I'm really split about mask usage.
Daily new infections & active cases seem to be going down despite mask mandates being phased out.
Almost everyone had their chance of getting vaccinated by now and since Covid-19 is endemic, everyone will get it at some point but thanks to vaccines you're less likely to die from it. Then there's the uncertainty about the risk of long covid symptoms.
I also get that trust in the governemt(s) is at a new low right now.
What am I missing? I welcome new perspectives on this.
When would be the right time to stop wearing masks?
I'm not advocating for social darwinism here and the vulnerable shouldn't be put in harms way for the sake of comfort.
If I go into a big store I'll wear a mask, I'll continue wearing it in public transport for now but I just don't see the need to wear it in a small café where no one's wearing a mask unless I'd be aware of some previous high-risk contact - but then I wouldn't enter a café anyways.
@dictvm We might definitely live in different places, so the mileage may vary. I relate a lot with your thought and I would focus more on the vaccination instead.
@dictvm To add on this, masks can be voluntary. Each one will have its experience with them and definitely it isn't a beautiful thing to use when working on a store, for example. I would still use it, but that is my thought.
Now, vaccination is way more important. Since I started vaccinating against influenza each year, the rainy season became tolerable. I believe it is way more effective than relying solely on mask usage.
@dictvm tolerance for them is understandably super low (among those that understand their utility i mostly mean). My guidance would be wear it as much as your mental health allows…mileage per-person will continue to vary. Wearing it can help others choose to do the same.
@specter@eattherich.club @dictvm@chaos.social masks have a lot of utility: keeping your face warm, reducing allergy symptoms, protecting from common airborne pathogens. it was made into a covid thing and a big deal, but its just normal now 🙂
@xjix @specter but it's summer, my face is already warm. I have cats and a really minor cat hair allergy so I often have a tiny hair in my nose from the mask. Apart from the flu/cold/covid19 we don't have that many pathogens flying around right now.
I'll definitely keep a package of masks lying around for flu/cold seasons in the future and I imagine that there might be a new strain in autumn that might lead to new mandates & possibly lockdowns.
I'm fully aware that there are vulnerable groups and that not all kids have been vaccinated yet.
Do we know how long it would take until *everyone* would've had their chance to get vaccinated?