Will masks become the 'new normal' even after the pandemic has passed? Some Americans say so

[Klaralven]

Mandy Elmore, 47, has been wearing masks for more than 20 years. That’s because she has cystic fibrosis, a hereditary disease that affects her lungs and digestive system.

Because of her illness, a cold or flu can land her in the hospital. Prior to the pandemic, Elmore, who lives in Dallas, Texas, had to stop going to church or traveling on planes to avoid strangers coughing and sneezing directly on her.

“Masks offer freedom for those of us who are sick,” she said. “I would feel comfortable going to church in the winter or to movies or to birthday parties if people could think about those like me who truly suffer as a result of a simple cold virus.”

For millions of Americans like Elmore, it would change their lives for the better if it became more of a cultural norm in the U.S. for people to wear masks when they’re under the weather or in crowded areas. The West has stigmatized mask-wearing, but in countries like Japan or South Korea, residents might get dirty looks if they hop on a subway with a sniffle and no mask.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/24/will-masks-become-the-new-normal-even-after-the-pandemic-has-passed-some-americans-say-so-.html

[PTWB]

1. I plan to wear one even after COVID just to irritate the MAGAs.

[luv2fly]

13. First thing I thought too

Safety yes, but certainly as an irritant to the anti-maskers, just

'cuz

I

can.

[LisaL]

2. I am not sure when this pandemic is going to pass.

So I guess we will be wearing masks for a long time to come.

[JCMach1]

3. Seeing what Covid did to my.lungs, I am wearing a mask indefinitely

Since even a cold could give me serious lung issues

[SoonerPride]

4. I know in Asian countries the public wears them in flu season.

Like everyone.

I intend to keep wearing masks in public spaces in flu season even if and when the pandemic is in the rear view mirror.

It’s just the smart and polite thing to do.

[moonscape]

5. I had a vented Vogmask I

wore during flu outbreaks when in crowded places, like the grocery store, because of my compromised immune system. At least people will be familiar enough that I’ll no longer get looks once most are no longer masked.

[LisaL]

7. Vogmasks also sells non vented ones.

I have one that I wear now. I could keep wearing them even after pandemic is over (if it happens any time soon).

[moonscape]

16. Yes, I bought a few once they were

available. Before covid they were vented and had so many amazing, fun print choices . They’ve really been slammed but love their great-fitting qulity masks. My favorite.

[LisaL]

17. They are now getting more prints again.

NT

[NRaleighLiberal]

6. my wife and I were just discussing this topic doing errands on Saturday

We have masks in both of our vehicles, and hanging near the door in our home. My wife is a quilter and has been making masks - we have eggplant masks, blueberry masks, mine are tomato masks.

I do the shopping and have been going to the grocery store masked since early March. I've learned to modify my breathing so that my glasses no longer steam up. We wear them at the Saturday Farmers Market.

Being in our mid 60s, we think that masks indeed will, for many, become part of their lives. We are just fine with it, if we can prevent anything we have impacting others, and it blocks what others have from impacting us.

[samnsara]

9. ..my great nephew who is 3 has a mask..it will be 'normal' for him!

[samnsara]

8. i love them..I have a collection of about 50 now!..BUT.....

....i dont wear them enough to be able to fully function with one on. I only go out into public once a week for less than an hour. I feel they are such a distraction that I cant think! I literally just stumble with my words and thoughts. Actually its like when I first got my Invisalines. My hubby on the other hand is a Pharmacist and has worn one all day from day one.


It takes time to master them but I do like the fact it hides all my wrinkles and sags.

(the guy at the tire store flirted with me the other day...and I'm 70!)

[Laffy Kat]

10. I feel naked without one.

It's like getting in your car and forgetting to fasten your seatbelt, you know something doesn't feel right. I can't see myself not wearing one in public from here on out. I probably have a good twenty to twenty-five years left and I suspect I will wear one in public for the duration.

[Ace Rothstein]

11. Highly unlikely.

People can't wait to get back to the pre-COVID normal. I also look at Australia where they packed the stadium for the AFL Grand Final this weekend with no mask wearing.

[LisaL]

14. I plan to wear them even after covid is over (if that ever happens).

Especially in high risk situation. And if nobody else wears them, I can wear my valved ones.

[tirebiter]

12. Only in banks.

Along with my hoody.

[JI7]

15. In Japan people already wore them before if they had a cold

It was done out of respect for others . Even though it wasn't a serious life threatening thing they would still wear it if they some illness which could infect others.

I think a few things like hand washing and hand sanitizer should become a norm. I usually get a cold at least once each year when the weather turns from warm to cold . I'm hoping I can avoid it this time around with things i'm doing to prevent Covid.

[LisaL]

18. I've been using hand sanitizer even before covid.

I get flu once a year in the cold climate (didn't get it at all for years while living in warmer climate). This winter was the first time I didn't get the flu in the cold climate. Hand sanitizer? Add a mask on top of hand sanitizer and I think one could avoid the flu.

[roamer65]

19. I have one on the way that's black with a white biohazard sign on the front.

I’m gonna have some fun with that one.



I hope it freaks anti-maskers out.

[caraher]

20. I think COVID will have several behavioral effects

In my own case, I just got a flu shot this week, which I always used to skip, reasoning that even if I did get the flu I'd probably just be sick for a while and recover.

What COVID made me realize is that whether I would be OK isn't the main story. I got a shot to protect the people I meet, family members, etc. (Or would meet if I were going anywhere... but I digress.) It's about the good of others, not just my own health, which is obvious in retrospect. But we so rarely see decisions presented in terms other than personal self-interest.

[tenderfoot]

21. if I have a cold I may wear one

eom

[TeamPooka]

22. I'm a mask guy for life now. I like them.

[PatrickforO]

23. I intend to keep wearing a mask in public places. You bet.

I'm in a high-risk group, and it is simply common sense.

[yuiyoshida]

24. japan

Link to tweet

[peacebuzzard]

25. Yes it will for many, myself included

My job involved heavy travel on flights. I have not traveled extensively since March, when I do I will be all suited up with PPE. On normal errands I will always be a masker.

[mopinko]

26. i'm optimistic that the cold weather

is going to lead to more ppl wearing them, at least here in chicago.
i tried to tell ppl when it was hot out that if they got them wet they would cool them off. but...

[RobinA]

27. This American

says, Not a chance. I wear my mask because I have to, but don’t intend to wear it one gasping, foggy glasses minute longer than I have to.

[Initech]

28. As soon as this is finally over, I'm burning mine.

This pandemic has sucked more than anything that has sucked, and I don't want any reminders of it.

[Codeine]

29. I only have to shave once a week now.

Silver linings!