Although the CDC recommendations are a useful framework for thinking about masking when no broader policies are in effect, ultimately, the decision to mask is a personal one, experts told me. Regardless of your county’s risk level, Murray said, “if you’re most comfortable and feel safest wearing a mask, you should definitely wear a mask. It’s not harmful.” Grad argued that masking could be made as convenient as possible by ensuring high-quality N95 masks are widely available. (The CDC has an online tool for finding free ones.)
But the decision to mask can still be an uncomfortable one. Much as you might try to be consistent with your personal masking preferences, in reality, people’s perceptions of risk can change depending on the social context. I’ve shown up to parties wearing a mask, then sheepishly removed it because nobody else was wearing one. On the flip side, I’ve felt pressured to put on a mask at concerts where the crowd generally seemed more cautious, even if I felt safe because vaccination cards were checked at the door. When I’m stressed about deciding whether to put on a mask, I remind myself that it’s just one of many precautions that can be layered to help reduce risk, along with testing before gathering and opting to socialize outdoors.
This isn’t the last time that a spike in COVID risk will prompt uncertainty about masking. Many epidemiologists believe that risk levels will fluctuate year after year, as new variants emerge and cases surge alongside colds and the flu each respiratory-virus season.
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