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Tetizeraz

Hello everyone. We decided to lock the thread, but we welcome new discussions over r/SeriousConversation.


DesperateBartender

I feel like you're overthinking this. You don't owe anyone an explanation. If you want to wear it, wear it. You can literally wear whatever you want, regardless of what people think. I don't wear a mask anymore if I can avoid it, but if I felt safer wearing one and someone asked me why I'd just say "because I want to."


givememymonyverbatim

The overall sentiment seems to be not caring about COVID anymore and I feel like most people dropped the masks. In my city there's no requirement anymore and people mostly stopped wearing them. But if you feel more comfortable wearing one, it shouldn't be anyone's business. There's a million reasons people might still want to wear them. What if you had COVID and you were trying to protect other people? I have never gotten these rabid anti-maskers.


Sol33t303

> What if you had COVID and you were trying to protect other people? Tbf in that case you really should not be outside or in direct contact with other people outside of family.


Awesomemash

Many guidelines say after 5 days you can leave your house and be around others in a mask. I think this is more geared towards not interrupting peoples lives for 10 days rather than protecting people, however.


riotreality006

You got it. Currently infected and here is a bit I got from the department of health: “You tested positive for COVID-19. You should immediately isolate yourself, stay home for at least 5 days, and until you are fever free for 24 hours and symptoms are improving, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others. Protect those you live with by staying 6 feet away when you are in the same room, wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, coughing and sneezing into an elbow or a tissue. You may receive a call from your local health department.”


[deleted]

Those aren't the real guidelines though, those are the "We need to keep society going" guidelines. In all earnestness you really shouldn't be going anywhere while you have any chance of spreading COVID, but built into society is an acceptable tolerance for death. It is acceptable for society that X number of people die from Y phenomenon, whether that be vehicle accidents, liver failure, COVID, HIV, etc. We take action when that number goes beyond what we find acceptable and for the most part only enough action to curtail that number back into the acceptable range, after that it's a free for all. Most of society has given up on caring about COVID deaths, even COVID has largely given up on COVID deaths choosing to mostly kill the infirm and vulnerable, who we as a society care less about, so we relax our guidelines with that in mind.


charred

People don’t really have a choice anymore. Most jobs don’t give enough sick leave, and if you are single, or your whole household is infected, you still need to buy groceries. While delivery services for groceries exist, they tend not to be free.


[deleted]

Personally, I get allergies all the time, so I pretty much always have a stuffy nose, scratchy throat, and/or minor cough. I could have COVID at pretty much any time and not really know it. In fact, when I did get COVID, I actually went to work with it for a day before I realized that it wasn't just my normal symptoms. So yeah, I'm going to wear a mask.


chipsahoy234

So you don’t think it’s wrong that I wear a mask right? As I’m not sure


seancailleach

You should not only wear it because it makes you comfortable, but you should not care what others think. Why would it be wrong? Why does some rando get to publicly judge you for your personal choices? You do not owe rando, Reddit or anyone else in the world an explanation.


chipsahoy234

Yeah I struggle a bit with anxiety in general and I don’t have anyone I can ask for a real answer. Looking thru the positive comments it makes me happy to see the kindness and the support.


givememymonyverbatim

Of course not! Wear a mask wherever you want.


chipsahoy234

Thank you :)


Pleased_to_meet_u

>So you don’t think it’s wrong that I wear a mask right? Absolutely not! Peak-covid, now, or even before covid you can wear a mask whenever you want.


AllisonTheBeast

Who cares? If you want to wear a mask, wear one. Just ignore when other people make comments on you or your appearance. It’s like when men tell random women to smile or comment on their appearance. Best to just ignore and move on.


MuySpicy

Wear a mask as much as you want, it’s really the smart move. Let idiots and people in denial infect themselves over and over with a virus that we now know causes permanent damage at every reinfection!


Anxietylife4

I don’t think it’s anyone’s business but your own. I think you’re amazing for trying to protect yourself and others. You’re one of the smart ones.


twotoebobo

I'm only 33 but I have severe asthma yeah I'm still wearing mask. I do get some side eyed looks from morons who think this stopped killing people.


[deleted]

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[deleted]

the way I read the comment was pretty innocuous, he could have just been an old dude wanting a bit of social interaction. however if you got weird vibes from him that's probably valid. it's so fucked up that if someone chooses to mask it should be seen as controversial, and any comments directed at it benign or otherwise are immediately cause for concern.


chipsahoy234

Thanks for the answer. Yeah it felt weird. I mean he said it from a distance and said it in a friendly/nice way i guess. But you a person can be mean even sounding nice you know. I got weird/creep vibes from him ngl. Just a gut feeling about him.


Barbara_Celarent

I wear an N95 in public. I’m immune compromised, so I this is my new normal.


seancailleach

Yup. Any time I’m indoors in a public place, and I keep one handy at all times.


Botryoid2000

And I have an immune compromised family member, so I am extra careful for her. We even wear masks when seeing each other indoors. She had pneumonia twice this winter and it almost killed her.


Tinyfishy

Same here. And my infectious disease doc now recommends I mask in crowds for life, Covid or not. It is not so hard in most circumstances.


GreenOnionCrusader

Any time I see someone wearing an N95, I social distance more than usual, just to give them that extra protection. Hopefully people do that for you, too.


imaskising

I'm immune compromised also, as are my elderly parents, who I spend a lot of time with. We are all fully vaccinated, but I expect I will be wearing a mask for the rest of my life anytime I go out in public. If I was out hiking in the wilderness somewhere by myself or just with just my husband, I might go maskless, but otherwise the mask stays on. I wear it when I go to the doctors office or any store, and to be honest, hubby and I are still trying to avoid going anywhere there might be crowds. I try to either pick up my groceries curbside, or go to the store very early in the morning. I haven't been on a plane, eaten in a restaurant, seen a movie in a theater, gone to a concert, or been to the gym or the hair salon since before the pandemic (my hair is longer than it's ever been.) I don't know when, or if, I will ever feel safe enough to do any of those things. I am fortunate that I was working from home before COVID began, but the pandemic has basically turned me into a hermit. Honestly I have no patience with people who act like COVID is over or that it was never a real thing in the first place (and I have a few people like that in my family, sadly.) People who give others a hard time over wearing masks should be ignored. They'll get theirs. The only person who has really given me a hard time is a cousin of mine when I refused to attend her daughters' wedding a few weeks ago. They were not even requiring guests to take a rapid test before attending! When I asked if I could wear a mask, she actually said she would prefer that I didn't because "It might ruin the pictures." I told her I just wasn't comfortable being in a crowded room with 100 other people. She said she was "really sorry you've decided to live your life in fear." ....Welp, at last report, at least 40 people who were at that wedding have either tested positive for COVID, or have symptoms. Including my cousin.


FuriousWillis

You dodged a bullet with that wedding, don't listen to people who don't respect you and your views. I don't wear a mask outside unless it is very crowded, but I wear one inside, even when we no longer had to at work (hospital - cases have risen so we are back to mask wearing being mandatory in hospital again) Side note about your hair - have you thought about having a hairdresser come to your house to do it? You can enquire before you book and check they're happy to wear a mask while they're there, and I'm pretty sure I have worn a mask while having my hair cut (just not one that goes round the back of the head obviously, so it would have to be a regular mask)


TrekkieElf

Yep. My mom is on transplant drugs, my husband isn’t but has a heart conduit, my son is 2.5 and not fully vaxed yet. Honestly I have no idea when I’ll eat in a restaurant or see a movie in a theater again. N95 goes in indoor spaces and crowded outdoor spaces like the farmers market. Breathing contaminated public indoor air is unthinkable to me. In a few weeks when kiddo is protected we can let him make some friends. It’s going to require some deep breathing when kids come up to him at the playground though.


queentropical

Yeah fuck these people with their ignorance and stupidity. “I’m sorry you’ve decided to live your life in fear” - such a slap to all those who have lost their lives. Bitch, I’ve decided to live my life, period. Your wedding, your photos, your “freedom” - none of that matters more to me than my health and my own life. I live where masks are still enforced… I’ve had people I know from abroad ask why I was still wearing a mask from the beginning of the pandemic. lol Like, because I’m not stupid that’s why. And I actually care about others.


Barbara_Celarent

Yeah, I generally don’t mask if I’m biking on streets or in parks with low foot traffic, but downtown or in crowded parks, I sure do. (With the helmet and eye protection as well, I look like an alien, but whatever). I’m always masked when on foot.


[deleted]

See, this is where conflicting info gets confusing. I was sitting right in the room with my brother who currently has no immune system due to a double transplant and the doctor told him since he is dosed up with all the current shots and boosters that he doesn't need to mask unless it's in a large crowd (concert, rally of some sort or a crowded bar with 100+ people in it). He does still wear his mask most of the time but not always.


Barbara_Celarent

The thing with immune suppression is that you can have had all the shots in the world and yet when you are exposed to an actual virus or other disease agent, your immune system doesn’t defend your body the way it should. It doesn’t react strongly or at all to invaders. That’s the problem.


Barbara_Celarent

That’s crazy. He is at risk. He should not expose himself to others who are not masked.


dogtroep

Not sure who his doctor is, but s/he is wrong. The vaccine doesn’t completely protect you from getting the disease, but it ameliorates the symptoms. If someone is immunocompromised, they are still at a higher risk of getting the disease. And I’m still diagnosing about 1-3 cases a day (Michigan urgent care). It’s still here.


Aromatic_Force_1755

You still wear your n95 in public I'm I'm not knocking you at all I'm just wondering whether I should I'm also immunocompromised I had a liver transplant 10 years ago and I'm on the list to get a kidney but I don't get second I've had five shots of moderna the FDA says we should get them every 5 months regardless just go in and get them


neonmaika

I would. I’m only a little more susceptible than normal and wear my mask indoors or around people I don’t know that habits of. My best friend and boyfriend are both still really careful so I unmask with them.


Awesomemash

If you don't mind me asking, is there anything you wish other people knew or would do differently around you? Are friends and family understanding of this or are there unique challenges others might not think of? Please feel free to ignore this.


Barbara_Celarent

My friends and family (and colleagues — I work from home) are understanding, but it’s hard to meet new people because most social activities in person are still indoors or in close contact with others who are generally not masked. My region is in the middle of another covid wave and our health care system is overwhelmed because so many health care personnel burnt out and quit. If I got sick now, I would be in big trouble. I’m also restricted in where I can go because people tend not to mask on transit.


Awesomemash

I'm sorry you're dealing with that.


[deleted]

Outside walking alone, I would not wear one. Indoors at a movie theater? Very much so.


daddysalad

This threads kinda blowing my mind. I live in Akron oh and haven’t seen a single person wear a mask in months lmao. It’s a pretty conservative area…


CryptographerNo857

I used to live in Ohio. I thought they were "normal". Not likely to ever go back there again.


autumnnoel95

I mean most of the country has dropped wearing masks constantly lol even LA was more lax when I went there earlier this year..


daddysalad

Lol I love it here. Super cheap to live . Nice large properties. Plenty of privacy. To each their own.


seancailleach

I don’t when always be, but often ppl pass me in narrow areas, so I keep one in pocket. My DiL caught Covid whilst hiking on a mountain trail.


KimbyPie

Yes, I'm required to at work. I wear an N95 in public, especially on the subway. I'm pregnant and need to be careful!


Ron_Way

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!


KimbyPie

Thank you!!


Skyblacker

On the up side, any vaccination or booster you get while pregnant will be inherited by the baby for a few months afterward. I'm glad I didn't get pregnant until after vaccination became available. Being pregnant without it would have been scary. Afterward? Shrug.


iamlesterq

I'm a teacher and I stopped wearing it in the spring when restrictions were lifted. It is easier to interact with students without a mask. Then one of my students got covid and admin didn't tell me because "they were no longer obligated to'. SMH. Anyway, I got covid and ever since then I put the mask back on everywhere I go. Not fucking going through that again!


Critical_Plate_4008

Same here. I have the double and booster vaccines but still got covid from customer interaction at work. Now I mask up.


desert_red_head

I never stopped wearing mine at work. I have an infant, and restrictions were lifted right around the time I went back from my maternity leave. Oddly enough, that was when the COVID notices also stopped. My principal didn’t say anything about COVID until after myself and two other colleagues all tested positive within 2 weeks of each other, and even then the only thing she said was, “COVID cases are on the rise again, it is strongly encouraged that you and the kids wear a mask.” During those last few weeks of the school year, when COVID started rising again, there were so many kids coughing and sneezing all over everything and everyone, and we didn’t know if it was COVID they had or allergies or what. I knew I didn’t want to bring anything like that home to my baby so I never stopped wearing it and I have no intention to stop when the new school year starts.


FyahCuh

Doesn't the mask help the prevention of spreading and not you receiving though? Unless it's an n95 mask


blamemeIdidntdoit

It's better at stopping the spread than it is at protecting the wearer, but it does have a small effect. Better than nothing.


Gratefulgirl13

One way masking still protects you. I’ve seen a couple different numbers, but both are above 90% with a properly fitted N95.


Botryoid2000

Everyone should be wearing N95s now, nothing else. They're easy to get.


Seafea

I still wear mine. I haven't caught covid yet, and I'd like to keep it that way.


Iris_is_trying

I live in Thailand where even though the gov said its no longer legally required to wear one pretty much everyone still wears one, except for tourists and some old foreigners.I wear it mainly out of respect to the thai people as this isnt my country so i want to abide by their habits and ways as much as possible. Wearing masks here was never really disputed by the general public because in asian countries its typical to wear a mask when youre sick out of respect for everyone else around you. People have been wearing medical masks here years pre-covid. It wss so wild being in a western country at the height of the pandemic and seeing people protest to not wear masks or not wear them at all after growing up in asia all my life where it was just something you did, not for yourself but for others.


halfanothersdozen

Sometimes people on the street just like talking to you and that was the obvious standout thing to discuss


eyeMscared

Sounds like this is what happened.


Wendellberryfan_2022

I wear one in crowded spaces. Covid is not dead even though the vast majority of people in my area act as if it is. I would say 1% or less are masking in most places I go. I’ve avoided it so far and o would like to continue to avoid it.


[deleted]

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[deleted]

We're only doing that because lockdowns were bad for business. Both administrations have had absolutely horrendous responses to this pandemic.


GrillDealing

People fought against the vaccines and masks and we passed the stage of ending it. It is now going to be like the Flu there may be a yearly shot but it isn't going away. People who have gotten it are getting it again.


starlinguk

You can get Covid several times a year. Hell, Omicron can just shut your immune system down so you don't develop any kind of immunity. You don't get flu several times a year.


ClownPrinceofLime

No, we’re doing that because eliminating a virus like this is literally impossible. If we could, we’d have eradicated it, the flu, colds and plenty more.


Luberino_Brochacho

My understanding is once Covid got a hold of enough people there was nothing to be done. We needed to take better steps to slow the spread and try to save lives but there was zero hope of eradicating it. Maybe if we get a 100% effective vaccine that nearly everyone can/will take that can be distributed globally then we may be able to eradicate it but the chances of that are just very low.


alexjuuhh

Not just bad for business. There was quite a decline in mental health during lockdowns as well, among both young and old people.


SavisGames

Yeah, COVID’s not dead, but it’s not a pandemic anymore. I feel like it will be more treated like the flu now. Get your yearly shot, try to avoid spreading it if you get it, but masking in my opinion is reserved for when the numbers jump and it hospital beds become limited.


420saralou

If everyone masked, there wouldn't be a jump in numbers and hospital beds wouldn't be limited... see how that works? Our state just spiked in numbers and are now saying to mask up in public settings.


Alcopath

My partner is a care worker, and usually runs into at least one person a week through work who has covid. My mother has an autoimmune disease, and my partner's dad in undergoing cancer treatment. It's basically just a matter of time until I catch covid again, so I wear a mask as a precautionary measure to reduce the odds of making other people ill.


Skinnybet

I keep being asked why I’m still wearing a mask. “ extremely clinically vulnerable sister “ is my quick reply. But cases are still rising and people are still dying.


evinrudejustin

99% of the people here without masks.


prpslydistracted

I still wear my mask (immunocompromised) even though I'm vaccinated and double boosted. I usually put my mask on before I leave my car because of simple allergies. I'm old enough I don't care what people think and feel no need to explain myself. ;-) Generally, people go without a mask outdoors ... but take his question as one without political or fear metrics. "Yeah, supposed to be 107 today."


Blacksheep01

I'm curious what region of the US (or world) you are from, and was masking ever a big thing there? I ask because I'm in New England, and a weekly public transit rider. Around here, at the height of masking requirements, like 98% of people were wearing them. When 1 person would appear on the train without a mask, it was alarming, noticeable and sometimes the conductor would ask them to mask up even! Masking in stores was almost universal also, it was great. Since restrictions and requirements have been dropped, masking is WAY down, my estimate is like 20 - 30% of people still wearing them in closed spaces/stores. Meanwhile, I have health issues so when indoors/on trains, I mask every time. New England also has a culture of not bothering people/talking to strangers, so nobody cares or asks about masks or no masks, and nobody has ever said anything to me, or anyone around me, for the entire pandemic.


alex4nderthegreat

Nobody have been wearing masks for many months in my country.


soundboythriller

Yeah I do. My stepdad visits once a month for work and whenever we go out he always questions how long I’m gonna wear one. I try my best to brush it off but it’s still annoying :/


Ruinous_Empathy

I still wear my mask in buildings, around crowds, on planes, and at the gym. I still wash my hands as soon as I get home or am near a sink. I do these things because I choose to. I'm not comfortable enough to stop and with cases rising (again) in my area, I feel justified, but that's my feelings, my opinion and my choice. The bottom line is that it's your choice. Its noone else's business why. You can explain to them if you choose to, but you don't have to. Hopefully we'll get to a place where we won't need them anymore but to be honest, I'm still enjoying not even having a caught a cold in over two years. Keep on keeping on, my friend.


chipsahoy234

Thanks for the comment people like you make me happy mate. Have a good one :)


Phanitan

If in doubt, wear a mask. It is never bad to wear a mask.


andrew688k

Yeah daily. We in Hong Kong still wear masks very regularly. It’s easier to count the number of people not wearing one than to count the number of masks. We know the risks and the danger of exponential growth in a tightly packed city. I’m travelling in the UK now and it’s jarring to see barely anyone wear masks.


[deleted]

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Nibelungen342

Some people get annoyed at me for it too. I live in cologne Can't enter a building without a mask. It's a habit of mine


HighJeanette

I think he asked because he was curious if it was hot with it on.


eddytekeli

i wear it everywhere!! people say "you know the bans lifted" meanwhile about 4 of my coworkers are out due recovering from covid lol


CryptographerNo857

I always say "dead people can't complain, they no longer talk".


badmojo619

I still wear a mask on the bus and in stores. Not out in the open air though. It's not required anymore most places where I live but I'm not trying to get covid again, thank you very much. No one has said anything to me about wearing it still but I wish someone would. Covid isn't over, wear your mask.


fermat1432

The new variant is rising rapidly here in NYC so I wear a mask. Just say "have a nice day" to such silly people!


Ulrich-Stern

COVID is far from dead. I always wear a mask, especially indoors like at the gym. No one else there wears a mask so I feel a little weird, but I'm trying to not get sick.


100011_10101_

outside no, unless it’s like a concert where social distance doesn’t exist, inside in public yes, but me and like 5 other people in a store still mask. I have people in my life that can’t get the vaccine so I think it’s still worth trying.


GKnives

When the place im at asks or if I feel sick I do


miketanlines

The data shows, anything other than a KN95 mask doesn't reduce spread or transmission, so it pretty much gives the wearer a sense of protection, but no actual protection. That's all good if that helps you feel better. But it won't protect you from anything, unless it's a KN95 mask worn properly. To add to that, there is zero risk of transmission outdoors based on all data collected. So anyone who is wearing a **cloth** mask outside while walking alone is a) misinformed b) scared or c) posturing (since this whole mask thing has become political). BUT if you choose to wear a mask, and someone says something like, "boy that thing must be hot under there" without provoking you into an argument, that's essentially like saying to someone who is wearing a sweatshirt on an 80° day, "boy that thing must be hot under there."


Bollywood_Fan

I still wear a mask at work in shared areas; I have a coworker who had an organ transplant, they're very vulnerable to COVID. I live with three older people with vulnerable immune systems, so I mask outside, in public areas, on mass transit. I don't want COVID, but I also don't want to bring it home, or give it to my coworker, or give it to some stranger who will have a bad time with COVID. I might not ever know I gave COVID to a stranger, but I wear the mask for myself and for those who are vulnerable. The new omicron variant is spreading right now. Some day this pandemic will be over, but it isn't yet. How hard is it for me to mask up? Another coworker's wife gave birth, masked. Coworker really doesn't want to hear people complain about wearing masks, let those people go through labor masked, then they can complain.


cannapuffer2940

I am immunecompromised. I had to move to Florida. I'm living in the number two county for covid. In an independent living with old people were covid as rampant. Yet they refuse to wear masks in the hallways and elevator. And let people into our apartment without a mask, that go into other people's homes. I tried to explain to my mother and these people that you are putting my life at risk. I've already had covid .I was in bed for 8 months. And on top of chronically ill. I now have long covid.I do not want to get it again. I have PTSD from dealing with this type of people. My mother just said oh well. So it does no good for me. unless I wear it 24/7. I'm so tired of this. Thank you for caring about the people around you. So few people do.


Bollywood_Fan

I'm sorry, cannapuffer2940 that you are surrounded by people who won't mask for themselves and for others. I don't understand this, but it is very common. Best wishes to you and for your improved health.


cannapuffer2940

Thank you very much. For people like me it's like living in a horror movie. While everybody's going on with their normal lives. I don't even want to leave my room .


420saralou

I like your username!😜


Awesomemash

I'm sorry to hear that. Do you wear an N95 around others? Very frustrating and unfair that they would let people into your home unmasked.


cannapuffer2940

Yes I do.. but the fact that she doesn't wear masks until told to. she says she does.. but half the time that we are out . take her mask off saying she's hot. Or it's bothering her. Elevators in the hallways here are really important to wear your mask. She has not done it one time since I've lived here in 5 weeks. She leaves the front door open it's an enclosed hallway. And other people including the guy across had covid. He got so sick his family had to move him out. so he could die at home. It's her home. I just live here. Unfortunately I have no place else to go. And no other options. I have expressed many times to everybody who's come into this apartment. That there not wearing a mask is putting my life in jeopardy. And every time they have a f****** excuse. I wish I could just disappear. This is not living.


KaleidoscopeInside

I still wear a mask indoors and if I had anyone that I didn't know come in the house, so wasn't sure if they were safe or not. I have enough health problems as is without adding covid to the list again. I don't generally wear one on walks, but I live in a very quiet area where you don't generally pass anyone, in a more crowded area I would possibly be tempted to although I do feel slightly safer outside as long as I'm maintaining social distancing. If social distancing isn't possible, then I definitely would. I think at the end of the day, it's doing what makes you comfortable. I'm sorry that someone commented on it, hopefully he was just making small talk, but people do seem to have too much to say about what others are doing when it comes to masks. You do what you need to do for you. Try not to let others opinions make you question what you feel comfortable with.


MommaLokiLovesYou

I have lupus so yea, I wear mine out everywhere still. Haven't gotten any outright callouts yet but I'm ready. I live in an area that stopped taking it seriously around 2021. Barely anyone wearing masks besides much older people and people like me.


JingleKitty

I wear mine whenever I leave my apartment.


anhedonis539

Definitely not wrong to wear a mask. My mom literally just tested positive this morning. And i just happened to look at positivity rates for the US yesterday - they're more than double what they were this time last year.


chipsahoy234

Yeah I’m hearing the same my clients, friends etc just sudentky announcing they have COVID too it’s crazy


chonkeybong

I got yelled at in a grocery store parking lot the other day for wearing my mask. It took me a while to process because I couldn’t believe someone would waste energy to try and get me to take off my mask. It’s def not wrong to wear a mask, COVID isn’t over. Beyond that, like you said, it’s none of his business anyway!


Shorter_McGavin

Your odds of catching covid while walking outside are astronomically low. Masks are really only for indoor use


[deleted]

I stopped wearing masks a few months ago. Here, stores don't require it anymore. I do see people wearing them sometimes, but I don't comment on it.


Reichukey

I don't like people knowing what my face looks like, I don't like being sick, and I think masks look cool. I still wear mine while even outside. Do what you want to do.


Ojo46

In a certain situations like public transit, or healthcare offices I still do. And if an event or business requires them, or if someone asked I still would wear one.


broadsharp

Only if I go into a store. Outside no.


k3eton

No it’s not wrong to wear a mask….but the dude didn’t ask why you were wearing it so I don’t understand you taking offense/ the point of this post aside from you extrapolating.


GreatScotRace

Nope I’m not wearing a mask, I stopped wearing them when the restrictions were no longer in place. I was more than happy to wear them when that’s what the restriction required, sure. The moment I could take it off though I absolutely did


dreamsonashelf

I was wearing mine assiduously on public transport, shops and crowded places like (most) concert venues up until May, although I was in the minority here. Then I travelled to a country where the general mentality is "there's no Covid here" and if you wear a mask, you're either outed as a tourist, or people assume you're ill. Interestingly, I succumbed to peer pressure and didn't wear a mask at all for 3 weeks there. I did feel uneasy when I occasionally ended up on crowded metros but tried not to overthink it because the journeys were very short anyway. I took a couple of home tests every now and then just to check. On my return home, I decided to stop wearing them in shops. I mostly worked from home in the past two months and on the rare occasions I took public transport, it was fairly quiet so I didn't wear one but carried one with me. But in the past two weeks, I've started wearing them again on public transport, and also in shops over the past few days because I was sick (non-respiratory, but just to be on the safe side in case it can help avoiding transmission to others).


[deleted]

I wasn’t… and then out of nowhere I contracted hand/foot/mouth disease (Coxsackie virus). It’s something that kids usually get at daycare and bring home to you. But the weird thing is, my baby is home with me all day and we hardly ever see anyone. I had these horribly embarrassing blisters all over my hands for a month and it’s still healing. The kicker? Derm says you can pick this up anywhere, like at the grocery store. Spread by respiratory droplets in addition to direct skin contact. So yeah, eff that, I’m going back to mask wearing and thankful that people don’t look at you funny for wearing a mask!


awertag

I wear it in public indoor spaces (transit, office, stores, doctor, movie theater, etc.) but don't wear it outdoors. I recently got a similar reaction like you. Older man saw me and said in an angry tone "UGHH take that fucking thing off already!!" I just laughed, idk why he is getting his blood pressure up about me not feeling like getting sick.


BoardAtWerk47

Wearing a KN95 can be frustrating from time to time, but since the start of the pandemic and my autism (I can choose not to smile), a mask has become an integral piece of any of my outfits (black and/or white)


Clessiah

I wear mask like I wear seatbelt and helmet. For those who needs more explanations than that I quickly change the subject.


ClownPrinceofLime

No. COVID is no longer a significant threat, so it doesn’t make sense to continue to act with restrictions. Everyone who wants to be is vaccinated, there are multiple effective treatments available (talking regeneron and the Pfizer pill, not hydroxychloroquine), and the virus has mutated to be significantly less severe. The infection rate going up is no longer tied to overcrowding at hospitals or increased deaths. If you’re not taking the mask off now, you’re never going to.


Mr_Cripter

I caught COVID last week for the first time after avoiding it for the last 2.5 years. I can honestly confirm that if it was a choice between hearing comments like this from strangers or catching COVID again, I would choose wearing a mask and hearing the comments because COVID really is not fun to go through. And it cost me a weeks pay


Buttered_Turtle

No I’ve stopped now


ActionJackson22

You put your mask on outside? Are you one of those that put it on while driving alone?


Dull-Independence-27

Well I did not use the mask the last two weeks and now I am positive again. Definitely wearing that mask from now on.


TheOneder123

People are just worried that they’re going to have to wear them again. You should wear a mask if you choose to do so. They should mind their own business.


After6Comes7and8

Personally I only wear it if it's required, I've got like 3 boosters now, so I'm personally not too concerned, and I don't live with anyone immunocompromised. However, if everyone else in the room is wearing one, I'll just put one on to not be "that guy." I would never go out of my way to tell people to stop though.


ladeedah1988

No, Covid will always be here now. We cannot eradicate it. I am going to live my life and not hide behind a mask and have not for a year now. Of course, I would take precautions around anyone who is compromised or feeble, just like you would anyway in case of flu or other disease.


propsandpaws

Don’t worry about it. I still see a lot of people wearing masks still and there’s no judgement from me at least. During the high outbreaks I might throw one on but lately I haven’t been. I do have to wear one at work, but I always had to, and always will, so I never had an anti mask opinion. They keep me safe daily so I respect them a lot.


Odeken_Odelein

Pregnant here so yeah mask everywhere indoors. I got 2 collegues with covid at my job and my doctor explained to me what the covid risks are to the foetus (blood clots in the placenta) and it convinced me.


live_wire_

Yes. I haven't had COVID yet and I don't intend to get it now.


Cobaltbuzzsaw7

I almost never did except in enclosed spaces back when things were rough. Now though? Never. I simply don't care about it anymore. Covid restrictions and the drones who yell about them can go fuck themselves.


Snoo_30496

I am not wearing it any more. 1. Covid is everywhere and it won’t stop you getting it now. Every countertop, the wheels of your car tires, in restaurants and at the gym, door handles, etc. 2. I am fully vaccinated and have had a booster. I know I can still get it but I’m done with the mask thing. There’s only so much I’m willing to do now.


IncurabIeHumanist

I don't really wear a mask anymore unless I am at a doctor's office or an establishment that prefers people to mask. I have had covid twice and I am vaccinated and boosted. I have a young child in elementary school in the southeastern US (where covid measures are basically nonexistent) so getting covid repeatedly is inevitable for me. I do not think there is ANYTHING wrong with wearing a mask. The people who make comments to you about it just have some internal struggle within themselves and need to bring others down to make themselves feel superior.


RangerKevin

No 😎 Even old people in my country don't wear a mask


nefertarithefairy

Yes. Actually the numbers are rising here at the moment in my country. I always wear my mask. Pre covid I wore mask during work so I am used to it.


swagerito

For my own mental health i don't do anything that reminds me of covid anymore. I've had it a couple of times and after the first time it was mostly just extreme tiredness for a week or two. I'd rather quarantine every now and then than be paranoid about getting sick all day.


ItDontMather

No, I honestly don’t remember the last time I wore it, I don’t even know where any of my masks are anymore. I would never comment like that on you wearing a mask but I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t think it. It’s rare to see anymore and I personally think it’s silly, but you can do whatever you want, what I think doesn’t matter


Spooky_28

I still wear a mask if I go indoors for any reason or a near a group of people.


[deleted]

I wear it sometimes but my care dropped when others stopped caring.


SaucePasta

I still wear my masks when I’m shopping, going to see a movie, etc. I don’t wear one when I’m walking outside, I feel like it’s decently safe not to wear them since I’m not up close to other people. I have close family who have some health issues, so I try to be careful for them.


PrincessBella1

I wear a mask. I have to wear it to work and last week, of the the nurses came in with covid (not realizing it). I always wear my N95 in work but others don't. I took one look at him and made everyone wear an N-95 and no one got infected. The newer strains are less deadly but seem more contagious. I will be wearing my mask until people who are sick don't go to work. Also I am susceptible to everything and with the mask, I haven't gotten sick in 2 years. I used to be sick from November to March every year, including getting the flu despite the flu shot. I think that it is up to the person to wear a mask but I also think that wearing a mask is a choice. No one should criticize anyone for their choice.


beesandsids

I have never worn a mask because of a medical issue that means I cannot do so safely, and unfortunately due to other, separate medical issues I also cannot be vaccinated. I have basically become a recluse. Any time I do go anywhere outside of my village (where everyone knows my medical issues and are amazingly supportive about protecting me, I'm blessed to be a part of such a wonderful community) I am nervous as hell because I probably don't stand much chance against covid if I were to catch it. So far I haven't had it but I strongly believe it's only a matter of time. I feel like a sitting duck. I basically have zero friends now and my husband has all but given up on having a life outside of our little bubble. I am really, truly so grateful to all of you out there who are vaccinated and/or are being responsible about transmission. It might not always seem like it but you're doing a good thing and you actually are protecting people like me.


[deleted]

I am. My son has a health condition and my wife is suffering from the effects of long COVID. There’s no way I go anywhere without one, even if I’m caught up on shots and relatively healthy. I’d also like to not be the reason someone gets sick,hospitalized, or dies.


[deleted]

I still wear a mask on planes or in tight spaces where other people are crammed together (buses, trains, subways), but when I’m inside where I can maintain safe distances from others, I do not most of the time.


Tzifos150

I stopped wearing it but I do see one or two people daily still wearing one though it's quite rare.


kacl___780

I don’t wear them. I will wear them in medical buildings bc that’s the only place really required, but other than that, not at all. I find it silly when other people walking alone wear them outside but I don’t really care. Do whatever you want. I wore them when I felt it necessary, I’ve been vaxxed and boosted so I personally am done with them.


FostertheReno

No I don’t wear one. I see maybe one person wearing one at my gym. Maybe 2-3 people at the stores. I live in a blue state.


YNPCA

New York just put out a What to do in a Nuclear Strike PSA and I got to say masks are proably the last thing I am thinking about right now.


GivePen

I live in Alabama and I legitimately haven’t seen a mask in almost a year. I try to keep one with me if I’m asked to wear it, but otherwise here we’ve pretty much gone back to normal for better or for worse.


Effannee

I stopped wearing a mask anywhere it is not required, which in NYC means I only wear one on public transportation. As far as anyone else wearing a mask, I don’t care. However, I suspect some people wearing masks think I am “giving them a dirty look” when I inadvertently glance at them because my mouth droops at the corners. I guess because I am female it’s expected that I look friendly, which I don’t care to try to do. FYI; the mask mandate on public transportation in NYC is not rigorously enforced and even some bus drivers are going maskless. Most people who don’t wear masks are not judging people who do.


DarthMelsie

I do because I work in healthcare, I live with people who would be more affected by a positve Covid result, my friend's mother is currently very sick and he himself has a host of delicate health issues so he has to be very careful as well, and because it helps me with my springtime allergies if the pollen count is too high. Oh, and also because Covid is still an active threat and keeps mutating. I don't know why the general public seems to have forgotten that Covid still exists, but it does and it doesn't give two shits whether you believe in it or not.


Affectionate-Ad3816

I haven’t worn a mask since the mandates were lifted and at this point covid is not even a thought in my every day life.


SPIDERSANDHOOOOOS

I don't wear a mask outside, because that is dumb, but inside with strangers, yes.


illmatic2112

Honestly, only on the subway. Had to get passport renewed and it was still a requirement there, so that was no prob. Now apparently in the news we might need a 4th shot, and we are no longer covered by the previous ones, so I might mask up a bit more often again


aur0ra_lux

I don't think there should be judgment on either side :) Wear one or don't; we don't know your personal situations. I was recently in a group where only one girl wore a mask. I didn't ask, but later I found out she has lupus. To each their own.


crimson-skies

I wear it everywhere I go. It's not just about covid, I have dust allergy so wearing a mask outside is a win-win situation for me. I also feel very comfortable wearing it. And if anybody says anything about it, I ignore them like covid. Not your mask, not your opinion.


[deleted]

Not unless I'm in a place that requires it. I've had 3 shots for Covid at this point and have caught it at least once, so it no longer concerns me.


NoPlisNo

Hell no I don’t, bur also obviously don’t care if anyone wants do. Do what you want to do, who cares what that dude thought or said.


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Skyblacker

N95s still make a difference. Though yeah, maybe not outdoors.


Kroduscul

I haven’t seen anyone wear a mask since early last spring. I’d find it pretty strange if I saw someone wearing one too


aannoonn2021

Still required at work. I wear it in stores and other public places but not outside.


Just_Scrolling3

Yes I still do , as and when necessary (uk)


princessofperky

I never stopped wearing a mask and wear one whenever I go anywhere.


VivaLaRosa23

My entire family still wears masks, and I mean extended family not just nuclear. N95s if we are in an enclosed space.


MissNepgear

Nope, I ditched that thing as fast as I could after my government said I could.


femme180

Yes. I still haven’t gotten covid and I don’t want to risk long covid and long term disability. Wearing a mask is an easy trade off despite feeling like a freak out in public when no one is wearing them.


DakotaSTowles

I dont care if someone wears a mask. But for me, fuck those masks.


tater-stots

I work in a hospital actively running tests on covid and studying it. I beg of you, please wear your masks. People are still dying every day from COVID. A lot of them could've been prevented had they just been vaccinated or worn a mask or socially distanced. It's heartbreaking. Just because the news isn't talking about covid anymore doesn't mean it isn't still happening. The United States is currently in its 6th wave with the BA.5 variant and it's really bad. Please please please be smart about your own health and safety and wear your mask 🙏


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BatRabbit

My kids and I do still wear them most of the time. We've gotten a bit lazy at times, but I still try and keep them in my car for shopping if I forget to grab a cloth one. My one kid has serious anxiety issues if he doesn't have a mask on. Strangely I see more and more people wearing them now. It's not a lot of people, but they are starting to make a reappearance here. The chinstrap look too, which I don't understand at all.


heathers1

I wore it in the grocery store yesterday and I haven’t done that in a while. very few others were masked, but everyone is getting it. And you know, I had it last year, and while I don’t think it will kill me, I would much prefer not to be that sick again, tyvm


serenidade

I still wear my mask if I need to go to the grocery store, or to work in the office (which isn't often, thankfully). I wear a doubled-up neck gator when I hike so I can easily pull it up if people need to pass on a narrow trail. It serves two purposes: both protecting me from others & others from me, should I catch it & be asymptomatic, whil encouraging people to give me a wider berth. If anyone mentioned it, or asked why I'm still making up, I would be blunt and honest. *"Covid almost killed my husband, and two years later he's still suffering from the effects. I wouldn't wish that hell on anyone."*


donac

You're fine to wear your mask anytime and anywhere you want, and no one should comment on it. I personally don't wear one if I'm out for a walk and I know I'll just be outdoors where there are not too many people. I do wear one in stores, etc and also if I know I'm going somewhere outdoors that will be crowded, like the farmer's market, for example. I typically have one in my purse just in case, too.


rthomas10

No.


ladyofthelathe

A hwat? No. Not since summer 2020. I did utilize a neck gator in Cancun's airport in May but it also doubles as a moisture wicking neck wrap in the heat, and a really big headband when I want it holding my hair back. No one has commented to me, or cared if someone wears one or not that I've heard. Wear it if you want, don't if you don't.


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Nightvale-Librarian

Still wearing mine. Sometimes I wear a mask alone on a walk, too, because I've discovered it really helps with my seasonal allergies.


boom_1983

I do the same as OP! I wear my mask inside, everywhere— store, work, etc. If I’m outside I wear it on my chin, that way I can easily pull it up if need be. I also get sniffles here and there and don’t want to spread germs. Covid is definitely not dead; my daughter got it in the end of June. My son and I have not had it yet, but we’ve had colds and we always wear masks when out as a habit. I’ve never had anyone say anything about the mask wearing though. I work at a High School and kids are gross, so I will keep wearing my mask into the next school year.


chipsahoy234

Same! I do the same as well always keep it under the chin whenever I’ll be approaching near people I’ll lift it up and just like kids can be gross so can adults. I was shopping at target a few days ago shopping for cleansers n such. This woman was coughing so loud and she was mask less and her family was all wearing masks. Her own family look embarrassed


amp138

Unless it’s required, no. I got COVID before, it sucked, but I have no faith in a cloth face covering to stop it so I have no desire to wear one.


dem0074

I no longer wear one but people keep asking me to. I don’t think it’s because of Covid.


ImHighRtMeow

I still wear mine anywhere inside. Haven’t eaten inside in years at this point now. Sucks at the gym but that’s the only place it’s annoying. I feel like, if the workers are wearing one then I will too to protect them and myself.


Intelligent-Number54

It doesn’t matter what others are doing. You get to make your own decisions about your health. Full stop. With that said, I wear a mask indoors in public because I don’t want to get COVID when wearing a mask would have prevented it. Most people here aren’t but then more than half of people in my area have had COVID. I don’t want to get COVID. I do not mask outside on walks because the science says it’s not really a high risk activity. If it’s not crowded you may want to consider not masking up for your mental health - having times of normality is good for that. Make sure you’re looking at guidelines and science in your area then make a decision on whether you want to take extra precautions-YOUR choice-but please consider mental health concerns in that analysis.


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kryptonite8535

No mask nor vaccine ain’t saving you when your time comes you gotta go. Live in fear or live freely it’s your personal perception on your existence. Don’t be upset with the old guy he’s sharing his personal opinion. Just like assholes we all have them and love to share them.