When my wife and I flew from Boston to Cabo (via Phoenix) in February 2020, there were a small handful of people wearing masks in the airports, and we
snickered at them, wondering if they were trying to protect us or themselves. Ditto for when we returned to Cape Cod in the middle of the month, with
some older residents masking up in grocery stores. As we all know the messaging out of the CDC initially downplayed the use of masks before doing an
about face in March. Initially we wore them everywhere except in our house and in our neighborhood when walking the dog. This included trips to the
grocery store, which now were every other week instead of weekly, and always on a weekday morning to ensure smaller crowds.
Massachusetts began to remove some restrictions in May 2021, but it wasn't until late summer that masks became optional. We wore them most of the time
when we were in public, but did go out to restaurants 2 or 3 times last summer, as well as attending 2 concerts (one outdoor, one indoor). My
workplace invited people back in August 2021, but encouraged those who could work remotely to continue doing so. Fortunately that included me.
We wore masks in the airports and on the aircraft when we flew from Boston to Cabo in February of this year. There were pockets of non-compliance,
always in the U.S. We kept ours on despite being delayed by a day and a half due to bad weather in Dallas. We also followed the protocols in BCS,
where we masked up and sanitized wherever we went.
Omicron variant or not, by spring of 2022 we hardly saw anyone wearing masks anywhere. This included my doctor's office in Hyannis, where I kept mine
on. I don't wear a mask to local stores any more, but will comply with any signage in a store or an office.
All of this is to say that like most people I dislike masks, but have read some of the case studies and generally agree that use of a proper mask will
reduce the spread of infection in public places, particularly indoors. I don't know what we will do when we fly to California in June. I've heard the
variable enforcement of masking on aircraft described as "leaving 2 doors open in a submarine". I'm not convinced the most recent ruling to rescind
mask mandates on public transportation will be successfully appealed, leaving the responsibility up to individuals. Fun times!
|