Opinion: Are You Ready To Shed Your Face Mask? Many Are Not

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HARRY HURLEY OPINION - EDITORIAL

If you’re double vaccinated, are you going to still wear a face mask, even when and where it’s not required or recommended?

I suspect that many will.

We went to a very nice bakery during the Memorial Day Weekend.

We still have a few face masks in the car.

We left the car without a face mask. After taking just a few steps away from the car, I stated ... Should we wear a face mask?

Before even waiting for an answer, I said, “No,” it’s no longer required.

So, we went inside. There were about 20 people inside.

About 17 were wearing face masks. Only 3 were not. And, 2 of them were us!

No one said anything to us, although I did notice one inquisitive look ... I would call it just short of a “dirty” look.

Make no mistake about it, this is going to take some time.

Some people are going to keep wearing a face mask. For a variety of reasons.

Force of habit.
Fear.
Not wanting a confrontation for not wearing one.
Not vaccinated yet.
Some legitimately believe that despite the science, being vaccinated or otherwise, that it is the responsible thing to do.
Some like the idea. They feel they’ll avoid colds, flu, etc. if they stay masked.

I talked with someone over the weekend who said that they will always wear a face mask on a plane going forward.

Other cultures around the world have regularly worn face masks for generations.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, most Americans looked at this as quite odd and didn’t understand it.

We do now, after learning it the hard way.

Schools at all levels, here and around the country will be requiring students to wear face masks in order to be allowed in the classroom this Fall.

The continued use of face masks agitates many.

However, do not expect the use of them to stop cold turkey. It’s going to take some time.

And, for many, they’re no where near ready to discard their face masks.

NOTE: We can’t ignore that regrettably, there is a political component to the issue of wearing face masks. Democrats are much more likely to wear one versus a Republican.

I have always thought this was so stupid.

Also, Democrats are much more likely to be vaccinated versus Republicans.

Even a deadly pandemic didn’t cause our equally (politically) divided nation to take a pause from the current political “Civil War.”