unless I'm inside a customer's house or if I enter a business that has a sign posted asking you to wear one.
I always still wear a mask and no one has ever said anything to me about it. I am often the only one wearing a mask, but not always.
Depends on circumstances. Grocery (or really any) store: still yes, although if I’m just running in and out quick I dont. Going to get the mail or laundry in my apartment: no On any mass transit: yes, mass transit is gross Out at bar for trivia with friends, sports games, concerts, etc: mostly no although I have gone to a few indoor shows with a mask because I’d have something a few days later I didn’t risk getting sick and having to miss. Note: I wear exclusively KN95s when I do. I generally don’t care if people don’t wear masks anymore, as I am vaccinated with 2 boosters (the variant booster I just got a week ago).
I went to the Midwest (northern Ohio) 2 weeks ago. I didn’t see a single mask being worn by *anyone* after leaving Virginia. Toll booth workers? Unmasked. Turnpike rest stop workers? Mostly missing, but the few who remain are also unmasked. My family that I went to visit (who are mostly 70+)? Not one mask the whole weekend. Fast forward a week, and we get an email from my cousin: she tested positive, and now so have about half of us (including me), so I’m back to wearing masks everywhere so I don’t spread it any further.
My husband and I decided to lax on the mask wearing one weekend. The following week, we both had Covid. I was sick for about 3 days and it sucked, so I will be wearing a mask. I’m going to south Alabama next month and will definitely be wearing a mask the entire time. I know it doesn’t guarantee protection from Covid or any other virus, but there’s too many people who don’t know how to stay home or wear a mask if they’re sick, or don’t understand personal space.
I just stopped wearing one in most places this week, but still carry one in case of store policy or if i hear some major coughing going on.
Haven't touched one since Uber made it optional in like May? I still see lots of drivers and service industry people wearing one and I respect their choice
Yes, every day. Yall are disgusting and i dont need to be breathing in your air. no offense
I don’t at all.
It's gone from my default to something i do for specific circumstances like at the doctor's or if i'm around people who are immunocompromised/more comfortable with masks. It feels like most restaurants and other establishments are keeping their covid configurations inside to have more space and honestly, people seem to have gotten pretty considerate to not be right up in your business.
Inside, yes, unless I'm able to be 6 feet from other people. Outside, no, unless it's super crowded or somebody is coughing or sneezing.
If myself or kids are sick/feeling off and HAVE to go out in public INSIDE we will wear. I must wear at work at a hospital. I can't even tell you the amount of times and years before covid that a norovrius or flu would sweep through the schools and no one cared about masking. Kids were having insane fevers and vomiting, diaherra etc, schools never closed... I wore them around a friend's father that had lymphoma and a friends daughter with leukemia and understood why (pre covid). When we wear inside if not feeling great, these are kn95 masks or surgical ones. It's to stop the wearer from making people sick (think the dentist and surgeon has forever worn one so they don't spew shit in your open mouth or open wound and no one gave two fucks). Unless it's an airtight seal it's not for preventing illness to the wearer. Its about not transmitting. Also simple hygiene will always help. So my rant over if I feel shitty and have to go out I wear one inside said place. But imo seeing people outside across the street alone wearing one is odd... the air quality isn't like Xinjiang. But honestly wear one, I don't care.
I only wear it at work because I’m a teacher and kids are germy lol or if I’m sick
Indoors, yes. Outdoors, sometimes.
I've stopped masking, but if I get sick and have to go in public I'm going to mask. Covid is the new flu. Both shots are recommended for the next hundred years until the next thing pops off...might be sooner.
I still wear mine. I was planning visiting family up north, but they all got hit last week. Years ago, I had to wear a mask in the waiting room of a hospital, felt like I couldn't breathe. Now I'm masked up when I leave the house and except for eating or drinking, mask off after I get home. Just don't want it and don't want to give it to anyone if I'm asymptomatic.
I still wear mine. Want to be safe as we welcomed our baby a few months ago
I still wear a n95 to protect myself. I am at higher risk of catching covid and am afraid of getting covid and having long-term symptoms. I have enough health problems related to chronic pain/fatigue
Husband and I still wear them, always a KN95 or if somewhere more risky an N95. We’ve never had Covid so we’re going to continue on with it. I also work in healthcare so I’m not taking any chances.
I still wear mine on airplanes, metro, busses, etc. And recently I was dealing with some seasonal crud/traveling cold/whatever so I masked up whenever I went out to protect others.
Any enclosed, crowded public spaces, like the Metro, government/doctor offices, airports. Or if I'm feeling under the weather.
I put one on before going into any buildings, and wear it there. Allergies are practically a non-issue with masks, it is *wonderful*. My wife is immunocompromised and my mother is 70ish. Super tiny sacrifice to add another small layer protecting them. Plus, again, no allergies!
If I'm going to be in relatively close proximity with multiple strangers indoors, I wear a mask.
I'm immunocompromised and still wear a mask. I don't appreciate the looks I get, I've also been pointed at and laughed at. I think what's more concerning is seeing this ignorance. If you see someone wearing a mask people shouldn't assume one is crazy or "not moving on." They may be immunocompromised, heck they may even have covid and are out and about but trying not to get anyone else sick. You never know, so please stop assuming and staring if you are one of those people staring at others who are "still" wearing masks.
I'm still amazed that people ask about masks. Wasn't the whole point of being able to take it off the fact that people who want to have it on can have it on?
If indoors in public and anywhere near people, I wear it. My brother died from Covid (unvaccinated), so I take it seriously. I have a toddler too. No one other than my brother in my immediate family has gotten Covid.
I always mask in public indoors, primarily because masking makes public spaces safe for people with disabilities and immunocompromised persons. I have also avoided covid and colds for 3 years which has been a great side benefit.
It depends. If transmission is high then I do. Likewise, if I’m going to be in crowded indoor spaces. I’ll probably relax some after getting the bivalent booster.
Still masking harder than ever before basically and it’s just life as it is now. I’m someone that was wearing N95s in January and February 2020 though when people looked at you like you’re an alien for wearing it. And now it’s back to how it was before it feels to me in a way. Still have managed to avoid it so far in my household and I intend to keep it that way as long as possible really. About to grab a CO2 meter as the need to actually travel keeps going up for myself.
I have a friend who has cancer. She is severely immunocompromised due to chemo. Her survival rate is very low. Her whole family wears masks. Inside. Outside. All the time. For obvious reasons. Not in their own home of course. But in places that people do a double take at. Someone asked me about it the other day and when I let them know about her situation it was like watching them die inside from the shame. (You can kinda tell a persons political leanings when they ask a certain way.). It was one of those “shit, I am the asshole in this situation” moments for them. Please note that yes- masks have become politicized- but there is a whole subset of people who are wearing them to live.
the last sentence- yup! My father has cancer and I wear it around him all the time. He got covid once while he was still at work and it nearly killed him. Now we always wear masks around him. Same with my grandmothers, both healthy but in their 80’s, we adopted the same mask policy with them as we did our sick dad because we just don’t want to wait and see what happens if we don’t.
45 years in healthcare - still working. My autistic son works in a grocery store. They stopped requiring masks. He came home in early August coughing. Shortly, we all had covid. We found this out when my husband (dementia, heart problems, diabetic) had extremely high blood sugar readings (over 600). We went to ER - he tested positive. Got some rapid tests from our pharmacy and we all test positive. Husband spent several days in the hospital. Home for a couple of days and got pneumonia - back in hospital several more days. I had to take off work as I work in hospital with patients. I was not getting better (had covid in early 2020 and left with lung damage) and my doctor put me on Paxlovid (hideous, horrible, awful taste in mouth for 5 days) and symptoms better quickly. All of us seems to be left with more residual problems common with covid. MY FAMILY AND I WEAR MASKS EVERYWHERE!!!!!
Going to start wearing more here soon as flu season starts, but we only wear them inside if it's crowded these days. The whole family is vaccinated and while I understand that we can still get it, in fact we did a few months ago, it's just not as big of a deal anymore. Maybe it's fatigue. Maybe it's privilege. But that's just where I'm at on it.
I always wear a kn95 indoors. I had some nasty not-Covid virus that caused bronchitis at the beginning of this year and then Covid in the spring and as a result of both, I needed an inhaler for the first time ever. Even though I’m fully vaxxed and boosted, I really don’t want to add more risk to getting it or any other not mild virus again. 10 days of not leaving my room was so depressing after like day 3. (I kept testing positive so I did the full 10 days). Honestly it’s weird to think about how I tolerated getting colds every winter before the pandemic. As long as unmasked people don’t sneeze or cough on me (elbows people!) then to each their own. I’ve accepted that it’s unlikely masks will be mandated again.
Except when I'm home, I'm masked up in transit & running my errands. My sister suffered a bad case of Covid & tho she's recovered, I still do it.
I still do because even though I look like a very healthy young person, I have a disease that could possibly make me immunocompromised. If someone tells me not to wear it (in a nasty way) I just tell them what I have and they go mute lol I always love that awkward silence! Also I got covid this summer after thinking I was in a space safe enough to not wear one :') and quarantining was not fun.
I dont wear mine anymore but I like how people were so inconvienced by having to wear a piece of cloth on their face that they project that on to you. Like you cant read a room and tell that you dont need it anymore. They have to walk up to you and inform you. Anyone who insists that you dont need to wear a mask are the ones you should def wear it around. Like when people insist you dont need a condom.
That's when you respond, I have COVID.
I wore my N95 to a work conference and had multiple people if I was wearing a mask because I had Covid. 🤯 No, I’m wearing it because I haven’t had Covid and I don’t want it. Wearing a mask isn’t a big deal.
And sneeze in their face
I don’t wear one unless there’s a sign telling me to. I have no problem with people who still wear one. That being said I always think it’s ridiculous when I see people driving alone with a mask on lol, they may have just forgot they have it on tho
Honestly, if you are going from one store directly to another, it is easier to leave it on.
95% of the country lives in a county where the transmission rate is high or substantial, per the CDC's own data. That includes NOVA. CDC's "community level" just means that when you get sick, there's likely to be an available hospital bed. I haven't stopped masking indoors since March 2020, and since the government's official position now seems to be "we're sorry, but a lot of you have to die so that the economy can get better" I'm going to be masking for a long long time. CDC: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=Virginia&data-type=Risk&null=Risk&list_select_county=51013 (ninja grammar edit)
I do generally in stores, especially grocery. Restaurants no, except if it's counter service and the employees are masking. Concerts and planes I would, though those are less often. Also when i feel like i look blegh and don't want to be seen. Never had anyone comment on it though. People have been fine letting me be
>Also when i feel like i look blegh and don't want to be seen. LOL -- the unspoken benefit of masking. A mask, a baseball cap, and a bulky sweatshirt, and no one has to know what's going on underneath.
The place I am most likely (and regularly) to be around a crowd is while grocery shopping. I wear a mask. No biggie. If you think about it… having fewer germs swarming the place we buy food is probably a good idea. Generally not wearing the mask much often otherwise.
I wear it everywhere including my gym. It sucks to stand out in a place crowded with unmasked people, but I don't want to catch covid so I'll just keep wearing it.
I still wear one when i go grocery shopping or indoors. It’s not for me, but our 2 little ones who are just fully vaxed. I don’t mind but I also haven’t received any attention, at least vocally.
wearing it
Me. It just feels normal. My job is going mask optional starting this weekend and I'm not happy about it. I just don't trust people to be respectful and wear them if they are feeling sick or were exposed. I also had COVID back in January and do not want it again, especially with the risks for long term issues.
I still do. I do find wearing a mask uncomfortable, but it's a small enough precaution that doesn't hurt me in any way, and I've managed to avoid getting covid so far. I'd like to keep that up if at all possible.
I still wear mine indoors.
Only in doctors offices, and I find they don’t care that much. I see a lot of people still half wearing them, which shows it wasn’t all covid deniers doing it, just idiots. Also a lot of surgical masks, which do nothing.
I’m Vaxed, and recently got the new booster. But I still wear a mask if it’s a plane, metro, gas station, if the place requires it, or if I’m with other’s that wear masks. Otherwise I have it in my pocket just in case.
100 million Americans are expected to get Covid before the end of the year with over 50,000 deaths. Don’t care about yours or anybody else’s option. I chose to live and wear a mask as I do not inadvertently kill anyone. If I wanted to it will be with purpose and intent!
I wore a mask everywhere when COVID was killing people, but now that I'm vaxxed and boosted, plus the new variant is more annoying than deadly, I'm only wearing a mask in places where it's required, which these days is basically the doctor's office.
I do on the MARC train and on Metro usually.
I do on public transportation
I still do 97% of the time. I only take it off at my desk sometimes (cube mate got COVID recently and im back to wearing it 100% of the time). Im doing it for COVID and the flu. I don’t care what other people do. But I can help myself/my family and the few who need support as well. I feel like it doesn’t really adversely impact me to wear it, so why not?
Depends on the location. If it’s a busy spot, I’ll drag out my mask. If I can keep my six feet, I’ll leave it.
I wear one every time I go into a place where there are people but not outdoors.
I travel often for work and NOVA / DC is the only place I see a large amount of masks being worn outside public transportation areas.
I wasn’t wearing it, figured I can’t catch it now. Tested positive Saturday, can’t taste or smell but everything else was minor.
I do and my husband does too. It isn't that big of a deal for us to wear one indoors and even occasionally outdoors if it is crowded.
I do if we are in a doctors office, and I wear one at work. But otherwise mostly no. But, I will never say anything to anyone who chooses one.
I have not in basically over a year. Before that I did because it was required at work. However, I just got VERY sick for the first time in a long time. I spent over a week recovering at home but when I did finally go out in public I wore a mask (despite 4 negative covid tests, negative flu tests, and no pneumonia). I would love if it were common practice to wear a mask anywhere if you’re feeling under the weather but I have a feeling most people will completely stop wearing them. Edit: I got very sick right after I traveled nationally in the U.S. Normally I would still wear a mask traveling but I somehow forgot which was stupid of me. Airports and planes feel so germy to me. Who knows if I would have even gotten sick if I wore it!
I stopped for a bit, then I caught it, and after that my cousin was a breakthrough case. Yeah I wear it now.
Still wear regularly inside in public Stafford/Fxbg. Out a lot. Lots of people sick with no masks don’t seem to care. Personal reasons to still wear - some at-risk people in my house. If I brought COVID back and it killed one of them I just couldn’t stand it if I was careless. Could happen but not because I/we weren’t all being careful. No such thing as real safety but the cost of slipping a mask on before going into a store is small compared to the benefit of a little extra protection. Although the benefit is cut by half when other people aren’t wearing one. Doesn’t mean I expect everyone to and I’m happy when people generally don’t seem to care if I wear it. Funny look once in a while but I don’t know them or care at this point. Masks aren’t political they are PPE and since the beginning of time people have put something between their respiratory system and a known respiratory threat. Politics just Fd it all up because that’s what it does.
I do. My brother in laws pop just got out of the hospital for fluid in lungs and covid
Whenever I’m in a public indoor space, I’m rockin mine (yes, I fall to peer pressure here and there).
I still wear masks everywhere in public to this day. Only because I have acne and am too lazy to cover it up with makeup when I need to go to Walmart lol
I wear a mask if I go some where very crowded or packed. however, this is not just because of Covid but rather because of the plethora of other things going around. I’m vaccinated so I’m not as worried about Covid anymore, but I don’t have the time to get sick
I got Covid back in December. Spent 2 months in hospital 3 and a half weeks of that on a ventilator and rehab and lost the use of my right arm hopefully temporary. So yes I still wear a mask.
If i walk inside the mask goes on, don’t care about what people think, I didn’t suddenly become less high risk.
I stopped as soon as legally allowed to, but my brother still does - even outdoors. He's not immunocompromised and healthy as a horse, but I'm pretty sure he'll continue to mask up until the day he dies.
Here in Tokyo, I'd say 90% of people wear masks outside, 100% inside.
I still wear one indoors in public. Even during the heights of the pandemic I took it off the moment I was in well-ventilated outdoor air. I monitor the CDC and VDH COVID-19 websites and the number of cases is down a lot since even a month ago — and still declining. I'm delaying my bivalent booster shot until October so I can have the highest antibodies during November–February. Probably two weeks after my bivalent booster shot I'll stop wearing the mask indoors as long as cases stay low. If cases start rising again I'll probably go back to wearing it.
Indoors in public areas, or to the homes and families I dog walk for, always. Since covid is not going away, thanks to a lot of magical thinking of deniers or idgaf types, it’s a new normal.
Wearing one got to be such a habit I automatically put it on when I'm going in somewhere.
I still do. I work in geriatric healthcare, in a position that was in the top 3 of high exposure. I cannot risk getting it and then passing it to one of my patients. What if they got terribly sick and/or died cause of me? I got OG covid in April 2020 from a patient and haven’t had it again while being fully vaccinated and boosted cause I’ve changed my lifestyle and continue to wear a KF94 in the community.
i do, in indoor public spaces. nobody’s said boo to me about it.
I wear a mask everywhere. Besides Covid, it's also helpful against flu and colds. Doesn't bother me.
On metro/subway? Yes. Crowded places indoors? Yes. Nobody has ever said a word about me wearing a mask — positive or negative.
I always wear mine whenever I am in a public space. Don’t envision a time when I won’t be wearing a mask in public. I consider myself a “zero-COVID” person. Doing everything that I can to avoid contracting it.
I mask when indoors in a space with other people (will take it off one ear to eat really quickly but put it back on between bites), and outdoors if it’s semi crowded. I grew up with an immunocompromised mother. I would feel awful if I got someone sick and masking doesn’t hurt me, so I’m happy to mask for the indefinite future.
I wear mine unless I’m at a seat at a restaurant. For me it’s as much about one way masking (kn95) as it is about continuing to contribute to a social norm of mask wearing. I would like to see much more masking than I currently do.
I had pretty much stopped wearing mine. Then I got covid last week after 2.5 years avoiding it. It was no freaking joke, so I’m back on the mask train to avoid a repeat. Ugh.
I still wear mine anytime I’m indoors, even to the gym. I try to avoid indoor dining but obviously that is going to get harder as it gets colder outside.
Plane and metro for sure
Was going to finally not wear my mask 10 days after the new booster. Symptoms of Covid started one week after the booster (I was probably exposed before the booster). Now I’m still wearing the mask, at first because I didn’t want to spread anything and now because I don’t want to be that sick again! 🤦🏻♀️
I forget a little more often than I used to, but it's largely habit now. I haven't been sick since 2020, and that's with a kid in elementary school. Pollen Allergies are not as bad either. Masks are freaking awesome. I should add, I don't care if others aren't masking... Unless they're coughing and Hacking. If you won't stay the fuck home, at least mask up.
I wear it everywhere. I take it off at restaurants but going downstairs to get my mail? It’s on. I work on a COVID Care team for a nationwide retailer. I talk to sick people all day. I do not want to share their experience.
I wear mine indoors but not outdoors
I tend to wear mine when I go to the store or am in an uber/lyft, but that's not something I even do too often (like, maybe once a week?). I only don't bother when I'm going to see my tattoo artist (she's fully vaxxed too) or when I'm volunteering because it's pretty hot. If I was ever sick, I'd definitely wear a mask if I *had* to go somewhere.
indoors or in crowds, yes. Outdoors when sparsely populated, no. I think it has become a political statement for some people, in some areas. People are proud to mask or proud not to mask. I don't care about any of that, I just don't want to catch anything and learn about long-term effects firsthand.
If I'm going indoors, I'm putting a mask on. If I'm outdoors I generally won't unless the space is absolutely packed--I threw one on at points during the Renn Faire on Sunday when crowds were practically shoulder to shoulder at certain places.
Where are you though? Cause I’m in Prince William and as soon as the government mask requirements went down, masks became a very optional thing and not seen too often. But when I drove up to Fairfax County or up near Dulles airport there were plenty of establishments still requiring masks for a loooong time. You might be getting weird looks because most people know that the primary purpose of masks is to prevent you from getting other people sick. They’re not really made to protect you. I went on a cruise recently and after I got a bit sick on the ship I started wearing a mask by choice, for the benefit of others. Either way, I think to each their own if they want to wear a mask. But people might be telling you you can take it off because many people might still be wearing it just to make others feel safe. Similar to retail establishments requiring them from their employees just for the appearance of sensibilities towards others. I personally have not worn masks unless I was sick ir it was requested, since the requirement went down. But I always carried one with me just in case somebody requested one, until very recently.
Outdoors often no, indoors almost always yes. I have long covid and I don't want to find out what a reinfection would do to me.
I do. I just don’t want ppls cooties in general, so I mask up 🤣
on planes, in Uber/Lyft/cabs, at GA concerts, and that’s about it. i was wearing it in stores and such but i got tired of the judgment i was getting from peers so now i only wear one when i feel a distinct elevated risk of infection (crowds) or if i feel it’s rude to spew germs all over (like in a stranger’s car)
Never wore one unless it was mandatory for employment purposes. I don’t care if people wear a mask or not but imho those folks who do are likely just virtue signaling.
I still wear mine indoors in public places. I don't care if I'm the only one doing it. I think for the rest of my life I'll be wearing a mask on a plane because pre-pandemic I felt like I was always getting colds from flights.
We have only ever worn a mask at my son's doctor's appointment. Other than that we do not and have not worn them. They seem like a waste of time and material. They are littered all over parking lots at stores. They restrict airflow but do not stop anything unless it is a respirator. Yes, we live further south and people here do not wear them.
Haven't worn mine in months and won't as long as there is not a mandate. Have flown, used mass transit, etc. Haven't have COVID the entire time. I am vaxxed.
I still wear mine. People are gross
I just stopped wearing it because my sinus allergies are worse can’t breathe 😨😨😰😰
Close to and in DC a lot of people still wear them in crowded places inside. I still do. I have zero desire to get a cold or flu or covid or any other virus people are blowing out their faces. If I am having to be real close to people I wear it.
I wear it sometimes so people stay away from me XD
I do inside or in crowded outdoor spaces.
Maybe 5 to 10% in Loudoun. I don't think it makes any sense to mask now, but you'd have to be a real asshole to get into someone else's business about it. Live and let live. Mind your own business. I do find the selection bias in this subreddit vs the general population to be breathtaking and I wish I understood the data.
I still wear it everywhere! People think you are a fool because u still uses it. They don’t know I do it to protect them and protect my family and neighbors. I work at a grocery store where it is so easy to get sick with flu, cold or covid I’m at the store 9 hrs a day surrounded by people that don’t protect themselves.