To mask or not to mask is still the question

To mask, or not to mask, that is the question. For 14 months of the pandemic, masks became a flash point. There have been inconsistent rules about when people needed to wear masks, varying by state, by school and by store. There have been protests against mask-wearing requirements, and some even built pyres to burn them in protest. Now, the federal government has told those who are vaccinated against the coronavirus that they no longer have to wear masks in most settings, even indoors. But still, many people continue to mask up. The rules have not changed in this building or in many others, although it is becoming more common to see restaurant and bar workers once again showing their smiles. Others, even though they are vaccinated, continue to mask up, and now those who don a mask are becoming targets of public ire. But how do we know who is vaccinated and who is not? For some, wearing a mask has simply become a habit, while others want to continue to do what they can to ensure their safety and the safety of others. It is possible mask wearing could become seasonal, or common in certain settings, like hospital visits. While they may be uncomfortable, you can’t deny their effectiveness. Thanks to mask wearing and hand sanitizing and social distancing, the flu and the common cold were practically non-existent this past year. For many, that is enough reason to continue to wear a mask, even though they are no longer required to do so.