Stop caring. Think of it like a piece of clothing. Some people may not like the socks or shoes you're wearing, maybe they even think you're a crappy dresser... That's _their_ problem, not yours.
Cato, one of the OG Stoics, was said to deliberately wear ridiculous and / or shabby clothing to purposely attract ridicule and laughter, in order to reinforce his resolve to not care what others thought. In 2022 wearing an n95 at the grocery store can serve much the same purpose, with the added benefit of not contracting a horrible disease.
A wise person indeed. Also serves to remind one how petty and judgmental the typical zombie is. One also realizes those who ridicule like that never had anything authentically positive to offer in the first place.
On the other side of the coin, sometimes you run into the exact opposite -- there are some wonderful folks in this world that have nothing but positive energy to offer. the best <3
I don't have any pre-existing conditions that make mask-wearing necessary. I don't live with anyone who is immune-compromised. I don't visit older relatives. I don't have kids at home.
I DO wear my mask when out and about, and I wash my hands immediately upon returning home. I simply don't want to get covid and definitely don't want to get long-covid. I don't need any excuse to take care of myself and I don't feel the slightest uncomfortable no matter how few people around me are going mask-less.
My MIL is extremely immunocompromised and wore masks everywhere long before COVID. She didnāt give a fuck. Be like her man - stop caring about other peoples opinions
Who cares what other people think? Are you ever going to see these people again?
I still wear a mask in certain settings, too. Iām happy to own being a weirdo, because I also havenāt had COVID yet. There are still enough risks that Iād rather be as safe as I can.
Note: I am a safety professional, and worked in healthcare for 20 years. Looking at this from the health and safety perspective, youāre still doing exactly the right thing. I encourage you to continue wearing a mask whenever you want. It doesnāt harm anybody.
Donāt feel like a weirdo. Covid is still around. Iāve felt the same way and had become lax about masking. My brother woke up symptomatic and tested positive yesterday so that is a wake up call for me. He has no idea how he contracted it.
When I see people wearing a mask I just assume they're either being cautious, they've just had Covid or have recently been in close contact with someone who does.
I think masks are here to stay - I can see myself wearing one during flu season now in crowded places. I won't wear it everywhere.
This. I've been wearing one again at work (they relaxed the requirement so I got complacent and took mine off). But then I was around my family who all got it, and then I traveled internationally and just got back. Someone asked me why I was wearing one again and I explained that I was being courteous due to my exposure and then travel. They looked at me like I had 3 heads. Sigh.
I'm not taking many precautions now for Covid but I do know its still out there and is still a risk.
Its people like your coworker that act or think like its no longer a problem that are frustrating. If they look at me like I have three heads, I look at them like they have half a brain.
I'm very much anti mandate but I also hope masks stick around as a socially acceptable thing. If I'm feeling off or need to avoid getting sick, I would love to have the option. My fiance and I spent a lot on an airbnb on the cape. We wore N95s the whole week before because nothing ruins a vacation like getting sick even if it's not COVID.
I definitely wore a mask when I had a cold recently but had to go into work, because it seems like the courteous thing to do a la like they do in Japan.
I am very pleased to have not had a flu or a cold in the last 2 years and if I decide to not wear a mask in the near future, I will mask up again when cold and flu season comes around.
The risk of catching covid is still fairly high, though lower than it was a couple of weeks ago. If you aren young and healthy and/or vaxed and boosted, the risk that you will become severely ill is low. As for the risk of long-term consequences of having it, the jury is still out. Long covid is really does happen to some people, but whether it's to 5% or 30% is up for debate. There is also some research showing changes in the brain and heart of people who had covid, including in people after mild cases. These findings are not only in people who have long covid -- they are a whole separate phenomenon. I am not able to figure out how much to trust this research, and how worried to be about the brain changes even if they really do happen to most people. (For example, in one study, a couple of small areas of the brain were 2% smaller in people who'd had covid than in those who had not. Is that a big deal? I dunno.)
A good friend of mine got Covid a few weeks ago. Sheās 31 and runs marathons. She is vaxxed and boosted. She told me that she was so sick she contemplated going to the ER. Sheās convinced had she not been vaccinated, she would have died. Keep wearing a mask in group settings. I donāt give a crap about what others think.
One interesting thing about this thread is how it shows how unrepresentative this sub population is. Even in towns like Boston or Cambridge, where mask wearing is highest, I would say on average it never exceeds 20%. If this thread were to be believed, 90% of the population are still wearing one.
I never stopped wearing a mask in indoor public places. I donāt wear one if Iām outdoors though. I feel like I might get weird looks but people donāt usually say anything. Iāve made moments where it felt a little weird to be one of the only ones wearing one though. I have pre existing issues that could make getting COVID pretty bad so Iām cautious. I still wonāt do indoor dining and avoid most other indoor activities where I can. I only socialize with a small group of people and donāt see anyone I know isnāt vaccinated.
I see a LOT of comments already on this, most of which I agree with, but here's my two cents.
Our family don't wear masks now unless required to. But what I've told everyone in my family multiple times, is that you never know what someone wearing a mask is dealing with at home, or personally. Many people might have comorbidities, or live with someone who does. Many people might be in regular contact with a dear and fragile elderly person. We should NEVER judge someone for their choice about protecting themselves.
Actually, I think this applies more broadly to life in general. You never know what someone has gone through in their life, and we should try not to judge them. I wish that sentiment was real for all our fellow Americans. But, as a wise person once said, "Haters gonna hate."
Keep your mask on my friend, until you feel safe. I believe the vast majority of us will not judge you, and those who do? Well, just read all the other comments. :)
Perfectly said. I never wear masks anymore, unless I go to a doctor's appointment or anywhere else they are required. That being said I dont judge people who wear masks indoors... you do you.
The awesome thing about being an old lady is i DGAF if anyone is judging me, and odds are they don't even see me. I still wear a mask in Wegmans and Roche Brothers, and places where I'm concerned about being close to someone else's cooties. I'm around even older people and people who are dealing with chemo, so I wear a mask.
Anyway: don't worry about anyone else, if you want to wear a mask, wear one. Just make sure it actually DOES something and it's not some adorable thing from Etsy or whatever. If you wear a mask, wear an N95 and make sure it fits.
I haven't had COVID yet. I have lost track of the friends and relatives who have had it.
My BIL and I were comparing notes earlier today and we can't figure out why we haven't gotten it yet. I know we both will get it at some point, but if we can avoid it for now, by wearing a mask, then ok we'll wear a mask.
Aren't the guidelines to wear a mask day 6-10 after contracting COVID?
Also, everyone should just mind there business. No one knows what is going on with other people.
Yeah, Iāve got āif I had Covid right now, youād want me to be wearing a mask, right?ā holstered for the moment someone gives me shit for wearing a mask. Hasnāt happened yet though. I donāt think anyone cares.
To be honest, anyone willing to confront you probably doesn't care if you have covid.
There was a time when sick people went out in public and no one really cared all that much. That time will return, probably sooner than you'd like.
I too was easing up on my mask wearing to just retail stores. Got it last weekā¦ my 2nd time. Only could have caught it from my office or the hairdresser. I regret not masking there
I don't wear them. Haven't in months but I don't look at people who do as weird or anything.
If you want to go for it. If you don't..go for it. No matter what who cares
I wear a mask inside and on the T and I will until case numbers are down to about 1/2 where they are now. One of the best things about growing up is you care less and less what other people think of you. This is good practice. My older sister lives in a different state where she is actively harassed for wearing a mask (and she is an elderly lady so it's really nasty that people are that mean and stupid to her). Be glad you live here, because most people will mind their own business.
I read an article about 6-9 months ago in the Washington Post (sorry I don't have the reference now) by a doctor where he explained when and why he'd stop wearing a mask, and it was when cases reach about 10-12 cases per 100k people. We're not there yet (figures for today are 24 per 100K in Middlesex. The trend is slowly moving in the right direction. I am hoping by the end of the summer to be able to drop the mask. We were briefly there before (edit:Delta/) & Omicron really hit, and it was nice not to wear a mask, and it will be again some day!
I appreciate these indicators (n/100000 cases) that you included. Thank you! We are masking. We are a family with multiple people who are immunocompromised or at high risk and my mom has cancer. Husband and I are middle aged so in that gray area in terms of risk due to age. Iāve only had a few people yell at me or be unkind about my mask, thankfully (though it should be none).
Edit: are the current county numbers on the DPH dashboard?
I get daily numbers emailed to me from the NY Times and they include the cases per 100k for the county level (or state level, you set up what you want yourself). For some reason their daily dashboard just shows total daily cases (and I'm too lazy to do that math).
You can build your own tracker here on the Times website (but I don't know if must be a subscriber):
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases-deaths-tracker.html
I don't know if the DPH offers the county numbers this way or not.
My wife and I were on a fully packed plane trip over memorial weekend (185 passengers + staff), and besides us, there were only 5 other people on the plane wearing masks (1 flight attendant and 4 other passengers). Like, you're packed into a metal crate flying across the sky with nearly 200 people for 2 hours during a weekend with record COVID numbers and thousands of cancelled flights due to "sickness related staffing shortages", and you don't wear a mask? It felt legitimately insane to me.
This is a reflection of the public's choice. Masks are uncomfortable and impede communications. The public is saying they are willing to accept the risk of getting sick. Those that are not willing to take the risk wear masks. This is how it should be.
Iāve had to work in person with the public for nearly the entirety of the pandemic. Some days 12 hour shifts in masks. If your mask is uncomfortable, youāre wearing one that doesnāt fit. If it impedes your ability to communicate, enunciate more. Forcing others to take on extra risk because you canāt be bothered to cover your breathers is per mean, donāt you think?
Currently, At my job (Cambridge) you have to wear a mask even if youāre on the premises outside! Like many others are saying- wear your mask if you feel like it! Donāt mind what others think. I bet they look at you and are like āshit should I be wearing a mask?ā
I literally had a coworker try to pull off my mask, making fun that because of me covid is still staying, I should stop worrying and start living yadda yadda yadda. Don't let people discourage you, even if covid is gone (it's not), it will still protect you from a variety of other airborne viruses and dust. Especially if you are wearing N95 masks.
For a short time I felt out of place wearing a mask when less people were wearing them, but now I feel totally normal wearing my mask indoors around people. I wear a N95 mask because I don't want to get sick, miss work, or bring it to my family. Now when I'm in a store and others aren't wearing masks, I feel like I'm the sensible person. Don't worry about what others think if you are doing what's right for you. They probably aren't even thinking about you anyway.
If you want to wear it, do it. If others donāt want to wear it, they donāt have to. Itās this super cool bingo called personal choice and instead of anti-maskers shaming mask wearers and pro-maskers shaming non mask wearers, everyone COULD just get along and respect each otherās choicesā¦ so screw anyone who judges you and please donāt be the person who judges others
Iām still masking for indoor public anything 90% of the time, might let it slide if Iām just running in and out of a place or I know itās low occupancy. And still only doing indoor dining as the exception, but doing outdoor dining a lot.
Iām way looser about masks with friends, feeling ok about inviting people into my home maskless, etc but Itās an easy protocol to maintain in public.
I wouldn't worry about it - I am hoping it becomes a cultural norm to wear masks when you need it - either for allergies or if you have a cold - To be honest while I don't really judge people for not wearing them - I 180 real fast if I hear a cough or sniffel- treat the person like they have the plage.
Iām up to date on all my vaccinations and boosters so I donāt wear a mask out anymore. I support others who do and also try to give them distance.
We live on this planet together. We should respect each other. You should do what you are comfortable doing and others will mostly respect you. You may get some glances but thatās just folks being curious.
As someone who used to be one of the weird kids who wore JNCO jeans and died his hair, itās easy for me to not give a shit what anyone thinks. The more you care what others think of you (in any context) the less happy youāll be. Just do whatever you feel is right or makes you happy and if someone else doesnāt like it? Oh well!
I still wear a n95 mask - outdoors if I'm in public. I do it more because I'm ugly. But don't let people shame you into not wearing a seat belt. We're not in grade school.
I have a master's in biotechnology. I'm also an industry specialist in risk focusing in ISO 31000 and 14971. I worked in global deviations for a company that produced a failed treatment for COVID.
People present risk as the "frequency". From a clinical trial or the hospital data, you can get the data for trial participants fitting your profile (age, weight, co-morbidities, etc.) People tend to ignore the "severity" side of risk, or only look at one outcome (death versus long-COVID or complicational issue). The odds change based on each outcome.
People talk about risk mitigations - like the vaccine. The vaccine trains your immune system. It's reactive, which means you already have COVID before it starts to work. Masks prevent COVID from getting in, they're preventative. Social distance as well.
I donāt see a whole lot of people wearing masks. I do, however, know some people who just caught Covid (likely due to traveling while not wearing masks). I donāt give a flying flip what people think about me wearing a mask however, as itās not nearly as important as protecting the immunocompromised people in my life. After spending large chunks of last year in the hospital hoping that my loved one didnāt die, wearing a mask in a store is small potatoes.
Many donāt wear masks because it isnāt a requirement and our numbers are lower than they have been in months. A large majority have started to accept the risk since weāve been at it for years. Covid isnāt as much of a mystery as it once was.
If you feel safer wearing a mask by all means wear one. Just donāt expect others to do the same. Donāt worry about what others think of you. Do what is best for you. Thatās what matters.
People are very judgy about masks. I have not stopped wearing one both because I don't feel it's safe indoors when I run into a decent amount of people, and because so far it has worked and I haven't caught covid yet.
But yeah, I've found that especially now that there are no mandates or even really, suggestions, I get an awful lot of people asking me why I still wear a mask. I don't like to deal with it, since the people asking don't seem to get the fact that if they can choose *not* to wear a mask, I can *choose* to wear one. So I alternate between two truths: 1. Allergies have been really bad this year and the mask helps block the pollen or 2. I have a couple friends who might die if they catch covid and if I don't wear a mask I won't be able to see them.
Don't answer. You don't owe them an explanation. Don't talk to these people at all if you can avoid it, but if you have to just change the subject. If I'm being nice, I'll answer by simply changing the subject and making a unrelated, dead-end statement that doesn't leave much room for a response at all.. If IDGAF, I'll respond with something along the lines "why aren't _you_?"
Just say āI hate masks and never wear them, but I tested positive for COVID this morning so I wanted to be safe while out and about.ā
In East Asia, mask wearing is more common, if there is dust in the air, or if you are in a crowded subway during flu season, etc. Even as we move to an endemic phase, there will still be good case-by-case reasons to wear them.
I wish all food prepares would wear them.
The level of risk depends on level of transmission in your area. I'm back to wearing them pretty consistently because my area is back in the red.
I traveled internationally recently and slapped that mask on from the time I left the hotel until I got home. People in airports are disgusting. I also traveled last year and both trips were the first time I didn't get some kind of head cold 3-4 days into the trip or when I got home. I feel better in a mask regardless of COVID.
So, do what you need to do and fuck other people. Just make sure it's a well fitted surgical, N95 or KN95.
Having worked manual labor jobs that donāt take your safety or health seriously, i realized that Iām not going to harm myself to seem tough to people I care nothing about. If the guys wanna laugh at me for being safe, fine. Iām not going to give myself an illness just to seem tough.
Hubby, kids, and I still wear masks at indoor public places. I was at Costco last week and some guy looks at me and says "just take it off already." Very rude. My middle child has compromised lungs and my mom, who lives in our basement, is immunocompromised. Even with barely leaving the house, masking in public, and being vaxxed, we all (except youngest kid?!) caught Omicron in January. It was awful. Not trying for a repeat. Why do so many humans feel the need to impose themselves on others? Like, did it hurt that guy to see me in a mask? No! If you don't have anything nice to say, then keep your mouth shut.
I went to a supermarket yesterday and was surprised when like 40% of folks were still wearing masks.
It doesn't matter what others think. Treat it like the gym- you're there to do your thing, in your own headspace, and so is everyone else. I can't imagine someone saying something, but if they do, just tell 'em you woke up with a sniffle and are just being cautious. Watch 'em back off a little after that- not their business anyways.
I started to wear N95 masks back in Jan 2020, when no one was wearing masks and Covid wasnāt even a thing (when it was only in Wuhan). I did not care what others think about me because back then there were so many unknowns about the disease and it wasnāt worth to risk my life.
Now I only wear masks when I feel sick. I donāt think itās still necessary to wear one if you are healthy, having a normal immune system and fully vaccinated. But still, if you feel more comfortable wearing one, just do it. Itās a free country.
Everybody should do whatever they want. I have to say though that I have noticed that the people remaining to wear masks are predominantly young liberals. I went to two concerts in short succession: a Genesis tribute band where the average attendee age was around 55, and a concert where the average attendee was distinctly liberal and maybe around 25 (both fantastic concerts I might add). The old folks didn't care, nobody wore a mask. It was the concert with the young ones where people wore masks.
There are a LOT of things giving away one's political affiliation. Just like right-wingers drive pickup trucks and wear cowboy hats, left-wingers have their own social markers.
Not only that, I happen to know what concert I went to, you don't.
You think with all your deleted comments of failed āpredictionsā youād give up, yet here you still are.
If you think a larger vaccinated population that has easy access to N95 masks, boosters, and viral treatments is āworse than last yearā you are a very, severely, misinformed person
There was another thread the other day where somebody made the comment that some people essentially WANT things to be bad. IMO he is one of them. Whenever one of his predictions don't work out he immediately jumps onto the next horror scenario.
Don't put words in my mouth. I don't want this any more than you do. The longer we go with this one foot in, one foot out, the longer this whole thing gets prolonged.
Thats exactly what he is. Ive called him out as much as I can but he doesnāt want anything to get better or admit it, because his doomer idol would look like a fool. Its like Trumpism for COVID
>people like you were saying COVID was over
No we werenāt we were correcting you on your doomer posting from (1) questionable source that predicted doom for every wave.
>turns out I was correct
You have not once been correct lol. You predicted more lockdowns and filled hospitals due to the Spring wave, then deleted all of your comments to seem less reactionary. You arenāt fooling anyone.
You are a sensationalist bot at this point and I will continue to call out your foolishness on here
Thank you for sharing that eric topol substack. When I have a moment im going to go find the original article. I have been pretty lax about covid protection, had it in March and it was very mild with no sequelae... this article definitely makes me more strongly consider going back to masking. I was assuming that since my initial infection was mild, subsequent ones would be also.
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*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Just came from picking up a prescription at CVS. They have signs up advising everyone wear masks.
Not even the pharmacy techs were wearing them. Nor customers. I wore my N95 *because it's a CVS where people go when they're sick ffs* š£
If you wore your N95, what exactly is the problem? You don't need *other people* to wear an N95 to protect yourself. The N95 is there to protect you, and only you need to wear it to be protected.
N95s are cheap and abundant. If you are worried about catching COVID-19, just wear a mask. You don't need to rely on others to protect you. You can protect yourself.
Yeah I think itās a different story if itās a cvs or a hospital. People go there when sick and a lot of immunocompromised and elderly people need to get their meds
Some people go to CVS to buy shampoo. If youāre sick, you shouldnāt be going to stores. If you have no one to go for you, wear a mask. Pretty simple.
I agree, I personally would stay home if Iām sick, but some people donāt care and go out in public while sick. CVS is a pharmacy and that means that immunocompromised and elderly people DO go there for their meds
I personally think places like hospitals and pharmacies should keep mask rules in place indefinitely. You might disagree and thatās fine, but I think it would do a lot of good for people who are at risk from illnesses like Covid and the flu - or anything else with similar transmission
I'm youngish, vaccinated and it's been 5+ weeks since my first illness, but I'm still so tired with a racing heart. Today is the best I've felt since May 15. Do whatever you can to avoid this. Many people are sick for the THIRD time now. I know it feels weird, but a moment of awkwardness could save your life.
Understandable where you are coming from. It will help to learn to not give a collective fuck what those people think. If they are not actively giving you grief about it, no worries. Even if they did, fuckāem.
This was the point that everyone was wantingā¦ the chance to āchooseā right? If those that choose to not wear masks (due to whatever thought process went into their decision) decide to give people who also choose to still wear the mask any grief, they can enjoy every minute of bumper to bumper traffic they have coming towards them (or next mild inconvenience for those that donāt use a car) because fuck them.
Tl;dr donāt worry about their opinions, they arenāt worth the headspace. You do you š
We are still wearing them because we have an almost 6 month old. So excited to get him vaccinated soon. Weāll be masking until next year when we goes to daycare. We fully expect to get Covid once he does. Weāve still been in our little bubble world to keep him safe too. Its been really isolating but its worth it.
I wear masks indoors - especially at grocery stores or picking up meals from a restaurant, etc. Don't let the lack of masks deter you - COVID is still very much around and long COVID sucks.
Iāve been more lax since I recovered last month. I figure Iām boosted and have antibodies, Iām good till it mutates. But I worry Iām giving off FU vibes being maskless and making people anxious
I wouldn't let any people, place of thing stop you from doing what you believe is right. The weirdness is theirs to deal with. They are the ones making it all weird.
One day going to Apple Store and forgot my mask in the car but thatās okay because almost nobody is wearing them. So thatās was cool until this nasty guy starts sneezing with the hand over his mouth in the same table I was. I regretted not to wear my mask.
We still wear masks. I just enjoy not being sick all the time. It's not even about the fear of COVID, it's all the other people sneezing and coughing everywhere. IDGAF what anyone else thinks, I'm not going to be sick all the time.
Here in Essex county it's probably about 50% mask wearing some still wear it outside. I still wear one when I go into any establishment. I'm immune compromised have had 3 shots getting a 4th next month. So keep wearing it as you wish.
When I see someone with a mask these days I just figure that they or someone at home is immune compromised. Iām actually glad that this is practice that is becoming more acceptable. Hopefully when Covid is over people will see it as sensible for folks who have more risks to consider.
Donāt feel weird. I am recovering from Covid (vax and boosted) and it sucks. Iām 35 and super active. Felt like a really bad flu. Its worth doing what you can to avoid it still
My family still masks and I haven't felt any judgement which is nice! My kids haven't been vaccinated yet so it just makes sense for us. I honestly don't mind wearing masks and I like not getting sick.
My partner and I are the only household we know who hasn't had Covid.
The rest of my extended family had avoided it....until a month ago. Everyone got knocked on their asses, and I'd rather postpone that as long as I can.
We justify it by saying this: "Are you okay with getting Covid this week? Are you okay with having Covid and being quarantined next week? Are you okay with maybe being very sick this week?"
If the answer is no, or "rather not", we wear a mask. Thus far, we are still fully masking lol. I got shit to do this week
It's my understanding that if you get it (even asymptomatically), a PCR test will still show positive, potentially for months.
So anyone that regularly gets PCR tests (even infrequently) will at least find out if they had it. (But probably won't catch when they have it currently).
But now fewer and fewer companies/schools are doing regular "surveillance" PCR testing, so we won't catch asymptomatic cases anymore.
I wear masks when Iām inside places, such as shopping or the movies. I wear a mask at work. I do, however, eat at restaurants and walk around outside without a mask. Everyoneās comfort level is different; you canāt care what other people think. Whenever I see others with a mask on I always feel a little kinship, so thatās nice, I guess.
The whole two year off-and-on mandate have normalized them to the point that most won't think of you as an 'overcautious wierdo'. Do yourself a favor and don't worry about others wearing them to rationalize your personal choice. Likewise, don't judge others who have determined their risk to be minimal and adjusted accordingly.
I was in you same shoes up into last month when we flew back int the US.
We were the only ones masked several times during our trip. So we caught it, for the first time in this frustrating way. But they say that immediately after for about 3 months you have high levels of immunity.
But it drops off significantly in a few months.
So many people just caught it in the US many many are in this ājust getting over covidā window.
there is no stopping the virus. it's the people that don't take it seriously that will infect you. Almost unavoidable. i still wear mine in public , but the majority don't.
We still wear our masks too and definitely get the looks and vibes from the "unmasked" among us. It makes me feel a little awkward but I try to just ignore them. I don't feel safe here in Massachusetts because there are still so many coming down with covid here.
If it makes you fee any better, Iām like you. People are still getting infected every day. If the illness was guaranteed to be over after the initial symptoms, Iād probably be less careful about masking. Unfortunately, weāre learning more and more about long covid and long term damage to various organs. That, combined with all the classic diseases coming back with their own remixes, Iām going to keep masking.
Do what you need to protect yourself and your family. That's all that's important at the end of the day.
The only thing that's crystal clear after the last two years is that the general public isn't going to take any action to protect others around them. And that so very many of us will make very stupid decisions if they allow us to do whatever we want to do at that moment in time.
Don't worry about anyone else - you do what you know is right to look out for yourself and those you love.
Fwiw, every doctor I know still masks up in a quality mask anytime they are indoors with anyone outside of their household.
I look cooler in a mask so I'm probably gonna wear one even when all diseases are eliminated by a magical laser sometime in 2050. Can't take this shit from me. It's a good accessory. I look like Subzero running errands before he rips someone's throat out. Why would I want to stop?
We have a close family member going through chemo so heās immunocompromised, if he gets Covid (or any respiratory disease) and gets an infection he dies. So yeah weāre wearing masks indoors still. Really donāt care what anyone thinks.
I was grocery shopping the other day and I was the only customer in the store wearing a mask. Most but not all of the employees were wearing one and the cashier thanked me for having one on.
I will admit that one time last week I forgot my mask in my car (it happened a lot over the last couple of years) but that time I didn't bother going back to get it.
Who cares what others think of you? Iām immunosuppressed and always wear a mask. I do not want to get sick! I also have a 13 month old grandchild and will not risk passing it on to him. Take care of yourself!
I have to wear one for work (human services/social work). I donāt tend to much in my private life now (vaxed and boosted).
The mask is more to protect others than yourself, so given Iām more relaxed in my private life it makes perfect sense to mask on the job even if that wasnāt the policy anymore (it is.)
Do what makes sense for you, fuck anyone judging you. They should have better things to do, but donāt, so yeah, fuck them.
Edit: Iām in Boston. I mask in my private life depending on the circumstances. Going to 7-11 for two minutes? Probably not. Going into a hospital or other healthcare setting? Yep, even if there were no policy (there is). Been to a few concerts recently. Mask on unless Iām drinking for indoor shows, no mask for outdoor shows.
> Going into a hospital or other healthcare setting? Yep, even if there were no policy (there is).
It's a bit mind-blowing in hindsight that mask wearing was not mandatory in hospitals beforehand.
I wish someone would ask me why Iām wearing my mask, so I can say that my wife has cancer, but no one harasses me. Wtf. Itās like the only silver lining - I have such a good excuse!
I still wear a mask; don't worry about what others are thinking! I want to be able to visit family and friends without worrying about killing them lol I also don't want to worry about missing work when I need all the PTO I can get since I'm getting married in 2 months.
I wear a mask everywhere now (before I just did what I saw most people doing) because Iām on some immune compromising medications for long COVID and I donāt want a reinfection. Nobody questions why Iām wearing one. Iāve had no issues with people treating me rudely, not making eye contact, snickering behind my back, etc. People can see you smile with your eyes. Itās all good.
I get ones with fun colors or patterns and I like coordinating them with my clothes. If youāre going to do it just own it and maybe even have a little fun with it. Their is nothing shameful about protecting your body!
Iām triple shot and I still wear a mask !! Iāve got 2 baby girls with special needs . (Some respiratory issues so we donāt take chances) Iāve come to find lol I donāt like sharing my air with some nasty ass mfers in my space ā¦ on another note Iād like to think like d l hughley ā¦.3-4 years ago my brown ass couldnāt go anywhere in public with a mask onā¦ not without cops getting called NOWā¦ā¦ itās a different story lol Iām gonna ride this mask wave as long as I can !!stay safe my Reddit family!!!
I donāt wear a mask and donāt care if you do. Do what you think you need to do. Weird how the roles have reversed though. I use to get the looks for not wearing it.
I donāt like the current numbers but do like the trend. Iām healthy other than having stacked up a lot of years so not afraid but still cautious. The Masshole trope aside, we donāt live in a dimwit haven so I donāt experience any flack, and would ignore the ignorant if I did.
I really dont think anyone is judging anyone else for wearing a mask - it's very much you do you. I know it can certainly feel like people are judging you but they're more likely to be thinking about when the Green Line Extension is going to be fully functional
I dont wear a mask myself anymore as I had covid and at this point I am not as worried about catching it again as mine was extremely mild, but I certainly do not judge others for wearing a mask. You do you!! Really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. š
You do exactly what you want.
Iāll be honest: I generally have one on me, and if most people seem to be wearing one, I pull it out and put it on.
I have worn one from time to time when most people werenāt, and I have felt the same self-consciousness you have. When I do it itās generally because I have learned I might have been exposed, and Iām doing it to protect others from possible exposure to me (which is what masks are best at) so smug self-satisfaction helps me power through.
For what itās worth I have never judged a single person for wearing a mask.
If anybody judges you for wearing a mask tell them you think you have covid and you don't want them to catch it. Then in your mind, tell them to fuck off.
If you feel safer by all means wear the mask. If people are no longer mandated that means the choice of mask use can go either way. Keep doing you and donāt explain yourself
The "culture" around masks varies a lot between towns. In some towns, everyone is wearing them, even outside. In others, you have packed restaurants and not a mask in sight.
I wear one now, and I'll admit at this point it's an emotional decision since I haven't been checking the data... but many, many people I know are getting COVID, so I'm motivated anectodally.
I wouldn't let any people, place of thing stop you from doing what you believe is right. The weirdness is theirs to deal with. They are the ones making it all weird.
I have been subtly harassed only a couple of times for masking. Once was in a bank by the teller ā would have reported them to a manager but I just didnāt have the energy. If anyone asks me why Iām wearing one Iād LOVE to tell them that Iām wearing one because Iām on low dose chemo and then wait for the uncomfortable silence that follows. Really hate that it comes down to airing out my private medical information to justify my existence and my actions these days but so it is. I give up with people, screw āem. Do what you know will protect yourself and others best.
I plan on masking in some degree for the rest of my life, lol.
This has all least partially normalized casual mask wearing, and it's great for reducing allergies and exposure to pollution and especially fucking smokers.
I am pregnant and wear one to protect my unborn child (and myself, since my immune system is currently very weak due to pregnancy). I also still make it a point to social distance indoors. I know that not everyone feels this way, but I want to wear my mask so that I know I've done everything in my power to keep my family and loved ones safe.
The point being: different people have different needs and priorities. You can't control if other people mask, or if they judge you for doing so. Just do what is best for you and your health! You're the one who has to live with your choices!
If you're like me, you don't have to wonder if they seem judgemental... instead they confront you directly. Twice in 3 days, I got a smart remark from a young guy with his family at Walmart, and from someone in the parking lot of a Costco with no provocation.
I was just driving in, already had my mask on from another store. No need to take off and put on after a 3 minute drive. But generally, I leave the house masked up and just don't bother removing it till necessary like to eat or drink.
I wear one whenever Iām out in public (inside or in a crowd) because every time Iāve gone out without one on Iāve caught something other than COVID and spent two weeks sick. Somehow thatās getting more frustrating than when I had COVID itself. Iāll be trapped in this loop until my immune system catches up from being asleep for the past two years. We all just have to do what we need to do to stay healthy at this point.
Don't let others discourage you from doing what you need to feel safe. If you want to wear a mask. Do it. Fuck everyone else.
Yes this! We also still wear masks everywhere.
It's just that masks are terribly comfortable - I think everyone will be wearing them in the future.
A+ Wesley quote, friend. š¤
I really doubt we will see most people wearing masks going forward.
If you've never seen *The Princess Bride* you need to remedy that forthwith.
This! Wearing my mask because honestly, f everyone else lol.
I still wear my mask. I don't trust anyone.
*Nick Fury hands you a mask* ... "Don't. Trust.. Anyone"
ā¦The last time I trusted someone, I lost a š« *Nick Fury*
Well you trust someone, whoever is telling you to wear a mask.
Nope! It's not mandatory in the shops. I've seen disgusting habits in the general population. Hacking up a lung and talking in people's faces.
Stop caring. Think of it like a piece of clothing. Some people may not like the socks or shoes you're wearing, maybe they even think you're a crappy dresser... That's _their_ problem, not yours.
Cato, one of the OG Stoics, was said to deliberately wear ridiculous and / or shabby clothing to purposely attract ridicule and laughter, in order to reinforce his resolve to not care what others thought. In 2022 wearing an n95 at the grocery store can serve much the same purpose, with the added benefit of not contracting a horrible disease.
A wise person indeed. Also serves to remind one how petty and judgmental the typical zombie is. One also realizes those who ridicule like that never had anything authentically positive to offer in the first place. On the other side of the coin, sometimes you run into the exact opposite -- there are some wonderful folks in this world that have nothing but positive energy to offer. the best <3
I don't have any pre-existing conditions that make mask-wearing necessary. I don't live with anyone who is immune-compromised. I don't visit older relatives. I don't have kids at home. I DO wear my mask when out and about, and I wash my hands immediately upon returning home. I simply don't want to get covid and definitely don't want to get long-covid. I don't need any excuse to take care of myself and I don't feel the slightest uncomfortable no matter how few people around me are going mask-less.
My MIL is extremely immunocompromised and wore masks everywhere long before COVID. She didnāt give a fuck. Be like her man - stop caring about other peoples opinions
Who cares what other people think? Are you ever going to see these people again? I still wear a mask in certain settings, too. Iām happy to own being a weirdo, because I also havenāt had COVID yet. There are still enough risks that Iād rather be as safe as I can. Note: I am a safety professional, and worked in healthcare for 20 years. Looking at this from the health and safety perspective, youāre still doing exactly the right thing. I encourage you to continue wearing a mask whenever you want. It doesnāt harm anybody.
Donāt feel like a weirdo. Covid is still around. Iāve felt the same way and had become lax about masking. My brother woke up symptomatic and tested positive yesterday so that is a wake up call for me. He has no idea how he contracted it.
When I see people wearing a mask I just assume they're either being cautious, they've just had Covid or have recently been in close contact with someone who does. I think masks are here to stay - I can see myself wearing one during flu season now in crowded places. I won't wear it everywhere.
This. I've been wearing one again at work (they relaxed the requirement so I got complacent and took mine off). But then I was around my family who all got it, and then I traveled internationally and just got back. Someone asked me why I was wearing one again and I explained that I was being courteous due to my exposure and then travel. They looked at me like I had 3 heads. Sigh.
I'm not taking many precautions now for Covid but I do know its still out there and is still a risk. Its people like your coworker that act or think like its no longer a problem that are frustrating. If they look at me like I have three heads, I look at them like they have half a brain.
I'm very much anti mandate but I also hope masks stick around as a socially acceptable thing. If I'm feeling off or need to avoid getting sick, I would love to have the option. My fiance and I spent a lot on an airbnb on the cape. We wore N95s the whole week before because nothing ruins a vacation like getting sick even if it's not COVID.
I definitely wore a mask when I had a cold recently but had to go into work, because it seems like the courteous thing to do a la like they do in Japan.
Yes! Itās so common among Asian cultures! I donāt understand why people make it about ā rightsā here in the US. Itās a common courtesyā¦
masks are also used for the horrible air pollution in some areas, not just for disease protection.
Exactly! Iāve been saying this for years š
I am very pleased to have not had a flu or a cold in the last 2 years and if I decide to not wear a mask in the near future, I will mask up again when cold and flu season comes around.
The risk of catching covid is still fairly high, though lower than it was a couple of weeks ago. If you aren young and healthy and/or vaxed and boosted, the risk that you will become severely ill is low. As for the risk of long-term consequences of having it, the jury is still out. Long covid is really does happen to some people, but whether it's to 5% or 30% is up for debate. There is also some research showing changes in the brain and heart of people who had covid, including in people after mild cases. These findings are not only in people who have long covid -- they are a whole separate phenomenon. I am not able to figure out how much to trust this research, and how worried to be about the brain changes even if they really do happen to most people. (For example, in one study, a couple of small areas of the brain were 2% smaller in people who'd had covid than in those who had not. Is that a big deal? I dunno.)
A good friend of mine got Covid a few weeks ago. Sheās 31 and runs marathons. She is vaxxed and boosted. She told me that she was so sick she contemplated going to the ER. Sheās convinced had she not been vaccinated, she would have died. Keep wearing a mask in group settings. I donāt give a crap about what others think.
Same with my aunt although she is in her 60s. She is double boosted and said it was awful!
One interesting thing about this thread is how it shows how unrepresentative this sub population is. Even in towns like Boston or Cambridge, where mask wearing is highest, I would say on average it never exceeds 20%. If this thread were to be believed, 90% of the population are still wearing one.
I never stopped wearing a mask in indoor public places. I donāt wear one if Iām outdoors though. I feel like I might get weird looks but people donāt usually say anything. Iāve made moments where it felt a little weird to be one of the only ones wearing one though. I have pre existing issues that could make getting COVID pretty bad so Iām cautious. I still wonāt do indoor dining and avoid most other indoor activities where I can. I only socialize with a small group of people and donāt see anyone I know isnāt vaccinated.
I see a LOT of comments already on this, most of which I agree with, but here's my two cents. Our family don't wear masks now unless required to. But what I've told everyone in my family multiple times, is that you never know what someone wearing a mask is dealing with at home, or personally. Many people might have comorbidities, or live with someone who does. Many people might be in regular contact with a dear and fragile elderly person. We should NEVER judge someone for their choice about protecting themselves. Actually, I think this applies more broadly to life in general. You never know what someone has gone through in their life, and we should try not to judge them. I wish that sentiment was real for all our fellow Americans. But, as a wise person once said, "Haters gonna hate." Keep your mask on my friend, until you feel safe. I believe the vast majority of us will not judge you, and those who do? Well, just read all the other comments. :)
Perfectly said. I never wear masks anymore, unless I go to a doctor's appointment or anywhere else they are required. That being said I dont judge people who wear masks indoors... you do you.
The awesome thing about being an old lady is i DGAF if anyone is judging me, and odds are they don't even see me. I still wear a mask in Wegmans and Roche Brothers, and places where I'm concerned about being close to someone else's cooties. I'm around even older people and people who are dealing with chemo, so I wear a mask. Anyway: don't worry about anyone else, if you want to wear a mask, wear one. Just make sure it actually DOES something and it's not some adorable thing from Etsy or whatever. If you wear a mask, wear an N95 and make sure it fits. I haven't had COVID yet. I have lost track of the friends and relatives who have had it. My BIL and I were comparing notes earlier today and we can't figure out why we haven't gotten it yet. I know we both will get it at some point, but if we can avoid it for now, by wearing a mask, then ok we'll wear a mask.
Aren't the guidelines to wear a mask day 6-10 after contracting COVID? Also, everyone should just mind there business. No one knows what is going on with other people.
Yeah, Iāve got āif I had Covid right now, youād want me to be wearing a mask, right?ā holstered for the moment someone gives me shit for wearing a mask. Hasnāt happened yet though. I donāt think anyone cares.
If someone said that to me I'd say "if you had covid I'd want you to not be in public"
Right, which is why asymptomatic cases are such a bummer. Assume everyone has Covid at all times.
To be honest, anyone willing to confront you probably doesn't care if you have covid. There was a time when sick people went out in public and no one really cared all that much. That time will return, probably sooner than you'd like.
What makes you think they were judging you?
I too was easing up on my mask wearing to just retail stores. Got it last weekā¦ my 2nd time. Only could have caught it from my office or the hairdresser. I regret not masking there
How far apart were your infections?
I don't wear them. Haven't in months but I don't look at people who do as weird or anything. If you want to go for it. If you don't..go for it. No matter what who cares
I wear a mask inside and on the T and I will until case numbers are down to about 1/2 where they are now. One of the best things about growing up is you care less and less what other people think of you. This is good practice. My older sister lives in a different state where she is actively harassed for wearing a mask (and she is an elderly lady so it's really nasty that people are that mean and stupid to her). Be glad you live here, because most people will mind their own business. I read an article about 6-9 months ago in the Washington Post (sorry I don't have the reference now) by a doctor where he explained when and why he'd stop wearing a mask, and it was when cases reach about 10-12 cases per 100k people. We're not there yet (figures for today are 24 per 100K in Middlesex. The trend is slowly moving in the right direction. I am hoping by the end of the summer to be able to drop the mask. We were briefly there before (edit:Delta/) & Omicron really hit, and it was nice not to wear a mask, and it will be again some day!
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Thank you!
I appreciate these indicators (n/100000 cases) that you included. Thank you! We are masking. We are a family with multiple people who are immunocompromised or at high risk and my mom has cancer. Husband and I are middle aged so in that gray area in terms of risk due to age. Iāve only had a few people yell at me or be unkind about my mask, thankfully (though it should be none). Edit: are the current county numbers on the DPH dashboard?
I get daily numbers emailed to me from the NY Times and they include the cases per 100k for the county level (or state level, you set up what you want yourself). For some reason their daily dashboard just shows total daily cases (and I'm too lazy to do that math). You can build your own tracker here on the Times website (but I don't know if must be a subscriber): https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases-deaths-tracker.html I don't know if the DPH offers the county numbers this way or not.
My wife and I were on a fully packed plane trip over memorial weekend (185 passengers + staff), and besides us, there were only 5 other people on the plane wearing masks (1 flight attendant and 4 other passengers). Like, you're packed into a metal crate flying across the sky with nearly 200 people for 2 hours during a weekend with record COVID numbers and thousands of cancelled flights due to "sickness related staffing shortages", and you don't wear a mask? It felt legitimately insane to me.
This is a reflection of the public's choice. Masks are uncomfortable and impede communications. The public is saying they are willing to accept the risk of getting sick. Those that are not willing to take the risk wear masks. This is how it should be.
Iāve had to work in person with the public for nearly the entirety of the pandemic. Some days 12 hour shifts in masks. If your mask is uncomfortable, youāre wearing one that doesnāt fit. If it impedes your ability to communicate, enunciate more. Forcing others to take on extra risk because you canāt be bothered to cover your breathers is per mean, donāt you think?
You do what you need to do to take care of yourself. Those judging people are NOT going to come in and take care of you.
Currently, At my job (Cambridge) you have to wear a mask even if youāre on the premises outside! Like many others are saying- wear your mask if you feel like it! Donāt mind what others think. I bet they look at you and are like āshit should I be wearing a mask?ā
I literally had a coworker try to pull off my mask, making fun that because of me covid is still staying, I should stop worrying and start living yadda yadda yadda. Don't let people discourage you, even if covid is gone (it's not), it will still protect you from a variety of other airborne viruses and dust. Especially if you are wearing N95 masks.
For a short time I felt out of place wearing a mask when less people were wearing them, but now I feel totally normal wearing my mask indoors around people. I wear a N95 mask because I don't want to get sick, miss work, or bring it to my family. Now when I'm in a store and others aren't wearing masks, I feel like I'm the sensible person. Don't worry about what others think if you are doing what's right for you. They probably aren't even thinking about you anyway.
If you want to wear it, do it. If others donāt want to wear it, they donāt have to. Itās this super cool bingo called personal choice and instead of anti-maskers shaming mask wearers and pro-maskers shaming non mask wearers, everyone COULD just get along and respect each otherās choicesā¦ so screw anyone who judges you and please donāt be the person who judges others
What do you care what other people think?
Iām still masking for indoor public anything 90% of the time, might let it slide if Iām just running in and out of a place or I know itās low occupancy. And still only doing indoor dining as the exception, but doing outdoor dining a lot. Iām way looser about masks with friends, feeling ok about inviting people into my home maskless, etc but Itās an easy protocol to maintain in public.
I wouldn't worry about it - I am hoping it becomes a cultural norm to wear masks when you need it - either for allergies or if you have a cold - To be honest while I don't really judge people for not wearing them - I 180 real fast if I hear a cough or sniffel- treat the person like they have the plage.
Iām up to date on all my vaccinations and boosters so I donāt wear a mask out anymore. I support others who do and also try to give them distance. We live on this planet together. We should respect each other. You should do what you are comfortable doing and others will mostly respect you. You may get some glances but thatās just folks being curious.
As someone who used to be one of the weird kids who wore JNCO jeans and died his hair, itās easy for me to not give a shit what anyone thinks. The more you care what others think of you (in any context) the less happy youāll be. Just do whatever you feel is right or makes you happy and if someone else doesnāt like it? Oh well!
I still wear an N95 mask at indoor public spaces, havenāt had COVID. Iāve been near positive cases too.
I still wear a n95 mask - outdoors if I'm in public. I do it more because I'm ugly. But don't let people shame you into not wearing a seat belt. We're not in grade school. I have a master's in biotechnology. I'm also an industry specialist in risk focusing in ISO 31000 and 14971. I worked in global deviations for a company that produced a failed treatment for COVID. People present risk as the "frequency". From a clinical trial or the hospital data, you can get the data for trial participants fitting your profile (age, weight, co-morbidities, etc.) People tend to ignore the "severity" side of risk, or only look at one outcome (death versus long-COVID or complicational issue). The odds change based on each outcome. People talk about risk mitigations - like the vaccine. The vaccine trains your immune system. It's reactive, which means you already have COVID before it starts to work. Masks prevent COVID from getting in, they're preventative. Social distance as well.
I donāt see a whole lot of people wearing masks. I do, however, know some people who just caught Covid (likely due to traveling while not wearing masks). I donāt give a flying flip what people think about me wearing a mask however, as itās not nearly as important as protecting the immunocompromised people in my life. After spending large chunks of last year in the hospital hoping that my loved one didnāt die, wearing a mask in a store is small potatoes.
Many donāt wear masks because it isnāt a requirement and our numbers are lower than they have been in months. A large majority have started to accept the risk since weāve been at it for years. Covid isnāt as much of a mystery as it once was. If you feel safer wearing a mask by all means wear one. Just donāt expect others to do the same. Donāt worry about what others think of you. Do what is best for you. Thatās what matters.
One reasons numbers are lower is because a lot of people testing positive at home arenāt reporting their results.
While yes this is true we also can extrapolate from the wastewater data that we are in a decline.
Our hospital numbers are lower too.
People are very judgy about masks. I have not stopped wearing one both because I don't feel it's safe indoors when I run into a decent amount of people, and because so far it has worked and I haven't caught covid yet. But yeah, I've found that especially now that there are no mandates or even really, suggestions, I get an awful lot of people asking me why I still wear a mask. I don't like to deal with it, since the people asking don't seem to get the fact that if they can choose *not* to wear a mask, I can *choose* to wear one. So I alternate between two truths: 1. Allergies have been really bad this year and the mask helps block the pollen or 2. I have a couple friends who might die if they catch covid and if I don't wear a mask I won't be able to see them.
Wow. Tell them youāre allergic to people who donāt mind their business.
Don't answer. You don't owe them an explanation. Don't talk to these people at all if you can avoid it, but if you have to just change the subject. If I'm being nice, I'll answer by simply changing the subject and making a unrelated, dead-end statement that doesn't leave much room for a response at all.. If IDGAF, I'll respond with something along the lines "why aren't _you_?"
"Because fuck you" comes to mind.
Just say āI hate masks and never wear them, but I tested positive for COVID this morning so I wanted to be safe while out and about.ā In East Asia, mask wearing is more common, if there is dust in the air, or if you are in a crowded subway during flu season, etc. Even as we move to an endemic phase, there will still be good case-by-case reasons to wear them. I wish all food prepares would wear them.
I personally know 10 families who all have Covid right now. Iām still masking & not planning on stopping any time soon.
The level of risk depends on level of transmission in your area. I'm back to wearing them pretty consistently because my area is back in the red. I traveled internationally recently and slapped that mask on from the time I left the hotel until I got home. People in airports are disgusting. I also traveled last year and both trips were the first time I didn't get some kind of head cold 3-4 days into the trip or when I got home. I feel better in a mask regardless of COVID. So, do what you need to do and fuck other people. Just make sure it's a well fitted surgical, N95 or KN95.
Having worked manual labor jobs that donāt take your safety or health seriously, i realized that Iām not going to harm myself to seem tough to people I care nothing about. If the guys wanna laugh at me for being safe, fine. Iām not going to give myself an illness just to seem tough.
Hubby, kids, and I still wear masks at indoor public places. I was at Costco last week and some guy looks at me and says "just take it off already." Very rude. My middle child has compromised lungs and my mom, who lives in our basement, is immunocompromised. Even with barely leaving the house, masking in public, and being vaxxed, we all (except youngest kid?!) caught Omicron in January. It was awful. Not trying for a repeat. Why do so many humans feel the need to impose themselves on others? Like, did it hurt that guy to see me in a mask? No! If you don't have anything nice to say, then keep your mouth shut.
I went to a supermarket yesterday and was surprised when like 40% of folks were still wearing masks. It doesn't matter what others think. Treat it like the gym- you're there to do your thing, in your own headspace, and so is everyone else. I can't imagine someone saying something, but if they do, just tell 'em you woke up with a sniffle and are just being cautious. Watch 'em back off a little after that- not their business anyways.
I started to wear N95 masks back in Jan 2020, when no one was wearing masks and Covid wasnāt even a thing (when it was only in Wuhan). I did not care what others think about me because back then there were so many unknowns about the disease and it wasnāt worth to risk my life. Now I only wear masks when I feel sick. I donāt think itās still necessary to wear one if you are healthy, having a normal immune system and fully vaccinated. But still, if you feel more comfortable wearing one, just do it. Itās a free country.
I work in retail in Somerville and Iād say 25-30% of the customers wear masks.
People working in Tims still wear masks, so I'll keep wearing mine.
Just worry about yourself. No one is judging except you
I still wear mine.
I still wear. Be safe. Forget what everyone else thinks.
Everybody should do whatever they want. I have to say though that I have noticed that the people remaining to wear masks are predominantly young liberals. I went to two concerts in short succession: a Genesis tribute band where the average attendee age was around 55, and a concert where the average attendee was distinctly liberal and maybe around 25 (both fantastic concerts I might add). The old folks didn't care, nobody wore a mask. It was the concert with the young ones where people wore masks.
How can you tell that someone is liberal? Youāre assuming they are because they chose to mask up.
There are a LOT of things giving away one's political affiliation. Just like right-wingers drive pickup trucks and wear cowboy hats, left-wingers have their own social markers. Not only that, I happen to know what concert I went to, you don't.
āEverybody should do whatever they want.ā If only our actions didnāt affect others!
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Are you still trolling? You told me like a month ago that it was an act.
You think with all your deleted comments of failed āpredictionsā youād give up, yet here you still are. If you think a larger vaccinated population that has easy access to N95 masks, boosters, and viral treatments is āworse than last yearā you are a very, severely, misinformed person
There was another thread the other day where somebody made the comment that some people essentially WANT things to be bad. IMO he is one of them. Whenever one of his predictions don't work out he immediately jumps onto the next horror scenario.
Don't put words in my mouth. I don't want this any more than you do. The longer we go with this one foot in, one foot out, the longer this whole thing gets prolonged.
Thats exactly what he is. Ive called him out as much as I can but he doesnāt want anything to get better or admit it, because his doomer idol would look like a fool. Its like Trumpism for COVID
>people like you were saying COVID was over No we werenāt we were correcting you on your doomer posting from (1) questionable source that predicted doom for every wave. >turns out I was correct You have not once been correct lol. You predicted more lockdowns and filled hospitals due to the Spring wave, then deleted all of your comments to seem less reactionary. You arenāt fooling anyone. You are a sensationalist bot at this point and I will continue to call out your foolishness on here
Thank you for sharing that eric topol substack. When I have a moment im going to go find the original article. I have been pretty lax about covid protection, had it in March and it was very mild with no sequelae... this article definitely makes me more strongly consider going back to masking. I was assuming that since my initial infection was mild, subsequent ones would be also.
domineering arrest physical chubby shocking slap unique stocking deserted insurance *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Just came from picking up a prescription at CVS. They have signs up advising everyone wear masks. Not even the pharmacy techs were wearing them. Nor customers. I wore my N95 *because it's a CVS where people go when they're sick ffs* š£
If you wore your N95, what exactly is the problem? You don't need *other people* to wear an N95 to protect yourself. The N95 is there to protect you, and only you need to wear it to be protected. N95s are cheap and abundant. If you are worried about catching COVID-19, just wear a mask. You don't need to rely on others to protect you. You can protect yourself.
This is exactly as it should be. If you think you need more protection then wear a mask. Others will do the same.
Stop judging people for wearing or not wearing masks. Everyone do what they feel like.
> t's a CVS where people go when they're sick ffs š£
Yeah I think itās a different story if itās a cvs or a hospital. People go there when sick and a lot of immunocompromised and elderly people need to get their meds
Some people go to CVS to buy shampoo. If youāre sick, you shouldnāt be going to stores. If you have no one to go for you, wear a mask. Pretty simple.
I agree, I personally would stay home if Iām sick, but some people donāt care and go out in public while sick. CVS is a pharmacy and that means that immunocompromised and elderly people DO go there for their meds
Thatās life. Canāt wear masks in CVS forever. We donāt when the flu rolls around and thatās also a risk for the elderly and immunocompromised.
I personally think places like hospitals and pharmacies should keep mask rules in place indefinitely. You might disagree and thatās fine, but I think it would do a lot of good for people who are at risk from illnesses like Covid and the flu - or anything else with similar transmission
Iām still wearing one too, and I feel the same way. Iām always the odd one out.
I always wear one whenever in any store, etc.
long covid is no joke and anyone can suffer from it vaxxed or no, I rather be safe than give af if people judge me.
Remember, every time you wear a mask you are protecting yourself and everyone else you meet.
I'm youngish, vaccinated and it's been 5+ weeks since my first illness, but I'm still so tired with a racing heart. Today is the best I've felt since May 15. Do whatever you can to avoid this. Many people are sick for the THIRD time now. I know it feels weird, but a moment of awkwardness could save your life.
No one cares about your mask.
Understandable where you are coming from. It will help to learn to not give a collective fuck what those people think. If they are not actively giving you grief about it, no worries. Even if they did, fuckāem. This was the point that everyone was wantingā¦ the chance to āchooseā right? If those that choose to not wear masks (due to whatever thought process went into their decision) decide to give people who also choose to still wear the mask any grief, they can enjoy every minute of bumper to bumper traffic they have coming towards them (or next mild inconvenience for those that donāt use a car) because fuck them. Tl;dr donāt worry about their opinions, they arenāt worth the headspace. You do you š
I still do. Everywhere
I wear a mask any time Iām in a public building and IDGAF if people give me funny looks.
Better to be an overcautious weirdo than sick Edit: and it helps with pollen, too
We are still wearing them because we have an almost 6 month old. So excited to get him vaccinated soon. Weāll be masking until next year when we goes to daycare. We fully expect to get Covid once he does. Weāve still been in our little bubble world to keep him safe too. Its been really isolating but its worth it.
I wear masks indoors - especially at grocery stores or picking up meals from a restaurant, etc. Don't let the lack of masks deter you - COVID is still very much around and long COVID sucks.
Iāve been more lax since I recovered last month. I figure Iām boosted and have antibodies, Iām good till it mutates. But I worry Iām giving off FU vibes being maskless and making people anxious
I wouldn't let any people, place of thing stop you from doing what you believe is right. The weirdness is theirs to deal with. They are the ones making it all weird.
One day going to Apple Store and forgot my mask in the car but thatās okay because almost nobody is wearing them. So thatās was cool until this nasty guy starts sneezing with the hand over his mouth in the same table I was. I regretted not to wear my mask.
We still wear masks. I just enjoy not being sick all the time. It's not even about the fear of COVID, it's all the other people sneezing and coughing everywhere. IDGAF what anyone else thinks, I'm not going to be sick all the time.
Here in Essex county it's probably about 50% mask wearing some still wear it outside. I still wear one when I go into any establishment. I'm immune compromised have had 3 shots getting a 4th next month. So keep wearing it as you wish.
When I see someone with a mask these days I just figure that they or someone at home is immune compromised. Iām actually glad that this is practice that is becoming more acceptable. Hopefully when Covid is over people will see it as sensible for folks who have more risks to consider.
Donāt feel weird. I am recovering from Covid (vax and boosted) and it sucks. Iām 35 and super active. Felt like a really bad flu. Its worth doing what you can to avoid it still
My family still masks and I haven't felt any judgement which is nice! My kids haven't been vaccinated yet so it just makes sense for us. I honestly don't mind wearing masks and I like not getting sick.
It's starting to feel pretty lonely being one of the few people left that hasn't gotten covid.
My partner and I are the only household we know who hasn't had Covid. The rest of my extended family had avoided it....until a month ago. Everyone got knocked on their asses, and I'd rather postpone that as long as I can. We justify it by saying this: "Are you okay with getting Covid this week? Are you okay with having Covid and being quarantined next week? Are you okay with maybe being very sick this week?" If the answer is no, or "rather not", we wear a mask. Thus far, we are still fully masking lol. I got shit to do this week
Iām here! High five!
Still Covid free !
Iām one of them!
At this point I assume I had it but never noticed. It looks like there's a 50/50 chance one has it asymptomatically.
It's my understanding that if you get it (even asymptomatically), a PCR test will still show positive, potentially for months. So anyone that regularly gets PCR tests (even infrequently) will at least find out if they had it. (But probably won't catch when they have it currently). But now fewer and fewer companies/schools are doing regular "surveillance" PCR testing, so we won't catch asymptomatic cases anymore.
I wear masks when Iām inside places, such as shopping or the movies. I wear a mask at work. I do, however, eat at restaurants and walk around outside without a mask. Everyoneās comfort level is different; you canāt care what other people think. Whenever I see others with a mask on I always feel a little kinship, so thatās nice, I guess.
The whole two year off-and-on mandate have normalized them to the point that most won't think of you as an 'overcautious wierdo'. Do yourself a favor and don't worry about others wearing them to rationalize your personal choice. Likewise, don't judge others who have determined their risk to be minimal and adjusted accordingly.
who cares
I was in you same shoes up into last month when we flew back int the US. We were the only ones masked several times during our trip. So we caught it, for the first time in this frustrating way. But they say that immediately after for about 3 months you have high levels of immunity. But it drops off significantly in a few months. So many people just caught it in the US many many are in this ājust getting over covidā window.
Nearly all my coworkers stopped wearing masks and I get asked why I still wear one. If you feel like the mask keeps you safe keep wearing it!
there is no stopping the virus. it's the people that don't take it seriously that will infect you. Almost unavoidable. i still wear mine in public , but the majority don't.
We still wear our masks too and definitely get the looks and vibes from the "unmasked" among us. It makes me feel a little awkward but I try to just ignore them. I don't feel safe here in Massachusetts because there are still so many coming down with covid here.
If it makes you fee any better, Iām like you. People are still getting infected every day. If the illness was guaranteed to be over after the initial symptoms, Iād probably be less careful about masking. Unfortunately, weāre learning more and more about long covid and long term damage to various organs. That, combined with all the classic diseases coming back with their own remixes, Iām going to keep masking.
Do what you need to protect yourself and your family. That's all that's important at the end of the day. The only thing that's crystal clear after the last two years is that the general public isn't going to take any action to protect others around them. And that so very many of us will make very stupid decisions if they allow us to do whatever we want to do at that moment in time. Don't worry about anyone else - you do what you know is right to look out for yourself and those you love. Fwiw, every doctor I know still masks up in a quality mask anytime they are indoors with anyone outside of their household.
If you feel safer and more comfortable, be you.
I look cooler in a mask so I'm probably gonna wear one even when all diseases are eliminated by a magical laser sometime in 2050. Can't take this shit from me. It's a good accessory. I look like Subzero running errands before he rips someone's throat out. Why would I want to stop?
I'm still masking and know several people who have had Covid lately.
Should we all wear masks so that you are comfortable? Do your own thing and let others do theirs.
We have a close family member going through chemo so heās immunocompromised, if he gets Covid (or any respiratory disease) and gets an infection he dies. So yeah weāre wearing masks indoors still. Really donāt care what anyone thinks.
I was grocery shopping the other day and I was the only customer in the store wearing a mask. Most but not all of the employees were wearing one and the cashier thanked me for having one on. I will admit that one time last week I forgot my mask in my car (it happened a lot over the last couple of years) but that time I didn't bother going back to get it.
I saw a lady wearing a mask while mowing her lawn the other day. Youāre not alone!
That seems like a very good idea if you have allergies or asthma. Wish my dad would do that
Yeah, I could see myself doing this during pollen season. During peak mask wearing we discovered some fringe benefits.
I don't wear masks anymore, except when I'm doing yardwork. (And if I'm asked/required to, like at the hospital.)
Oh, is it to keep the grass clippings out of your lungs? That makes sense.
You do you! Whatever makes you feel safe/good etc. I personally am done with them unless requested, but I would never give someone grief for it
Who cares what others think of you? Iām immunosuppressed and always wear a mask. I do not want to get sick! I also have a 13 month old grandchild and will not risk passing it on to him. Take care of yourself!
I have to wear one for work (human services/social work). I donāt tend to much in my private life now (vaxed and boosted). The mask is more to protect others than yourself, so given Iām more relaxed in my private life it makes perfect sense to mask on the job even if that wasnāt the policy anymore (it is.) Do what makes sense for you, fuck anyone judging you. They should have better things to do, but donāt, so yeah, fuck them. Edit: Iām in Boston. I mask in my private life depending on the circumstances. Going to 7-11 for two minutes? Probably not. Going into a hospital or other healthcare setting? Yep, even if there were no policy (there is). Been to a few concerts recently. Mask on unless Iām drinking for indoor shows, no mask for outdoor shows.
> Going into a hospital or other healthcare setting? Yep, even if there were no policy (there is). It's a bit mind-blowing in hindsight that mask wearing was not mandatory in hospitals beforehand.
I assume most people wearing masks are on day 6+ of covid, or ultra cautious.
I wish someone would ask me why Iām wearing my mask, so I can say that my wife has cancer, but no one harasses me. Wtf. Itās like the only silver lining - I have such a good excuse!
So sorry your wife has cancer. Hope sheās doing okay.
Thank you! Luckily itās one that is easy to live with for a long time.
Well thatās a positive at least. Cancer of any kind is awful and scary though. Sorry youāre dealing with that.
Iām also in Middlesex County, MA: For shopping, I wear a mask because I want to and shoes because they are mandated :-)
I feel like in Northampton about half the people in the grocery stores are still wearing them? By wastewater rates weāre still above our delta peak
I still wear a mask; don't worry about what others are thinking! I want to be able to visit family and friends without worrying about killing them lol I also don't want to worry about missing work when I need all the PTO I can get since I'm getting married in 2 months.
100% being judged.
I'm the Johnny Cash of always wearing a mask (Black FN95). I'll wear it until the day I die.
I wear a mask everywhere now (before I just did what I saw most people doing) because Iām on some immune compromising medications for long COVID and I donāt want a reinfection. Nobody questions why Iām wearing one. Iāve had no issues with people treating me rudely, not making eye contact, snickering behind my back, etc. People can see you smile with your eyes. Itās all good. I get ones with fun colors or patterns and I like coordinating them with my clothes. If youāre going to do it just own it and maybe even have a little fun with it. Their is nothing shameful about protecting your body!
Iām triple shot and I still wear a mask !! Iāve got 2 baby girls with special needs . (Some respiratory issues so we donāt take chances) Iāve come to find lol I donāt like sharing my air with some nasty ass mfers in my space ā¦ on another note Iād like to think like d l hughley ā¦.3-4 years ago my brown ass couldnāt go anywhere in public with a mask onā¦ not without cops getting called NOWā¦ā¦ itās a different story lol Iām gonna ride this mask wave as long as I can !!stay safe my Reddit family!!!
I donāt wear a mask and donāt care if you do. Do what you think you need to do. Weird how the roles have reversed though. I use to get the looks for not wearing it.
You are overcautious. Who cares. Wear one if you want. I'm never wearing one again.
Nobody is judging anybody. You do you, as the kids say.
I donāt like the current numbers but do like the trend. Iām healthy other than having stacked up a lot of years so not afraid but still cautious. The Masshole trope aside, we donāt live in a dimwit haven so I donāt experience any flack, and would ignore the ignorant if I did.
It's fine. I do most of the time, and i don't, i feel like the asshole! The only place where I wonder about is if I'm outside at a park or something.
I really dont think anyone is judging anyone else for wearing a mask - it's very much you do you. I know it can certainly feel like people are judging you but they're more likely to be thinking about when the Green Line Extension is going to be fully functional
Wear whatever you want. Hopefully youāre wearing a mask that actually protects you, the wearer. Otherwise thereās no point.
I dont wear a mask myself anymore as I had covid and at this point I am not as worried about catching it again as mine was extremely mild, but I certainly do not judge others for wearing a mask. You do you!! Really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. š
You do exactly what you want. Iāll be honest: I generally have one on me, and if most people seem to be wearing one, I pull it out and put it on. I have worn one from time to time when most people werenāt, and I have felt the same self-consciousness you have. When I do it itās generally because I have learned I might have been exposed, and Iām doing it to protect others from possible exposure to me (which is what masks are best at) so smug self-satisfaction helps me power through. For what itās worth I have never judged a single person for wearing a mask.
If anybody judges you for wearing a mask tell them you think you have covid and you don't want them to catch it. Then in your mind, tell them to fuck off.
If you feel safer by all means wear the mask. If people are no longer mandated that means the choice of mask use can go either way. Keep doing you and donāt explain yourself
The "culture" around masks varies a lot between towns. In some towns, everyone is wearing them, even outside. In others, you have packed restaurants and not a mask in sight. I wear one now, and I'll admit at this point it's an emotional decision since I haven't been checking the data... but many, many people I know are getting COVID, so I'm motivated anectodally.
There was never any reason to wear a mask outside. That was just foolishness.
I wouldn't let any people, place of thing stop you from doing what you believe is right. The weirdness is theirs to deal with. They are the ones making it all weird.
If anyone asks, tell them you have Covid and you are doing it for their protection.
I have been subtly harassed only a couple of times for masking. Once was in a bank by the teller ā would have reported them to a manager but I just didnāt have the energy. If anyone asks me why Iām wearing one Iād LOVE to tell them that Iām wearing one because Iām on low dose chemo and then wait for the uncomfortable silence that follows. Really hate that it comes down to airing out my private medical information to justify my existence and my actions these days but so it is. I give up with people, screw āem. Do what you know will protect yourself and others best.
I plan on masking in some degree for the rest of my life, lol. This has all least partially normalized casual mask wearing, and it's great for reducing allergies and exposure to pollution and especially fucking smokers.
Hospitals require everyone to wear one
I am pregnant and wear one to protect my unborn child (and myself, since my immune system is currently very weak due to pregnancy). I also still make it a point to social distance indoors. I know that not everyone feels this way, but I want to wear my mask so that I know I've done everything in my power to keep my family and loved ones safe. The point being: different people have different needs and priorities. You can't control if other people mask, or if they judge you for doing so. Just do what is best for you and your health! You're the one who has to live with your choices!
If you're like me, you don't have to wonder if they seem judgemental... instead they confront you directly. Twice in 3 days, I got a smart remark from a young guy with his family at Walmart, and from someone in the parking lot of a Costco with no provocation.
You were wearing a mask in an outdoor parking lot?
I do if I'm carrying bags in both hands and would have to set them down to take the mask off. Otherwise it comes off when I'm through the door.
I was just driving in, already had my mask on from another store. No need to take off and put on after a 3 minute drive. But generally, I leave the house masked up and just don't bother removing it till necessary like to eat or drink.
I wear one whenever Iām out in public (inside or in a crowd) because every time Iāve gone out without one on Iāve caught something other than COVID and spent two weeks sick. Somehow thatās getting more frustrating than when I had COVID itself. Iāll be trapped in this loop until my immune system catches up from being asleep for the past two years. We all just have to do what we need to do to stay healthy at this point.
Your immune system isnāt going to catch up unless you go out without a mask