The CDC suggests that we have progressed far enough to begin new regulations regarding COVID-19 prevention, even suggesting that we have begun the transition from pandemic to epidemic. This could lead to a drastic change on a federal level regarding mask mandates. I must forego my saltiness towards Tennessee's governor regarding our lack of mask mandates. Luckily, his jurisdiction ends at the airport, where federal regulations take over and masks are required. For now.
I read the article below, and it led me to this topic. Are we safe enough to remove the federal mask mandate for travelers? Honestly, my answer is no, and I think that spawns from a shift in mindset since the pandemic. Keep in mind, many other countries, most notably those in Asia, already encouraged the use of masks for those who were sickly well before the current pandemic. I do not believe myself to be alone in finding comfort in wearing masks in crowded areas surrounded by strangers. If we were to remove our Federal mask mandate on travel, it would be all too easy for Americans to take off their masks and proceed to cough, sneeze, and breathe the same air as the hundred other strangers they are traveling with. Does this thought make you as uncomfortable as it does me? Cause yuck. Think about it, we still have an....uncomfy amount of unvaccinated people and the largest amount of transfer is within that group.
Perhaps I'm on my soapbox for no reason, but I think I'll continue to wear my mask in condensed spaces and definitely if I have the sniffles. The pandemic has made an antisocial out of me and I have no regrets.
What are your thoughts? Has the pandemic changed how you view social interactions? Have you traveled during the pandemic? Are you pro-mask?
https://www.wkrn.com/community/health/coronavirus/cdc-expected-to-issue-new-guidance-on-masks/
The pandemic has definitely changed the way I look at crowds, so I'm glad you brought this topic up! I remember walking into a class last semester on the first day and it being completely packed. I felt really uncomfortable, especially since many were not wearing masks. The room was set up in a way that we were shoulder to shoulder with no space in between. Even when I watch something on television, if it shows a large crowd, I'll be like, "I'm glad I'm not there." Maybe I was always like this and the pandemic just exacerbated these feelings. I think a big issue is that when COVID cases go down, some people are like, let's do away with mask mandates. One of the reasons cases lessen is due to these restrictions though.
ReplyDeleteGreat point at the end. It's not a coincidence that everytime we loosen regulations regarding preventative measures (social distancing, mask mandates, etc.) we generally see an uptick in cases. It's not a coincidence, but it's happened multiple times, and each time people seem shocked.
DeleteI'm going to be reluctant to be unmasked in a crowd for quite some time, I think. My wife sent me out to pick up dinner at a local hotspot the other night, it was packed with unmasked patrons--not just those dining--and I couldn't wait to get out of there.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I get to go the airport Friday morning, where I'll be crossing my fingers that none of the aggressively-unmasked creates a dangerous incident.
I think the main point of anti-maskers stems from their understanding (or lack there of) of how masks work. The virus is .05-.2 microns, whereas most masks can confidently block down to .3 microns. What is misunderstood is how the virus attaches itself to larger particles that spread.
ReplyDeleteIt is strange how we go from sitting 6 feet apart from everyone in the terminal to be packed like sardines in the aircraft. makes you think.
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/12/28/flight-attendants-cdc-airline-quarantine-change-526213
I'm seeing more and more people without mask. For me, I didn't wear the mask because I had to but so I could protect myself and those around me. Wearing a mask will probably be something I will continue to do until I feel safe to not do so.
ReplyDeleteI think it's going to take a long time for me to be comfortable with not wearing masks in crowded places.
ReplyDeleteI did travel to India last summer and I was actually comfortable because there were still mandates where a negative covid test (regardless of if you were vaccinated or not) was required along with wearing masks during the entire flight.