Here I am at my local Co-op today without a mask! This is the first time in 15 months! I was so much more relaxed today. It was an amazing feeling to just "be" again without impedimenta. The new "rule" is that if you are vaccinated, you don't have to wear a mask. I saw many people still wearing them, but it was Senior Day (which happens once a month when those over 65 get 10% off) and perhaps older people may have medical conditions or live with someone who does and they do not want to take a chance. Some of the store people wore them and others didn't. 75% of the employees have been vaccinated so maybe those were the ones who haven't had the shot yet. Anyhow, it was just the best feeling!
We see the same thing Nan, some still wearing masks in stores (including most employees) but it's optional. We have only been wearing them for doctor's appointments as required. I would still wear in a large or crowded mixed age group of individuals I did not know but, we avoid those kinds of places still. It does feel great.
ReplyDeleteOur government announced that masks are soon to be no longer compulsory but left to individual choice, which has started a huge debate about whether to wear one or not. I go to so few places where masks might be deemed necessary that I'll probably wear one for the peace of mind of others.
ReplyDeleteThis is happening in the UK from Monday week - I'm not sure how I feel about it, though, as we have quite high infection rates where I am. It's being left to personal choice but I'm going to see how much abuse I get (I got yelled at early on in the lockdowns for wearing one). I hope things stay calm where you are and everyone is able to make the choices they feel comfortable with.
ReplyDeleteI put our stock of masks away for now. I kept out only two, just in case. Feels good to be beyond that stage.
ReplyDeleteIt took me a while to get used to not wearing a mask - and being around maskless people - again, but after a month or so of doing it, I don't think about it much anymore. In fact, the people still wearing masks are the ones who catch my eye now. Life is just so much better now, when I think about it, that it's hard to remember just how terribly restricted it was for so long. Texas is still having around 1000 new cases per day...but we are big enough a state that that number doesn't seem to have much impact on daily life anymore. Right or wrong, it would be hard to force people to mask up again to the extent they did before, so I hope that doesn't become necessary.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the return to a bit of normality. You've earned it!
As LyzzyBee said, infection rates here in the UK are still very high. And while I'm happy for restrictions to come to an end in a couple of weeks and for those who don't want to wear masks not to, I will probably continue to do so in small shops and maybe even the supermarket. Peter is high risk with his heart condition and diabetes plus his two weeks in hospital last year with pneumonia. I know we're both double-jabbed but you can still get Covid and still become quite ill and I can't take that risk with him.
ReplyDeleteWe're still wearing masks here inside shops, on public transport and everywhere else where we can not keep enough distance to others. I am fine with that; it saved us from the usual wave of flus and colds last winter.
ReplyDeleteAlso, of course, our vaccinating campaign is still not as far advanced as yours, so we'll probably have mandatory masks in place for some time to come.
You look lovely and happy in that picture!
This is great. I know that feeling.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a wonderful feeling?! I'm still wearing a mask when I go grocery shopping, but when we were visiting family and friends, we went maskless.
ReplyDeleteHi Nan! (Waving at you from Florida). My husband & I ate vaccinated, both 65, we wear a mask of the business request it. I can say that I haven’t had a cold in over a year so, that was a bonus!
ReplyDeleteWe always carry a mask with us but we have stopped wearing our masks most of the time. And we still do a lot of visiting outdoor. I made my husband buy an 'umbrella' for the iron table out in the garden. Very hospitable.
ReplyDeleteI had my first full day of work in the children's room of a local library today and I have to admit I am glad they are still requiring masks inside for anyone over 2. It is weird, however, to do my special friendly librarian smile and realize no one can see it! Standing up all day (except when I gratefully took my hour long lunch break) was exhausting! I am about to go lie on the couch for a while!
ReplyDeleteFreedom! Bit different in UK, I will still wear mine in the supermarket and on trains but hopefully things will improve!
ReplyDeleteI will still wear a mask when I am out and about and even if I visit family. That virus keeps trying to adapt, I don't trust it.
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