Has anyone noticed the decrease in mask usage?

[TaraJo]

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?

[CarveTheFive]

There’s a huge resistance to it where I live but it’s better than 10%. It’s like 35-40% here and largely, but not entirely, cut along political lines.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

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?

The current spike in COVID cases across the US is what happens when people think politicians know more than virologists.

But maybe - just maybe - these people will be able to make the connection between fewer masks and more cases. Maybe.

Boru

[brewer]

We (the heartland) had almost no one using them in March. By the end of April we had between 30 and 60% compliance depending on where you went in the city. It remains at that number in the places I frequent. A lot of businesses require employee masks, a much smaller number require them for patrons.

This is excluding our few protest events. And I have no clue about the 40yo and under events/places.

I don't know what it will take for compliance. There is a lot of self centered entitlement regarding masks. People don't seem to understand that it not just "my life". Maybe we should be thanking the anti-vaxxers.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

It's a take-home IQ test.

[Gwaithmir]

I can't say I've seen a decrease of mask use in my area. All the stores and restaurants around here require their use and have signs posted indicating so. "No mask, no service!"

[arewethereyet]

When I went to the grocery store last Monday I would say usage of masks is down to 25%.

Finally Governor Abbott said he urged people to wear them but he won't mandate them. He is pushing back a tiny bit against Trump, which is something, but he isn't openly defying his buddy in the White House. Maybe that's how he was able to get continued testing here in Texas.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I won't dine in a restaurant until masks are, to my satisfaction, no longer needed. Even then I'll ask to be seated where I'm not right on top of someone else.

[arewethereyet]

I won't dine in a restaurant until masks are, to my satisfaction, no longer needed. Even then I'll ask to be seated where I'm not right  on top of someone else.

I don't understand the restaurant thing.  It isn't like you can eat your meal with a mask on.  The restaurants around here are doing a great job of figuring out how to get food ready for pickup or delivery without losing much in the way of quality, even the ones who did almost no carryout food before the pandemic.  In fact, some of the mom and pop restaurants around here are doing exceptionally well now because they stepped up to the challenge.

[polymath257]

Mask use around here is still above 90% in stores. Most people pull them off once they leave, though.

And I have seen a big increase in people getting together in crowds and not wearing masks.

If I could be convinced the cov-idiots would only harm themselves, I would have far less problem with it.