For many Americans, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that fully vaccinated people do not need to wear a mask in most indoor or outdoor settings, the news was met with enthusiasm, a sign that the Covid-19 pandemic was coming to an end.
But, despite an official green light for many to go maskless, amid confusion surrounding mask mandates, some Americans are choosing to mask up for the foreseeable future.
“I will be wearing my mask indoors, unless I’m eating in a well-ventilated restaurant, but if I’m going shopping or whatever, I will be wearing my mask,” said Laur Kim, 21, who is currently a student.
Now some believe mask-wearing in America may also stretch beyond the immediate pandemic. Motivated by a range of reasons – from confusion and distrust of the CDC guidelines to newly appreciated health benefits of mask-wearing – some vaccinated people have decided to continue wearing a mask for now, with many planning to incorporate masks into…