An hour ago I was in a zoom meeting with a friend who works at the local ER

[salin]

We are in a bright blue small mid-sized city (and University town) within a bright red and crazy state. Largest employers are: the University (IU), the hospital, medical offices and related businesses, public schools and medical device manufacturers. As a result the city has had high masking compliance, even before there was a state wide mandate. Big and small retail places have compliance (making enforcement easier - as most nonmasked act embarrassed ala "oops - its still in my car - be right back" rather than defiant show downs.) I am sure there are covid deniers among us, but when the social culture of a community is so dominant, I think its jut easier to comply. Drive 20 miles any direction and almost the polar opposite is true. Our state vaccination rate is #40.

He told us, while things are getting better and it feels like it is locally (b/c of the above), at the Hospital they are still admitting patients in the ER with covid every single day.

[phylny]

1. We had 10 new cases and two deaths yesterday.

I'm still wearing my mask, even though I'm fully vaccinated.

[arlyellowdog]

2. Your kids or grandkids are not vaccinated (mostly)

So glad 12 and up can get it, but we owe it to the ones not eligible to protect them.

[brewens]

3. I'm not ready to stop wearing the masks yet. But I bought masks in February before they were

recommended. I think it was seeing throngs of Chinese wearing them that convinced me I should get some. I know I wasn't the only one thinking they were holding off on any mask recommendations or mandates because they were in short supply.

I've generally followed the science all along and then some. I've been hiding out. A little longer won't bother me much.

[salin]

6. Me, too.

On all points. Though I waited a little while to get the masks. Did have a couple of N-95 from a job a few years earlier. Used those religiously til I went out and got some.

[brewens]

9. I was earlier than some getting the regular blue surgical masks but knew I was paying too

much at a buck apiece. That was bargain compared to about a week later. I think they were about 35 cents apiece normally. But I only got 50. Most of which I still have. They hold up quite awhile if you aren't going anywhere you need one very often.

[Skittles]

4. I wish people would stop acting as if Covid was a thing of the past

it's still out there and there are too many unknowns to drop precautions

[salin]

5. In far too many areas of this state many people have always acted as if its not real at all.

It's probably why the few counties that still have mask mandates haven't signaled that they are about to lift them.

Plus our vaccination rate isn't even yet 50% (in the county - not even 40% in the state.)

[Skittles]

7. yes

and I do not want to be mistaken for a maskhole plus I care about others so I will continue masking; yes INDEED

[Ilsa]

8. I'll probably keep wearing mine a little bit longer. nt

[JoeOtterbein]

10. I will continue to wear a mask when inside with strangers.

It stops airborne disease from me, and to me.