Has anyone noticed the decrease in mask usage?

[Rev. Rye]

This is something I've noticed.

I remember, back in April and most of May, if you went to the grocery store or the gas station, EVERYONE was wearing a mask.  But over the past few weeks, I've noticed fewer and fewer people wearing them.  I went to get groceries last week and it was actually rare to see people wearing masks.  If I had to guestimate, I'd say 10% or less of people were actually wearing masks.  I have a friend who said she had the same problem at the grocery store yesterday.  Me, I've decided to try to do any significant errands or shopping during the week when it's less busy just so I can avoid the potentially infected crowds.

I can't say I'm entirely innocent here, either.  I've had more than a few times I've forgotten my mask.  I'm lucky I don't have to get out much, but on those rare cases I do go out, I usually wear my mask.  Usually isn't always, though.  Does it get hard to keep doing it or to remember to keep doing it?  That doesn't even take into account the people who don't just forget to wear masks, but make it a point to be against any mask wearing.  I've watched videos of people reaction with rage and violence over being asked to wear a mask.  

It's kinda crazy, though, because covid cases are still sky high.  The disease isn't going away; it's actually getting worse.  

And, yeah, I have a friend who works retail who probably has the virus.  She has all the symptoms: lost of taste/smell, cough, fever.  And her daughter, just a little thing, who is asthmatic, and isn't doing great, either.  

What will it take to get people to treat this virus like it's a serious threat?

When they themselves get it and realize they fucked up and not a moment before, and probably not even then. When they decide it’s just another culture war issue, and not just a matter of saving lives, nothing short of the pundits doing an about face can change their minds, and given that in many political circles, it’s considered more advantageous to stick with tried and failed policies than admit you fucked up and get called a flip-flopper, that’s probably not happening anytime soon.