Atlantic: 4 Reasons I'm Wearing a Mask Again

[Pobeka]

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/07/fully-vaccinated-masking-delta/619532/

Really well done article, worth the in depth read.

1. I don’t want to get COVID-19.

Let me be clear: My chances of getting sick are low, very low, especially if I’m thinking about the disease in its worst forms. The vaccines are spectacularly effective at blocking COVID-19, particularly cases that lead to hospitalization or death, even when squaring off with Delta and other antibody-dodging variants. I expect this to hold true for some time: These vaccines were tested primarily for their power to curb deadly illness, and that’s what they’re accomplishing against every version of the coronavirus they face.

But no vaccine is perfect. Some immunized people will end up infected with the virus; a small subset of this group will fall ill, occasionally severely so.
...

2. I don’t want people around me to get COVID-19.

If I get infected, that affects more than just me. I worry about the strangers I encounter—many of them maskless—whose immune status I don’t know. I worry about the youngest kids in my social network, who aren’t yet eligible for shots, and the elderly and immunocompromised, whose defenses may be weaker than mine.
...

3. I trust the vaccines, but I understand their limits.

My pivot back to masks says nothing about my continued confidence in the vaccines and what they’re capable of. But although vaccines are an excellent tool, they are also an imperfect one, and they’ll perform differently depending on the context in which they’re used.

[rickyhall]

1. I'm still wearing my mask indoors with people.

I still wear goggles when using a grinder, a mask/helmet when welding, a helmet when riding my bobber or my bike and seat belts when driving my truck.

[Deep State Witch]

2. And #4

I don't trust people anymore.

[Ms. Toad]

3. Excellent -

It's what a lot of us on DU have been saying, wrapped up in a nice, eloquent package with a national audience.

[Solly Mack]

4. I haven't stopped wearing one.

I wear one to go shopping. I still stay as far away from people as possible. I do not go out to eat. My house is a not fully vaccinated/not wearing a mask/then no entry kind of home.

Low vaccination rate in my Parish/State.

I simply don't trust people to do the right thing for themselves or other people.

Not yet, anyway. And I may never.

[peppertree]

9. +1

Same here - and for the very same reasons.

Once in a while, I'll get a dirty look. I just keep walking, and think: you'll remember in September.

Because by then, most states and counties (except de Satan's Flawrida and a few others) will be under indoor mask orders again - the way things are going.

[Solly Mack]

10. People say stupid things to me and I smile. They have a lot of fear in their voice.

They don't hear it but I do. Their tone is strident and they appear angry and mocking but anger is often times hurt or fear masking itself as anger.

My wearing an actual mask challenges them. It shouldn't and it certainly isn't intended as a challenge but they can't see that - because of the choices they've made and feel they must now defend - even when no one is asking them to defend them.

I go about my business, all smiles.

People are whistling past the graveyard - sadly, it is turning out to be their own graves.

[peppertree]

11. 'Fear masking itself as anger'

Couldn't think of a better metaphor for these times.

[Skittles]

5. these are actually reasons to have never stopped masking

indeed

[StarryNite]

6. I never stopped masking.

For awhile I did stop double masking. However, I'm back to double masking again. And I ordered more N95 masks that I will be wearing instead of the layered cloth with filters and a Level 3 surgical mask underneath. I think the N95 masks will be more protective. We still haven't had anyone in our home since March 2020 and that includes our adult kids and our grandson.

[pazzyanne]

8. Same on all points! nt

[Withywindle]

7. I never stopped either

I am going out more - to outdoor concerts, parks, restaurants with outdoor seating on occasion. The isolation was killing me and I'm glad I can see friends again. But I still have a piece of fabric on my face, which I'm now used to and it doesn't feel like any kind of burden anymore. It's a fashion accessory. I have a lot of cool ones. I don't scream and shout about my RIGHT to not wear one, because wearing one is just not at all a big deal.

People in Asia have been wearing them on public transit and other crowded places for years now. I used to see people wearing them on the el in Chicago and think, "tourist." But if it becomes more of a cultural norm here, that's fine. Will probably help cut down on colds and flu too. I don't think that's a bad thing at all.

[Texaswitchy]

12. I never stopped.

To many without the shot.