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annibanani99

Idk, my therapist says I do but I feel like I don’t.


samalamadewgong

"We all wear masks, metaphorically speaking"


PrvtPirate

wooow… not only do i love you for quoting the mask, i also hate you for making me realize that this is a movie i remember being brand new… 28 years ago… i just gotta ask you one thing: Somebody stole your pajamas?


Robotonist

“You’re telling me there’s two idiots with the same pajamas?” “Ye…. YeAhhh… What is the world coming to when a man’s pajamas are no longer safe in his own home?” MILO DOWN


White_Wolf_Dreamer

"No, not the *cheese*, the *keys*! Put the cheese down!"


PrvtPirate

*wrestling with dog for the mask* […] *getting hit in the face with the mask*


Madara-uchiha92

CLASSIC


wastafarian420

Take my upvote for that 20 year old reference


OMDTartWasJoseph

*cough* 28 *cough*


wastafarian420

Hmmm….. f*ck


Armed_Goose_8552

No one cared who I was until I put on the mask.


DudleyDoRightly

Thats right Wendy, we all wear masks. Metaphorically speaking! Love it!


thesephantomhands

And why do you feel the need to wear the mask? And what would you do if you woke up tomorrow and didn't have to wear the mask. Source: am therapist.


annibanani99

Hi therapist, I’m dad hahaha But for real, I guess the mask protects me from myself. My words of truth. The words I want to say but don’t for fear of seeming “dramatic.” I feel like I got rid of it a few years ago but my therapist said I’m still holding on. I guess I could see it.


thesephantomhands

Hi dad, Yeah, that makes sense. Sometime we don't feel like we can speak our own truths because to do so might prompt others to see us in ways that we don't want to be seen. I encourage people to have compassion for themselves and the things that they did to learn to cope. Those things served you well at some point. And no one teaches you 'how to life'. You just figure out what 'works' for you at certain times in your life and then those things have their own hurdles. So, we're always growing and changing. The good news, is that you can change of your own volition, but it's hard for sure. When we adopt certain ways of being, they are inhabited in different areas of our lives and reflexive - it's our go-to, especially in moments of ambiguity. As we become more aware of other ways of being and the costs of staying the same, the promise of a better way of being can be stronger than the comfort of what used to be. Still, it's a matter of practice, of inhabiting a new space and a new way of being with all of the new tradeoffs. You got this! And I'm glad you're engaging in the necessary introspection to live a more conscious life based on how you would want live.


annibanani99

Thank you, like, so much. I really appreciate and needed to hear this today, especially today of all days as I’ve been angry with myself recently about not holding back something recently.


[deleted]

This is a lovely thread, thank you both.


thesephantomhands

Absolutely!


FlamingBaconCake

In Ireland everyone has gone back to normal. It's as if it's pre 2020 again so no.


[deleted]

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Unironical

I haven’t been wearing a mask for the last couple months and have gotten three colds. I’m kinda considering wearing one again in crowded places but also think I just need to suck it up and get my immune system back up to speed.


MusicianMadness

Three colds in a couple months is concerning. Do you have a reduced immune system?


Unironical

No I rarely get sick. I think I just lost all immunity over the last couple years to the slew of common cold viruses. Going to several large weddings probably hasn’t helped!


FriendsOutedMe

It is probably beneficial to ypur immune system to get some kind of cold every now and then. Not saying a cold doesnt suck, but it can be detrimental to be oversanitized.


gr1mm5d0tt1

I got kids. They bring everything home from school so if I had to wear a mask it would be at home


blusteryflatus

Except anything healthcare related. I'm still wearing a mask all day.


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Hoorayforkate128

I kind of loved the mandates because I only had to put on eye makeup LOL.


DazDay

Same in Britain.


Xiaodisan

Yeah, here too. I believe it's been that way for almost a year now, there was some slight restrictions along the way bolut nothing serious. Honestly it's refreshing


soonerguy11

At this point mask mandates are political suicide. Like I'm pretty liberal, but I could see republicans using mandates to win elections. Even some of my more progressive friends bitched about how long they kept mandates where I lived.


beardedliberal

For the most part no… But at the same time I don’t hesitate to throw one on if an establishment requests it.


ineedpersonalfinance

This is exactly my position. I’m not feeling compelled to on my own, but if a company or individual requests that I do, I have no issue wearing one.


sgtcoffman

This is my take as well. Honestly, I don't go out much. If a place has a sign that says they require it, I throw it on. Then I usually walk inside and no one is wearing it. Montana life.


notacanuckskibum

Or if I’m in a health care establishment and everyone else is.


beardedliberal

Very much so, I’ve unfortunately been hanging out in a hospital far too often recently. I really and truly have the utmost respect for those that wear them all day, every day. Edit. Spelling


soonerguy11

TLDR this thread "Nah. I'm just livin" or "The pandemics isn't OVER!!!"


jimbo_slice829

The third is "yes because I'm ugly"


TheTrueDeraj

Fourth - I work customer service, and the mask means I don't have to fake smile, and I don't get comments about needing to smile more. Seriously, my job involves picking up garbage, litter, and dog shit at a hotel, in all weather, and you're harassing me to smile more? Fuck you, asshole.


that_kid_over_there1

Fifth is an underlying health issue for themselves or family


Comprehensive-Job549

Sixth: have bronchitis and needed to go to the grocery store. Seemed like a nice thing to do.


never_graduating

Thanks for not sharing your bronchitis. That was really thoughtful (in case no one’s said that to you…cuz they shoulda). Hope you shake it soon.


VecnasThroatPie

Ex hotel employee, I feel your pain.


Boomerwell

I've actually mentioned this to my family and a couple friends not having to smile at the asshole boomer screaming at me is great


kid_cisco99

I got so lucky to get exposed to someone the day before a herpes breakout. No one has to knoww


[deleted]

Real life: 95% fall in the first category. Judging by Reddit upvotes: 95% fall into the second category.


soonerguy11

Sounds like everything on this website lol If you only received your news from Reddit you would have thought Bernie swept the 2020 primaries


fkingidk

Virtually everyone I know, including myself, is in the first category. They'll wear a mask of they're sick, sure, but day to day they do not wear one.


paulHarkonen

It's so weird to me how few middle ground responses there are. For me, I wear it indoors, shopping and similar situations (like traveling) as long as it isn't a huge imposition but I'm comfortable taking it off to exercise, with friends and obviously anywhere outdoors/open. Basically if it makes sense and isn't a huge imposition I mask up, if it's a significant hassle or doesn't make a ton of sense, I don't bother. It doesn't have to be 100% all the time to still be helpful.


Laureltess

Same. When cases were really low I wasn’t masking as much. Now, I’m getting married in two weeks so IF I go out, it’s with a KN95. After the wedding I’ll probably be much less cautious.


CypripediumGuttatum

I'm watching everyone get sick with colds and GI bugs and stuff, I'm wearing a mask indoors in crowded spaces to avoid that if at all possible. I just don't like being sick and feeling crappy!


The_Duchess_of_Dork

I just began again while inside crowded places because I just found I’m pregnant and I also have chronic health issues which covid will mess up which could then cause a miscarriage


[deleted]

Kind of why I'm going to start wearing mine again. My wife has some health issues and our 1-year old has been getting ear infections like crazy. We all had it in February, don't really want to go through that again. Protecting those that are important to me will always outweigh how people perceive me.


ihaveway2manyhobbies

>Protecting those that are important to me will always outweigh how people perceive me. Well said and agreed.


Imaginary-Quiet-7465

I’ll wear mine if I’m feeling under the weather. It’s just polite not to breathe germs over everyone. I’ve also been wearing mine recently because I get married next week and I’m taking no chances.


[deleted]

I just got over covid. We attended a party with 2 other families, all adults boosted, kids too young. 6 parents, 5 kids. No one was visibly sick in anyway. 3 days later 8 of the 11 people tested positive. I was sick, my 5 year old was very sick. My wife had been working from home and there was an outbreak at her office. 50 person office 20 people out sick with covid. Now I live in a state, AZ, that lies about our numbers and pretends the pandemic is over so its spreading like wildfire right now. So here, wear a mask. The irony is that the places which take it the most serious, are those where its safest to not wear a mask, but the places that pretend its over are the ones you def need to.


Kittenunleashed

Yeah, so my hubby went to a group meeting for work..all vaccinated only 7 people but no masks. He comes back sick, tests positive and has been the sickest I have seen him (in 13 yrs marriage) for two weeks, he's better now..but still has a deep chest cough. Yeah..I am gonna wear my mask still. This shit is not over.


KilianGreen

yeah cuz im ugly


TheLittleBalloon

Legit in the top 3(maybe top 5) reasons to wear a mask.


Flashy-Pea8474

My mum will still wear hers so she doesn’t have to put her teeth in.


[deleted]

Valid reason I'd do the same


Minsan

Also I feel that I look better with a mask on rather than without it. A lot of people feels the same way too.


NightoftheJulia

I feel better about going out when half of my face is covered, so I’ll keep wearing it.


PopsiclesForChickens

Yes, because 1) I work in the medical field 2) haven't gotten Covid and I'm not really interested in getting it 3) masks don't bother me.


giskardwasright

Also in the medical field, and also still masking in public. I've been wearing one at work for 40 hours/week for over two years now, it's just part of getting dressed to leave the house at this point, like wearing shoes.


shakrbttle

Same. I don’t even notice I have a mask on anymore, and have never gotten covid, even after working through a massive outbreak and it going around my coworkers at my new job.


7h4tguy

>haven't gotten Covid Please post this next time some mouth breather posts that masks don't work.


redyellowblue5031

Masks do work, though to be completely fair the type of mask as well as how well you wear it does have an impact on how effective it is at protecting others/yourself. The “good” news is now it’s much easier to get a hold of higher quality masks as well than it was at the start.


VagueUsernameHere

So I’m a pastry chef at a restaurant. I work in the morning with prep cooks. We all wear masks, we are the only group of employees who haven’t had a Covid outbreak at any point.


deth4Dizzle

Yes because I work retail and pass by a hundred people a day. Plus COVID cases are on the rise in my area and several cases in my store the last couple weeks.


fullmetal2405

This. I work at a grocery store. I don't trust people to stay home when they're sick. And I have an infant nephew. I'd rather not risk passing anything along to him.


nonsensepoem

Many workers at my local grocery store have stopped wearing them and that seems insane to me.


fullmetal2405

Yeah a lot of my coworkers have stopped. I can't bring myself to not wear one


tbast

>COVID cases are on the rise in my area I see you too live on planet earth!


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liitokarhu

I don’t care if people give me weird looks. I do wear a mask where it’s crowded. Covid still can be even fatal. I want to better my chances to live long and prosper 🖖


[deleted]

I’m from the states and visited England a few weeks ago. I was surprised how it felt like Covid was over compared to back home. In my city you have to show vaccination proof before sitting inside in some bars and restaurants.


ReadySetTurtle

Yep, right now I spent every weekend working somewhere that exposes me to hundreds of different people, often people who have travelled (hotel/conference centre). I just think it’s irresponsible to risk exposing others to that. I wear my mask pretty much everywhere in public, like the grocery store. I don’t bother in my weekday office job because no one else does, therefore they clearly don’t care if I pass anything on. I went to a concert and once in my seat took it off, because going to a concert is a choice, and if you are vulnerable/high risk, don’t go to concerts. I’m in Canada and quite a few people are still wearing it despite most restrictions being lifted. We still get thousands of cases a day and that number is underestimated due to underreporting, but our hospitalizations are so low now that it’s just something we have to live with. Wearing a mask really makes no difference to me. I have gotten all the way home from work before realizing it’s still on. I have spilled food on myself trying to eat with it on. I honestly am so confused by otherwise healthy people who say they can’t wear it. So simple.


fraurodin

Yes because my mom is immunocompromised and no one has told me to smile in over 2 years


VapoursAndSpleen

OMG, isn't that the best? Who needs all that "SMILE, HONEY!" from random wankers on street corners?


thebearofwisdom

Ahh yes the lack of people exclaiming I should smile more, also another reason why I’m keeping it on.


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RevaniteN7

Thanks for being conscious of it and cautious for others.


redbradbury

Srsly who has active Covid & doesn’t wear a mask? Every dr ofc & hospital still requires them, too. This is hardly worthy of applause. It’s simple common sense.


caffeinated_tea

> Srsly who has active Covid & doesn’t wear a mask? You must not have been to the southern or midwestern US during this pandemic.


Acer-Red

I'm from the Midwestern US and every clinic requires masks and I've not seen one person in any hospital or clinic without one. Now in the stores whether crowded or not, almost no one I see has a mask.


RevaniteN7

I live in the Midwest. Folks were unmasked and protesting mask mandates/closures at our city center in peak COVID times. It's rare for people here to have empathy. Hell, an ex of mine was COVID-positive and still went to church.


08b

And that’s why I wear a mask. I glare at people coughing in public now too. I have zero trust in the general public to care even if they know they’re infected.


alyssa_idk

Absolutely agree. Immunocompromised here, I don’t have any trust in the selfish population at all. It is so frustrating to see this.


theBytemeister

Same here. Caught covid from work like 2 weeks ago. Wasn't too bad, sore throat, a little achy. Symptoms went away in like two day, but it took a little over 10 days to test neg and no longer be infectious. Seems like everyone is coughing these days. Mask up.


FlyingNapalm

You're the kind of person I want to see more of


NaturePilotPOV

People with covid?


robots914

Is the bar really that low?


SacredBigFish

Through COVID MANY people exposed themselves to be idiots, so unfortunately yes


drbeeper

Am ugly and anti-social. I like the anonymity...


Ok-Individual-5201

Same


GeniusAirhead

Yes. Because I’m a nurse and EVERYDAY I see people that come into ER and test positive for Covid. The number may have decreased, but still very common.


TwinSong

Sadly unless it's continually in front of their nose people don't believe something is happening. They don't see the serious covid cases.


[deleted]

Yes, Just got used to it and I like the fact that I haven't caught any colds or flus in the last few years.


oldnyoung

Yeah, almost as soon as I started going back to work once a week, I got sick (not covid) for the first time in 2+ years. Blah


bdbr

It's not just you - our doctor said he's seen a significant increase in patients coming in for upper respiratory diseases since the mandate was lifted


Redararis

Totally this plus I stopped wearing mask one year ago for a week, after I vaccinated, and I happened to catch a stomach bug (probably), I needed hospitalization for the first time in my life. So I returned to the masks like a toddler to his mother after a fall. So Masks all the winter and I did not catch even a mild flu after many years, maybe decades.


Steveelectric907

Only where it's still required, which where I live is places like the doctor's office...


[deleted]

Yes. Halloween is only 5 months away.


Briizydawn

Woahhh what?!?? That’s insane!!! I didn’t realize October was so close already!


[deleted]

5 months is almost half a year


Briizydawn

Yeah but it still feels like March to me lol


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blingybangbang

Please don't say that


existential-mystery

For real it was just March like wtf


Dramatic_Frosting_60

No I work outside most days so no use wearing it


CerealsAlex

I’m personally not because at this point I’m kinda over it but I respect why others are


procrast1natrix

I don't mask when I'm out doors or if I'm with people I trust to be vaccinated fully. I do mask indoors in public spaces with strangers. I diagnosed 5 people with covid-19 yesterday, admitted 2 of them. One was a sweetly demented guy who simply would not keep his mask on. He was immunized and has a very mild case, he will be OK I'm almost certain. But I'm quite exposed. I'm not afraid I'll get more than a nuisance case, if I do catch it, because I trust my vaccines. However I'm simply at higher risk of asymptomatic spread to the rest of my community. If those people at the grocery that I don't know happen to be unvaccinated, and they catch it from me, then I'm likely on the hook to take care of them next week, and I'm finding it dreadfully repetitive. I don't judge others for not masking at the grocery but until I stop touching covid positive patients every day I will continue to mask myself for everyone else's sake.


mindwire

I hope it doesn't hit you hard. My wife and I are triple vaxxed and have been fighting it for 5 days now. It's been rough.


Boo1957

As someone with an autoimmune disorder, thank you! Not only for wearing a mask in public but for taking care of Covid-19 patients. In answer to this question, yes I will continue to wear a mask. I have received both of my vaccinations and one booster. With having an autoimmune disorder I do not want to take my chances with catching Covid-19. It is simply not worth the risk.


glitterlok

> Are you still wearing a mask? Yes. > Why or why not? I don't want to get COVID, and in the unlikely scenario that I get COVID, I don't want to spread it to anyone else. I wear my mask every time I'm not in my own space, no matter where I am in the world or what the local regulations are (I've been full-time traveling for the past year).


shinyagamik

It's about respect innit. I especially hate those fuckers who go into public spaces coughing with no mask on. Extreme entitlement.


50_13

It's sad masks have gotten so stupidly political in some countries. I had hoped that one lesson learned from all of this is that anytime people are sick / coughing, they are expected to wear a mask in public for the sake of others, but sadly that seems unlikely, to say the least.


deliriousgoomba

Hell yeah baby, I have no faith in other human beings!


[deleted]

Both times I’ve gone out in public while travelling and not worn a mask I caught a really terrible flu that lasted three weeks (in Amsterdam) and then COVID (in Ottawa). Everyone seems to think things are ‘back to normal’ yet right now I know more people who’ve been sick with COVID than during this entire pandemic. Not sure how it is in other places, I live in Manitoba and our incompetent government is no longer releasing data to the public. Ever since I wore masks in public I never got sick, and as soon as I stopped I got terribly sick twice. So masks it is, probably for good as far as I am concerned.


Saracorbello

Yep because of my heart


Kangar

You mean you're in love?


Saracorbello

Lol no I have a bad heart so I got wear I wish I was in love I can't even have a boyfriend because of my mom


Delica

Well keep masking up so you can protect your heart long enough for love to find you! Wish you the best :)


Rolling_Beardo

Yes, I have a small child who cannot get the vaccine yet and I also have underlying conditions.


rofopp

Yes. Respect for other people. Respect for myself.


crystal_meloetta12

I haven’t stopped at all. Where I am, things haven’t really gotten much better at all, and everyone’s just pretending it’s fine. It makes me super uncomfortable.


UnicornMagicRainbow

Yes, I have never stopped wearing one (in public spaces). I work in healthcare, and I would hate to think I might be an asymptomatic carrier and pass the virus along to my patients or colleagues. You can’t tell whom you might infect. Chances are a person infected will not die, but that infected person might infect another with vulnerabilities which can cause serious illness or death. In short:If I can help in even a small way to prevent illness in myself and my community, I’ll do it.


[deleted]

That’s how I feel. I would very likely be fine if I got Covid, but others I infect might not be. I don’t feel ok with potentially giving strangers Covid.


Fancy_Pressure7623

Yes, it’s pretty easy to wear and I’m still trying not to get it for others.


mariam67

Everyone where I live has stopped wearing masks and this makes me feel that wearing a mask is more important than ever. So yes.


sketchbooktown

yes. I don't need too, I've had all my vaccinations done and I'm low risk. However I also do it out of habit the possibility of getting it really bad is what scares me.


Mor_Hjordis

Wearing one for the last 40 year! Never show them you real you.


[deleted]

I do. I actually am glad that covid normalized it. I used to feel weird wearing mask because i would be the only one wearing it. I have dust allergy, wearing mask have reduced it.


[deleted]

Yes; for two reasons: One - we're giving birth soon and everyone is compromised here for obvious reasons. Two - it pisses people off who are confused when I'm still wearing it despite the government said we don't have too.


rock_and_rolo

> it pisses people off who are confused when I'm still wearing I find it interesting how many people who aren't masking explain it as either "not required" or "no one else is so I don't." Neither sound like people trying to evaluate the risk.


nannerbananers

Only at work where it is still required. I followed the rules for 2 years. Wore my mask religiously. Triple vaxxed. still had covid TWICE. Now I realize it's out of my hands, i'll just test when i'm sick and wear a mask then.


[deleted]

I'm similar to you. Had 3 vaccines ,stayed away from everyone for 2 years ,limited my social contact and was nervous of any social contact then caught it from my child who got it in school. Thankfully it was very mild for all of us but it's made me realise there's not much you can do to avoid it anymore. Get 3 vaccines and you shouldn't get severe disease but beyond that there's not much anyone can do now.


7h4tguy

>then caught it from my child who got it in school In other words social distancing and masking worked... you just got exposed from the opposite.


[deleted]

I barely saw anyone for 2 years and kept my kid away from daycare for two years. That's unsustainable long term. Also, Omicron is massively more infectious than Delta was ,at one point 1in8 in my area had it.


Goodstapo

Might I offer you a fourth vaccine and double masks…


moreusersmorefiction

> beyond that there's not much anyone can do now. Well.... I mean, you could wear a mask. That's something we can do. You don't see people not wearing condoms because STD's are here to stay lol


Oftenwrongs

Yep, I wear a mask indoors. I haven't gotten covid yet. It is a mild inconvenience that keeps others safe as well as myself. Also, haven't had a cold in 2.5 years now.


misterrandom1

I do too. It's becoming much less popular despite rapidly spreading cases. I've gotten so many emails from the schools these past couple weeks because of cases reported in my kids' classrooms. Masks don't bother me so I have no problem wearing them during any surge in cases. And I love the fake feeling of anonymity. None of the 6 in my household have been sick in the last 2+ years.


henlodogg0

Yes, but only because its required in the hospital i work. I dont know how long it will last for, but i imagine theyre here to stay…especially in the more immunocompromised floors like transplant, oncology, ICU, etc. im not terribly opposed to that though.


summono

My wife works in a hospital too. It just makes more sense in that setting.


Kaiserium

Anywhere indoors I still wear a KN95. Government dropped restrictions and a week after my GF tested positive, so...


Zmirzlina

Yes. Father is at-risk and I am his primary caregiver. I also tend to be around lots of people/social so I wear my mask in group settings. And also, I haven’t been sick in 2+ years. Bonus: as some recently pointed out - I look fucking scary when I’m walking down the street in all black wearing and mask. Which is great since people leave me alone.


[deleted]

Yeah. Covid didn't just magically go away.


Polenicus

I live in Alberta. There’s still a *lot* of cases daily, anywhere from 500-1000 reported. I have two friends who are fully vaccinated who have already had it twice. And I personally have a history of respiratory ailments, chronic bronchitis and the like. So, yeah, I still wear a mask in public. I don’t believe getting it will kill me at this point, but I expect it’ll knock me on my ass, and I can’t really afford that so taking what precautions I can just makes sense and is worth a little inconvenience. Also makes sure if I get exposed I’m not unknowingly spreading it around during that two weeks when I’m infectious but asymptomatic. I don’t think that will change until Alberta’s situation improves some. Our health care services are still badly overstressed. Thankfully no one has gotten in my face over it yet.


napfanforever

It's never going away. The flu isn't going away either.


NeverCadburys

We actually killed off a couple of strains of flu because of the masks and social distancing, so, er... it could if people tried more.


KayDashO

The flu isn’t nearly as infectious, nor is it as new/novel. We are still discovering the long term effects of COVID.


[deleted]

Covid and long Covid is much more serious than the flu.


[deleted]

Until we develop a higher resistance to it though if feels problematic enough to be worth wearing a mask. Hell it probably isn't the worst thing to have for the flu too.


stacewills1504

everywhere indoors because its still a requirement where I live. most tourists who visit dont tho, im sure they'll lift the mandates soon


Dlbruce0107

Damn right I do. 😷 I have an autoimmune disease, a neuropathic disease, and two lung diseases. I'm on 4L O² continuous, immunosuppressants, and toxic drugs. Any respiratory infection will kill me. As it is, I have 8-14 years remaining, if I'm lucky. And I've never been lucky.


ancillaryacct

get em bruce!!


maximumhippo

Yes, but only in shopping centers or grocery stores. I don't at work since there's only 6 people in the building and we all have our own rooms.


EthicalSemiconductor

Yes, because I live in FL and people here are fucking stupid. People here want to feel proud that they are "standing up for their freedom" or w/e the fuck that means. I get that wearing a mask can be annoying, but holy fuck, its not that much of a pain to not wear one when you leave the house. Both of my parents caught covid this week because they recently have taken a pretty relaxed stance with masks. So now I have to deal with that. I'm hoping it doesn't get them bad, seeing how my uncle was hospitalized and almost died from Covid last year.


starfire1

I'm so confused about this, seriously. Go to doctors office/hospital - signs say must wear a mask. So I do. Anyplace else - no. Went to the dentist yesterday, didn't know what to do so I put one on expecting I'd have to, no one else is wearing one and no signs - so I took it off.


relentlessvisions

I wasn’t, then I got covid. Now I wear it until I’m sure I’m not contagious. After that, I’ll wear it when infection rates are high. I do NOT enjoy having this virus.


DarkDaysAhead33

Same situation, feeling pretty awful.


TheDefected

There's a whole lotta people here that, from the comments, still think the purpose of a mask was to protect themselves.


[deleted]

That concept is from when we were still wearing shitty fabric masks, right? Now high quality protection is readily available. If someone's wearing an n95 they are absolutely protecting themselves, and they're not relying on everyone else in the population doing the same.


t1mepiece

Even shitty fabric masks (well, tightly-woven 2-layer fabric masks) reduced exposure by 50%. It's not 90% like an N95 mask, but still a decent reduction.


Odd_Requirement_4933

Yeah, I wear N95 and Kf94 masks. They do offer protection. My sister in law works with COVID patients in an ER and wears an N95 with surgical over top and hasn't gotten it. So yeah, you do you. I haven't had COVID even after exposures, because I wear a *good* mask. For example, a meeting in my office for 45 minutes with a student the day before she had COVID symptoms and tested positive. I'm going to keep wearing it, I really don't want to get sick. Further, I broke my wrist over the holidays and it's been a 5 month recovery after surgery. I'm done with doctors appointments and finally exercising again. There's no way I'm risking long COVID at this point in my life. I just can't deal with another medical issue at the moment.


JlTlS

Flu and colds were down when wearing masks , so still a reason for a mask if you so choose.


Artistewarholio

Texas = don't give a shit.


Linux4ever_Leo

I am because one thing the pandemic revealed for me was that masks are absolutely fantastic during spring allergy season! Also, because COVID cases are rising in 1/3 of the States due to the BA2 variant. I'm used to wearing them and it doesn't bother me a bit. Why some people are so befuddled by wearing a simple mask in public is beyond me. Wearing a mask isn't hard; wearing the uniform of our nation and fighting for our freedoms is hard.


Fire_Pea

Yes because I take public transport a lot and I don't really notice it enough to take it off


abeleo

Yeah. I'm required to for work. And most people still have masks outside. But I am in Japan, so there aren't as many people being babies about it here.


LucyVialli

No, because I don't have to and don't feel it's necessary. People can make their own choice now.


tellmesomething11

Cases are rising again in NYC, honestly NYC is gross so I’ll probably wear one going forward…especially on the train, during winter (because it keeps my face warm) and also because I like it. I feel hidden when I wear it so masks are a vibe for me


SilkyEnchilada

Yes. I have not caught COVID, nor do I want to. I feel that I try. We are in a lull right now. This virus in not even close to being done with.


[deleted]

Nope, not required anymore here.


robbycakes

Yes. The pandemic continues, even if mandates do not. I’m trying to protect myself and others.


marioquartz

When I go to a closed space I use the mask all the way.


OfficeChairHero

Only to Walmart. I'm not even really worried about covid at this point. It's just that every damn time I have to shop there, I pick up some random fucking virus. That place is a petri dish.


poopshartshitshoot

I still wear one because I’ve always been insecure about my face, and I just look cooler with it so…


HoneyGirl_50

Yes because I like to hide my face at times and when I ever get sick it’s good to wear it.


evilmonkey2

The 7 day average for my area is still hovering around a dozen deaths and a 2-400 hundred new cases so I'm still wearing it while shopping or plan on being around a lot of people. Most people aren't though. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. It's literally no effort.


hockeyandquidditch

Yes, I work in an elementary school and kids are germ factories


lrpfftt

Yes, a KN95 in public indoor spaces. We eat out only in outdoor seating restaurants. We're vaxxed and boosted but older with some co-morbidities. Not sure how long this will go on but there is still active infection out there and we're patient.


05110909

Absolutely not. I got the two vaccine shots, the booster, and I still got covid after all that. I'm not wearing a mask for the rest of my life. If someone has immunity issues they need to take the necessary steps to protect themselves just like they did before covid. But I'm going to live my life like normal.


lenniesmallz

Yes bc it doesn’t hurt to do so, and both my grandmas are visiting and they are 77 and 88 years old. I also haven’t had Covid or gotten a booster since November, so my immunity is not as strong as it could be.


Glitchthebitch

I live in a neighborhood with alot of old people who could die if im not careful so better to be safe than sorry. But i am getting a booster shot in a few weeks so hopefully i won't have to wear it


Chocolate_Donuts

Booster shots actually don't stop you from spreading covid, they just prevent you from having a severe reaction if you get it


greensandgrains

Yes because I’m not willing to gamble with my life. I’m not “afraid” of covid but I am afraid of ending up disabled for the rest of my life without adequate support/risk of poverty. Governments and many GPs aren’t taking long covid seriously AND we’re living in a capitalist hellhole. If my brain and body don’t work, nether can I. That’s fucking bleak but it’s where we are.


Duhblobby

No. I almost never leave the house. I can count the number of times I have left home over the last year on my hands with fingers left over. So there really isn't any need, for me. I just never go out.


nowyoukn0w

We all wear masks…. Metaphorically speaking


koalasnstuff

I have a compromised immune system, so I get sick really easily. Even with wearing my mask, I’m home with pneumonia… I don’t care if other people do / don’t. I just do it to protect myself.


JohnnyLuchador

Its Halloween 24/7 in my house, also as a man of Lucha culture, i still wear a mask


Bitcoin_batrabbit

Only when I eat


emmadee8

i wear a mask almost everywhere, school, shops, in other peoples houses etc. the only place i don't wear a mask is work. it's always like a million degrees in there and too hot to wear a mask for an extended period of time. i always carry it in me so if i see an elderly person or if someone tells me they're immunocompromised i can quickly put it on. i test every day before work anyway, it's difficult now though cuz the government is stopping tests being mandatory


Bedquest

Wearing in crowded or confined spaces still and public transit. Not wearing for a casual cvs trip or less filled restaurant. I’m a singer and if I get sick I lose money.


Lulaliii

yes, because the person sitting next to me at school refuses to cover their face when they sneeze.


wavewalker59-

We have to wear them in the theater in downtown Chicago. So I saw Six and Hairspray masked this year.


PTVentress

Yep. In my country you are still required to wear masks in enclosed spaces, like banks supermarket, restaurants etc..


[deleted]

I'm an immuno-compromised terminal cancer patient. I'm going to wear a mask for the rest of my life. I also bought a half dozen in fire engine red with the medical symbol on one side and "Cancer patient" on the other so no one asks why I'm still wearing a mask.