Yet, not everybody is ready to ditch their N95s.
Some people are immunocompromised, and there are rising cases of COVID infections in certain parts of the world from newly discovered variants–which is enough of a reason for people to still cover up to protect themselves and from infecting others.
Curious to hear from strangers online, Redditor -Omegamart- asked:
"Are you still wearing a mask in public? Why or why not?"
Wearing masks has become convenient for reasons you would totally expect.
The Perfect Cover UP
"I wear one to school because I have a nose ring and we're not allowed to have nose rings lol."
– firesidepoet
For The Insecure
"Without a mask I'm just ugly. With a mask I'm mysterious."
– Whole-Recover-8911
Grants Personal Space
"I have an average face, but terrifying/alluring serial killer eyes.... The mask gets me my own personal space without effort."
"The wife says I have the dead eyes of a shark..."
– escape1979uk
Joy Of Anonymity
"Went into a restaurant for pick up a few weeks ago. Saw a couple of people I knew but didn't want to talk to. I was wearing a hat, glasses and a mask. They didn't recognize me at all. Easy to avoid them."
– agreeingstorm9
Still Under Construction
"I am going through getting dental bridges so its a nice way to hide half-broken teeth."
– aBadBug
These people wear masks for the reason why the mandate was instituted in the first place.
For Safety
"Yes. My wife is immunocompromised as she is a transplant patient so I don't want to pass anything on to her."
– SirGreenDragon
Out Of Respect
"My youngest is a PTA. So many of her very young patients had Covid. She herself had RSV when she was three months old and was hospitalized. We still wear mask in public because of those that couldn't survive this virus that hasn't gone away."
– TaterMA
It's Still Risky
"I wear a mask because I interact with a lot of people every day and I don't know which ones are immunocompromised and do not want to take the risk of getting them sick."
"Why does that anger some people?"
– sharkira
It's Been Proven Effective
"I'm the type of guy that gets bad colds every summer and winter. I haven't had one in over two years since wearing a mask."
"Also a fair number of my neighbours are high-risk; even if I don't come down with 'it' (even if I'm all jabbed and boosted), I'd rather not pass 'it' on to them."
– neohylanmay
Never Again
"I stopped for a while. I got Covid this week. I am triple vaxxed and healthy and it knocked me on my a**. I’m masking from now on for two reasons."
- "I want to avoid getting Covid again, it sucked."
- "if it was that bad for me, I can’t imagine what it would be like for people more physically vulnerable. I want to reduce the spread to lower the risk for everyone."
– Astuary-Queen
Still In A Pandemic
"I wear one in public because covid isn't gone, people are still catching it, people see still dying or having to live with long covid and I fall into a vulnerable category. I don't trust others to do the right thing (isolate if positive) so I look after myself."
– LaraH39
It's Second Nature
"It's become a habit (I often put it on when I'm outside)."
"I work at a fast food restaurant."
"People won't talk to me as often."
– stinkylooloo89
With the TSA announcing they have gotten rid of the mask requirement on air travel, I'm still be wearing a mask.
I'm vaccinated, boosted, and I don't have an underlying medical condition that makes me vulnerable to infection, but wearing a mask on planes gives me a peace of mind somehow.
I've also gotten so used to wearing them as I've flown a lot, cautiously, during the pandemic, that boarding a plane without one would somehow make me feel naked.
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Redditor So-CalledClown wanted to hear from the people who had issues with the facts about Covid and the election.
They asked:
"People who believed Covid was a conspiracy against Trump and that it would disappear once Trump leaves; how do you feel about that conspiracy now?"
I'm biased—I'm going to get my third shot next week.
COVID isn't a conspiracy, it's real.
And deadly.
Keep Moving
"That was just another goalpost they moved. Covid would go away after Easter, then Summer, then the election, then the new year, etc etc." ~ TheMicMic
Giphy"deep state"
"Not that I'm going to claim any conspiracy theory as fact. But the way I saw it (if it were gonna be true) is that there seems to be a 'deep state' group that isn't just made up of people from one country. And there were funds to the lab in China to create this virus and it wasn't released on accident."
"And the vaccine is actually a form of population control. I don't have a link as proof or anything but I've had several different people tell me that Bill Gates is funding the vaccine and he said years ago that the easiest solution to population control would be a vaccine." ~ whyohwhy3465
Big Events
"Alright I'll be the one... so I didn't think it was against Trump I just thought it was the next big thing for the new president to solve, just like any other. There's either a war to start or a war to end or SOME big event that comes oddly enough just before elections so I did think this was going to blow over after the election, and now I can only honestly say that my life and any around me have not changed, not denying anything simply observing my reality."
"After the lock downs and crap were lifted I never saw a change and even during the lockdowns my daily life never changed. Still got up every morning and went to work (construction) and came home to my family. Feel free to comment I'm not here to argue just stating a point of view, and welcome any additions to that." ~ workbear66
requirements...
"Some people think that COVID is now an excuse for the government to take power and limit liberty. The government is now requiring vaccines. What will they require next? If we (patriots) don't stand up to this, it might be too late to stand up to further encroachments on liberty."
"So, it might not exist (or might not be as serious as it's made out to be), but by emphasizing the seriousness of it, the liberals can use the crisis to remove our liberties. (I don't believe this, but I've heard similar things on conservative radio)." ~ egnowit
Believers...
"I work at a library. Pretty sure I’ve seen books go out on the subject. They still believe. Some people think now that the Democrats created the virus to kill only Republicans. Truth is more republicans aren’t vaxxed." ~ iesharael
GiphyThese Low Effort Jobs Have Surprisingly High Salaries | George Takei’s Oh Myyy
Have you ever worked one of those jobs that paid you to kinda sit there? If you have, you know the joy that comes with watching the entirety of Breaking Bad ...Do we even have news channels anymore?
Or is everything just an opinion show?
The Set-Up
"It was more nuanced than that. It was the complete shut downs that they said were to make Trump look bad because it would tank the economy." ~ Eric_Partman
GiphyA's & B's...
"I genuinely wanna know like how corrupted American's news are that some doesn't even seem to believe the national news channel." ~ lip_tong
"Basically, different people have different biases and will believe the news station that caters to them. Because their new source say A, they wont believe the news source that says B. During the last presidency, the president and his party were contradicting medical experts. It was very messy, but people who were with the president stopped believing the medical experts." ~ So-CalledClown
Not about us!
"I can’t quite work out why so many people think it’s all about the US. It affects the whole world and many countries were affected before US. Neither the virus or the vaccine started in the US. Having said that, I don’t live there, so I don’t meet your 'interesting characters.'" ~ Significant_Return_2
No Logic Needed!!
"Likely they’ll double down and believe even harder. Seems to be how conspiracy theorists work. Logic and critical thoughts don’t seem to play much of a role. I mean, they went to Dallas earlier this year because they thought JFK, Jr was going to come back from the dead and appoint trump president. So, my guess is, in order to protect their beliefs they’ve already adjusted their conspiracy to allow for the discrepancy." ~ ByGrabthar
Neverending...
"The conspiracy I was hearing more about was COVID coming to an end if Trump remained in office but if Biden took the throne, then he or the administration would prolong it and keep it an ongoing process as it is right now. So that part still holds up." ~ rw032697
GiphyWe got receipts...
"The goalposts have moved. Now it is a virus created by Fauci and China, funded by the Dems to kill conservatives. There's definitive proof that the red states are hit harder and more conservatives have died than libs, despite eating a tremendous amount of horse paste." ~ RedWindArt
The Business of it all...
"The myth that needs to be adjusted is businessmen being the most qualified public servants. It's a completely different skillset. A businessman is a salesman. He is especially good at convincing people they need what he has. Then he provides that at the most efficient way he can."
"To a businessman a functional and healthy labor force is an expense, not an asset. It is a cost that needs to be minimized. A public servant sees the need and is given limited resources to prioritize finding ways to meet those needs. Despite what anyone else says, in the US, the need is to channel resources into supporting commerce."
"A significant part of that is providing a qualified, healthy workforce to businesses. To the country at large that workforce is an asset that needs to be nurtured. Where Covid broke we had a businessman in charge when we needed a public servant."
"Somewhere along the line we became convinced that we were spending too much to support commerce, that that expense was a personal responsibility not a public one. We are still in the middle of that conflict, and Covid is an inconvenient reminder that there are definitely issues that are bigger than commerce." ~ forebill
Brain Dead
"They still think it is... If you really want to lose a few brain cells just look at any post in the conservatives subreddit." ~ geak78
keanu reeves woah face GIFGiphyRising Up
"They don’t care. They still protest in my town weekly. Well not this week because it’s raining. Just because masks = apartheid doesn’t mean they’re worth mild discomfort to get rid of, apparently… especially to people who definitely never said a word against actual apartheid." ~ 49thPercentile
Abolishment...
"Things like this are why I'm been promoting the abolishment of political Governments for a long time. Governments should be science and fact based. The fact that politicians can promote dangerous falsehoods and hide behind 'freedom of speech' is such a big problem."
"Governments are responsible for the people they govern. Misinformation should never have been released from any government person or establishment. They should be held to higher regard and punishments should be much more severe when in a position of power/influence." ~ Rogaar
Warped
"This theory doesn’t make sense. During a time of crisis, the president usually receives stronger support, and 'operation warp speed' should have gained votes for whoever is in office when it became successful." ~ banditk77
"If he had had the capacity to go full on statesman and dealt with COVID like something resembling an adult, I am somewhat convinced he could have won the election. Scary as that might be." ~ bombmk
Gravy Lovers
"I don't think it was a conspiracy against Trump. But it's pretty clear a lot of politicians took advantage of it for their own purposes (for ex, 'stimulus bills' that fund their pet projects), so they don't want the gravy train to end." ~ IBeTrippin
After the election...
"I don't think most of them thought the virus would literally cease to exist, just that it would stop being a big deal and not get as much coverage after the election. And that if the 'two week' lockdown restrictions were lifted before the election, the economy would start to recover and help Trump win." ~ Simply_An_Owl
Trump was the issue...
"I find it funny that people would think that something that virtually started out across the world (giving their own country plenty of time to shield itself) was a conspiracy against them. If covid is a conspiracy, it'd be against China. If you ask me, i thought the conspiracy was Trump." ~ rainbow_beret
I can't believe that this is where we still are.
Here is to a better 2022!
Stay safe people.
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Curious to hear why strangers would volunteer to wear a face covering, Redditor VerySlump asked:
"What’s a non-covid reason that you like wearing a mask for?"
Some people like that masks are a partial disguise.
Hiding Idiosyncrasies
"Whenever I’m concentrating or working on a task I tend to stick my tongue out or leave my mouth open and I really like it when people don’t see that."
– Conscious_Fondant634
What Loose Skin?
"Covers my double chin."
– Catlover2727
"Made me realize the top half of my face looks gooood. Chin waddle not so much."
– Unique-Drawer-7845
Covering Pimples
"Hides my acne."
– gabrielcutler21
"Thank you! A few years ago this tailgating lady confronted me and called me a druggie and I assume it was because of my acne and it really took the wind out of me. I really don't look like a methany... I hope?"
– shewholaughslasts
Self-Consciousness
"It hides my teeth."
– salmonsensual_69
"Same! Overbite checking in. I am considering getting braces while wearing a mask is still a thing."
– Blijerd
It's A Look
"Black mask goes hard with my outfit and hairstyle."
– pineapple_boiii
Half The Effort
"Don’t have to put on a full face of makeup. Fill in my eyebrows, put on mascara and I’m good!"
– tofueggs
Some prefer masks as a block from social stigmas.
Leaving A Shadow
"Nobody notices if I didn't shave."
– paulfromatlanta
These Low Effort Jobs Have Surprisingly High Salaries | George Takei’s Oh Myyy
Have you ever worked one of those jobs that paid you to kinda sit there? If you have, you know the joy that comes with watching the entirety of Breaking Bad ...For The Introvert In All Of Us
"Allergies, and so I can ignore people."
– FightingBlaze77
"Took awhile before I found someone saying they can ignore people. For me it's more of I can fly under the radar of people I know. Sunglasses mask combo is complete anonymity!"
– deepdalecobra
Protection From Olfactory Assault
"Nasty smell in subway."
– ChristianaDarkness
"I agree. Smells in general."
– butterandsaltforever
Masks Make Me Look Attractive
"When this all started I noticed women making eye contact with me more than normal. The I figured it out, I'm a 6 foot tall guy in decent shape, nice hair, and a face like a chimpanzee. With the mask I look like I could be attractive."
– AUSTRALIA_IS_MADE_UP
Talking To Myself
"I can talk to myself without people seeing my mouth move."
– Weak_suicide
Workout Performance
"Same. I can 'lip sync' along to my Spotify while at gym and no one can see 😂"
– ChenzyHouse
Warmth
"I was in New York a month ago (I live in Florida). It wasn’t cold enough for New Yorkers to wear scarfs yet, but it felt like it to me because I live in the south. So wearing a face mask was a handy way to warm my face without looking like a tourist lol."
– selfmade117
Viral pathogens aren't the only things floating in the air that can wreak havoc when entered through your nasal cavity.
When The Pollen Count Is High
"I have pollen allergies, mask helps a TON."
– UnclePiccolo
Outfit For Lawn Mowing
"I wore a mask to cut my grass due to bad grass/weed allergies before Covid and now I wonder if my neighbors think I’m just insane wearing a mask cutting the grass now."
– Escalante81
A Shield For All Occasions
"I haven't had a cold for nearly 2 years IT'S BEEN AMAZING"
– fluffofthewild
Extra Protection
"I'm a fresh heart transplant patient and I'm required to wear one in public for the first year. Not strictly COVID, but literally any pissbaby infection that most anyone can shrug off could kill me at this stage. 🤷♂️"
– MikoRiko
When I was a kid, I always found it unusual that people in Japan always wore masks out in public.
No one bats an eye.
Turns out they were on to something. Many cultures outside the U.S. have employed the use of masks to prevent the spreading of the cold or flu or other infectious pathogens way before COVID-19 wreaked global havoc.
It's nothing for them in endeavoring to protect others and themselves from a nasty bug.
Personally, wearing masks actually trained me not to rub my nose in public, which is how I've been prone to getting sick in the past when my hands weren't always clean. So even if I don't have to, I wear one to make remind me that I don't have an itchy nose.
What are your non-pandemic reasons for wearing a mask?
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