I wonder if there will come a time we (folks who have recieved all Covid vaccines) won't have to wear masks anymore?

[Peregrine Took]

We are relatively healthy seniors.

Thanks.

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240301/Latest-COVID-19-booster-halves-risk-of-moderate-or-severe-disease-in-adults.aspx

[MiHale]

1. Haven't worn a mask in quite a while...

Even at my doctors, the hospital, health department it’s voluntary. Northern Michigan. This area even tho conservative is filled with seniors that aren’t stupid. Of course there’s always some. Our county has a great vaccine completion stats.

[walkingman]

2. Very few people where I live wear them now. We do and I see some store employees also.

I wear them simply because it has become a habit and not any trouble and I don't really want to get sick or take a change on getting sick....so why not. From what I read it does help cut down on you possibly getting the flu or even covid - who knows but not much effort so we do it or at least try to remember to do it.

The one thing that I still am leery of is visitors at home. I worry about who comes over to visit, especially in confined quarters - maybe some paranoia but I do think about it.

[Backseat Driver]

5. You wore one for others then; now, especially if you may be immunocompromised by age or illness,

wear a mask for yourself when public shopping or on other public errands/appointments as a barrier to any strong endemic respiratory virus. Enjoy health and choice!

[SarahD]

3. Very few masks here in my area.

As the other responses say, only a few people wear masks. They are not required, even in my medical clinic.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. It's long past the time we all need to wear masks.

Especially if relatively healthy.

[mitch96]

7. I'm seeing more people my age (geezer) wearing masks in food stores and big box stores..nt

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

9. This 75 year old likewise sees many

a geezer wearing a mask.

If you feel you should, then wear one. It's that simple.

[hlthe2b]

6. In really crowded indoor settings for extended duration of time, the risk is still there-- as it would be.

for transmission of any respiratory virus. So, if contracting any respiratory "bug" is a concern for you, even a cold, take that into account. But for short durations and in settings that are not crowded and do not require you to be within very close proximity to others for considerable time, the risk for COVID-19 or flu transmission is comparably low. That's why I do my grocery shopping right at opening (6AM) so that I can avoid masking--even though I am exceedingly cautious because of my patients--who are at high risk.

If you are not personally at particularly high risk, health-wise, and do not care for or interact closely with those who are (and are fully vaccinated including all available boosters), then you can probably start to step down your masking precautions a tad--as described. You probably are best to determine your own risk, depending on the types of indoor settings you frequent and how adverse you are to possibly contracting even a mild respiratory "bug."

Fortunately, the variants in the past year have not been particularly virulent and hospitalizations are way down. As long as that remains the case, that justifies loosening precautions--as CDC has just done with their routine recommendations (OUTSIDE THE HEALTH CARE SETTING) a little bit.

[love_katz]

8. I will continue to mask.

I caught CoVid from my family on Christmas Day. Even though I had gotten my booster at the beginning of December, I still caught the virus. I got very sick and it has taken me until this week to feel hopeful that I might finally get better. I sat at a different table, in a separate room from the family members who brought the virus, and I still caught it. I don't want to go through this again and I enjoy not catching colds or flu, so I will continue to mask up in public places and avoid eating indoors in restaurants.