Face mask or no face mask?

I wear one when there are local mandates for use and/or businesses that say you need one to enter.

Other than that it's going in my pocket.

I wear one when ever I have to go inside somewhere or be near someone outside of my home. It's the right thing to do.

It's mandated to wear a mask in public if you are unable to socially distance or social distancing is more difficult...basically going into the store and whatnot. I do not wear a mask outdoors unless I am in a crowded area...I don't wear one when I ride or go on my walks or hikes. I will not be returning to my big box gym anytime soon so no mask issue there. Once I am off the injured list I will be returning to my one on one personal training gym and I will not be wearing a mask as it is just myself, my wife, and our trainer.

I am mostly in areas where it's sufficiently hard to social distance (downtown, in my neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods), so I typically wear one outside. I also wear one in stores, of course, and in public areas of my office (outside my actual office).

If I were out in the middle of nowhere, or somewhere else where you aren't constantly going by people, I wouldn't wear one (would have it handy in case). Thinking of driving out somewhere over the weekend where there might be fewer people to hike.

I always wear it when out despite being one of the 1% who do. It's mandated but not enforced. I'm not a difficult person, if something is mandated and it doesn't affect me negatively I do it even if others don't. Although in this case, I do believe masks to be beneficial.

It's currently the law in my area to wear them in public spaces, but I'd do it anyway because I hate the thought of someone getting sick because I didn't. I agree with the others that point out that we can't know for sure how effective it is at preventing the spread, but it doesn't hurt me. I'd much rather find out I was doing something relatively useless than find out I hadn't done something that was kind and considerate.

Personally, I . . .

* always wear one when near other people (even when doing something outdoors with another person where we may intermittently get close to each other),
* keep a bandana style one around my neck to put on if I'm outdoors on a walk or something where I may unexpectedly encounter someone (I know this is sub-optimal for self-contamination, but it will still help the other person if I'm infected, and I've practiced putting on/taking off without touching the front), and
* wear one in my car when I'm out doing multi-place indoor errands, so I don't fuss with it as much when/after navigating that higher-risk indoor environment.

Even as a 64-year-old with early-stage COPD, I've had no trouble wearing two layers of tight-weave cotton plus an inner filter layer, tightly fitted to cheeks (up to just below eyes) and jawline, while doing normal-intensity activities (walking through stores, brief jog across a street or parking lot) for 3+ hours, during hot weather. I don't see why I couldn't do it longer, I just haven't had reason to do so.

I did experiment with a brisk outdoor walk (between 3.5-4mph) for around 4 continuous miles, back before it got hot, while wearing a tight two-layer cotton mask. I wouldn't call it preferable, but it was completely tolerable. (I don't run, so didn't try that.) Haven't been riding my bike (logistical reasons), but if i did I'd mask up the whole time, it being hard to put one on in the midst of riding, plus getting less warning of approaching others when moving faster.

It's easy IMO, so why not do it. I believe it helps me/others, but even if it's of minor help, it's trivially inconvenient.

I wish our state would mandate them. I wear one in every public place and visiting others. If I'm driving or by myself, then no.

As someone else said, it's such a simple thing, why not??? Better to be safe than sorry.

Yes mask up.

I am mostly at home since due to my age I am under the high risk category- even without underlying health conditions. I very, very seldom go inside a store, and when I do, I wear my mask and the same at doctor's appointments or outdoors even if the area is not crowded.

I don't wear a mask inside my car or in the house, unless I have somebody doing repairs or an installation. I stopped going to the gym in February, even when it was briefly open last month. I am not planing to go again until this virus disappears from the face of the earth or everybody gets an effective vaccine.

Wearing a mask is the proper thing to do to protect our families and fellow citizens and ourselves. Medical professionals and first responders need a break. The only statement that we make wearing a mask is: "I care for your health and for mine, please do the same."

I wear a mask whenever I leave the house, and take it out when I'm back home. Easy peasy.
I even wear it during my walks and runs. I never felt deprived of oxygen, and any slight discomfort I may feel is much better than the possibility of ending up on a respirator. Also, I'd never forgive myself if I'd infect someone else.

ReenieHJ wrote: »

AngelOfMusic1028 wrote: »

I ALWAYS wear a mask around other people. I will not risk giving my mom any kind of sickness. She has lung, breast and bone cancer on top of COPD plus had radiation treatments. That reason is why I get so frustrated about people complaining they need to wear a mask. I don't care if I get sick. I care if she gets sick!

Hugs to you and your family for everything you're going through.

Thank you for the concern. We're taking it one day at a time. She just had surgery the other day to remove a tumor that was protruding from her arm. It's been tough. I haven't even hugged her in months out of fear of possibly giving her something that could kill her (especially now that I'm back to work)