I feel like letting my vax flag fly
May 14, 2021 8:12 AM Subscribe
As of today, I am fully vaccinated. I want to be able to take off my mask when I'm walking around town, but I don't want to upset or scare the people I walk past. I want to continue to be part of Team Public Health.
How can I signal my vaccination status in a way that is as prominent as a mask would be?
A Party Headband is not everyday wear, although it does get the message across.
A Rubber Bracelet isn't sufficiently prominent.
I have a button I can wear on my shirt, but again, that won't be visible unless someone looks closely.
How weird would it be to wear an armband that says, "V+" on it or something? And if I wanted one, where could I get it?
Has anyone figured out a good solution to this problem?
For the last twelve months, my mask has signaled, "We are in this together. I take your health and my health seriously." I want to continue signaling that, even as I begin this transition back to the before-times behavior.
I could just keep wearing a mask all the time, but I think it is healthy for us to begin the process of emerging from our pandemic behaviors.
A Party Headband is not everyday wear, although it does get the message across.
A Rubber Bracelet isn't sufficiently prominent.
I have a button I can wear on my shirt, but again, that won't be visible unless someone looks closely.
How weird would it be to wear an armband that says, "V+" on it or something? And if I wanted one, where could I get it?
Has anyone figured out a good solution to this problem?
For the last twelve months, my mask has signaled, "We are in this together. I take your health and my health seriously." I want to continue signaling that, even as I begin this transition back to the before-times behavior.
I could just keep wearing a mask all the time, but I think it is healthy for us to begin the process of emerging from our pandemic behaviors.
Yeah, given how many people are saying they can't trust strangers who aren't wearing a mask, I'm not sure there's a way to do this. There's no way to (correctly) wear a mask while also not gaining the benefit; with any symbol of being vaccinated, you're asking strangers to trust your word.
Sadly, I don't think that many people are in a place to do that right now, as evidenced in the last few Metafilter threads on vaccines/mask guidance.
posted by sagc at 8:31 AM on May 14, 2021 [6 favorites]
Sadly, I don't think that many people are in a place to do that right now, as evidenced in the last few Metafilter threads on vaccines/mask guidance.
posted by sagc at 8:31 AM on May 14, 2021 [6 favorites]
I got a very large Disney-sized vaccination button (and a few smaller ones too) off Etsy. There are a lot of them for sale there. I also got a lanyard/badge holder for my vax card to wear around my neck. I also saw vaccinated shirts on Etsy and Amazon (though I haven't bought any yet).
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:31 AM on May 14, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:31 AM on May 14, 2021 [4 favorites]
The context has changed so the message a mask sends has muddied anyway. It can mean all sorts of things now. We wore masks for public health, the signal was a side affect.
Absolutely do not start wearing an armband with an new symbol on it! My first guess if I saw something like that would be that the wearer is some kind of proud boy variant.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 8:37 AM on May 14, 2021 [20 favorites]
Absolutely do not start wearing an armband with an new symbol on it! My first guess if I saw something like that would be that the wearer is some kind of proud boy variant.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 8:37 AM on May 14, 2021 [20 favorites]
A "V" armband would make me think it was a reference to that V for Vendetta movie, maybe, or even some anti-vax thing. Unless lots of people are using that, it's not going to send a clear message.
Maybe just wear a mask looped around your neck or hanging from a pocket (ie, ready to be pulled on at a moment's notice if you need to go into a building or talk to someone who would be more comfortable if you were masked)? That at least signals that you are a person who is willing to wear a mask.
But really, I think this is a ship that has sailed and there isn't a clear, guaranteed to be understood way to signal what you are wanting to signal.
posted by Dip Flash at 8:43 AM on May 14, 2021 [13 favorites]
Maybe just wear a mask looped around your neck or hanging from a pocket (ie, ready to be pulled on at a moment's notice if you need to go into a building or talk to someone who would be more comfortable if you were masked)? That at least signals that you are a person who is willing to wear a mask.
But really, I think this is a ship that has sailed and there isn't a clear, guaranteed to be understood way to signal what you are wanting to signal.
posted by Dip Flash at 8:43 AM on May 14, 2021 [13 favorites]
One unsatisfying but real solution to this: Wear a mask, but off your face like a chinstrap, when outside. This signals you believe masks are meaningful/important, and in practical terms allows you to pull it up instantly if you need to go inside or otherwise assure others you're safe, but also allows you to not feel the full discomfort of being masked.
(FWIW This is what I do most of the time when outside; regardless of regulations I expect to mask up inside for the foreseeable future, until and unless it becomes very rare. I will definitely continue to mask inside when employees of a business are masked.)
posted by Tomorrowful at 8:43 AM on May 14, 2021 [10 favorites]
(FWIW This is what I do most of the time when outside; regardless of regulations I expect to mask up inside for the foreseeable future, until and unless it becomes very rare. I will definitely continue to mask inside when employees of a business are masked.)
posted by Tomorrowful at 8:43 AM on May 14, 2021 [10 favorites]
I would steer clear of someone wearing an armband, almost as clear as I will continue to steer from maskless strangers. Until vaccination rates climb a whole lot higher, to me wearing a mask will continue to be the only symbol that signals "safe."
posted by DingoMutt at 8:45 AM on May 14, 2021 [18 favorites]
posted by DingoMutt at 8:45 AM on May 14, 2021 [18 favorites]
If it's for people's peace of mind when you're walking around town outdoors, what about wearing the mask around your neck? I often remove my mask outdoors, since I'm vaccinated, but always have it hanging there ready to pull back on...I hope that helps others have more peace of mind.
posted by theatro at 8:46 AM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by theatro at 8:46 AM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
Wear a mask, but off your face like a chinstrap, when outside. This signals you believe masks are meaningful/important,
Considering all of the photos of COVID-deniers wearing masks in strange ways to meet "wear a mask" requirements without actually, you know, wearing a mask, I don't think that's what this signals at all.
posted by FencingGal at 8:47 AM on May 14, 2021 [64 favorites]
Considering all of the photos of COVID-deniers wearing masks in strange ways to meet "wear a mask" requirements without actually, you know, wearing a mask, I don't think that's what this signals at all.
posted by FencingGal at 8:47 AM on May 14, 2021 [64 favorites]
If you want to go maskless, then speak positively about masks and vaccines if anyone asks. No-one will mistake you for being anti-public health once you open your mouth, unlike the other tribe, who are more than happy to tell you your DNA is being altered and that you are shedding virus making the world less safe, or whatever the top few are this week.
posted by The_Vegetables at 8:48 AM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by The_Vegetables at 8:48 AM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
There's two sides of signaling going on here, how you interpret it and how everyone else interprets it. Because up until now everyone was wearing a mask, you wearing a mask was just signaling "I am a normal person who wears a mask" to 99.9% of people and said nothing about your opinion of them and their health. So you're not really changing your public signal at all by not wearing a mask and most people won't really interpret it as anything.
But, when it comes to friends you know and your self, you have a lot of ways to continue to signal that you actually care about others, I would focus on that.
posted by JZig at 8:48 AM on May 14, 2021
But, when it comes to friends you know and your self, you have a lot of ways to continue to signal that you actually care about others, I would focus on that.
posted by JZig at 8:48 AM on May 14, 2021
It feels to me like the minute the CDC made their recommendation, the percentage of people in my (liberal, covid-cautious) community wearing masks outside dropped from 90% to 25%. So I understand your anxiety, it is natural during a transition period, but you will be OK.
posted by muddgirl at 9:00 AM on May 14, 2021 [8 favorites]
posted by muddgirl at 9:00 AM on May 14, 2021 [8 favorites]
I wear my mask down around my neck, and pull it up over me when I see anyone approaching, in addition to maneuvering for maximum wide-berth.
Please note, I am WFH in suburbia -- if I walk 1.6 miles [this is not a randomly-chosen number] I will in general encounter two people, so this strategy may not work on more close-quarters sidewalks.
posted by aramaic at 9:03 AM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
Please note, I am WFH in suburbia -- if I walk 1.6 miles [this is not a randomly-chosen number] I will in general encounter two people, so this strategy may not work on more close-quarters sidewalks.
posted by aramaic at 9:03 AM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
A friend and I were joking around about this button yesterday. Personally I dig the design and color choices, and the fact that it's made in Minnesota. All other signalling etc is dependent on who you are, where you are, and who's looking at it, I guess.
posted by Gray Duck at 9:05 AM on May 14, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by Gray Duck at 9:05 AM on May 14, 2021 [6 favorites]
Get a pin. Plenty available, or you can make a custom one.
posted by mark k at 9:11 AM on May 14, 2021
posted by mark k at 9:11 AM on May 14, 2021
Practices vary a lot by community. Are masks ubiquitous in your town, even when folks are outside and not terribly close? In my community, which has great mask compliance in indoor spaces and crowded spaces, it's incredibly common for people not to wear masks while walking around outside. We give each other space on sidewalks and/or pull up a mask, but often people are walking unmasked (except in very crowded areas).
One compromise: I have a lot of neck gaiters, for warmth in the winter and different ones for sun in the summer. Sometimes, when I'm walking the dog, I wear one of these and pull it up when I'm near someone. It's prosocial but more comfortable for me than wearing a mask.
I think the bigger problem here is that it's easy enough for folks to lie, so the fear is that there are two kinds of people: folks who are vaccinated and not wearing masks; and folks who aren't vaccinated and not wearing masks but who will lie and say they are vaccinated.
posted by bluedaisy at 9:12 AM on May 14, 2021 [4 favorites]
One compromise: I have a lot of neck gaiters, for warmth in the winter and different ones for sun in the summer. Sometimes, when I'm walking the dog, I wear one of these and pull it up when I'm near someone. It's prosocial but more comfortable for me than wearing a mask.
I think the bigger problem here is that it's easy enough for folks to lie, so the fear is that there are two kinds of people: folks who are vaccinated and not wearing masks; and folks who aren't vaccinated and not wearing masks but who will lie and say they are vaccinated.
posted by bluedaisy at 9:12 AM on May 14, 2021 [4 favorites]
I'm fully vaxxed but live in a crowded city - I ordered one of these chains and wear my mask around my neck but on the chain when out and about so that I can put it on when I enter a place of business. It's working for me.
posted by rdnnyc at 9:19 AM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by rdnnyc at 9:19 AM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
+1 on having it visible around your neck with the ability to pull it on at a moment's notice. You'll need it to go into stores and indoor spaces for the moment (at least until local regulations change) so it doubles as a convenience factor. I still distance from people on the sidewalk (which I've found to be a lovely practice, pandemic or not), but it's half a second to pull it up over my face if I can't or I'm passing someone who is still masked and looks at all nervous.
posted by mikesch at 9:20 AM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by mikesch at 9:20 AM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
FWIW, continuing to wear a mask also encourages other people to wear a mask. When no one's masked, it feels very uncomfortable to be the only person standing out (ask me how I know). So while it's probably a lost cause in the medium term, in the short term at least I think continuing to wear it says "actually, the pandemic isn't over, let's keep taking it seriously" and makes life a little easier for the people who have to be masked.
I think it is healthy for us to begin the process of emerging from our pandemic behaviors.
I think it's okay not to be at the vanguard of that movement right this second - it's already happening, probably too fast given the low vaccination rates. Why not wait a few weeks?
posted by trig at 9:23 AM on May 14, 2021 [25 favorites]
I think it is healthy for us to begin the process of emerging from our pandemic behaviors.
I think it's okay not to be at the vanguard of that movement right this second - it's already happening, probably too fast given the low vaccination rates. Why not wait a few weeks?
posted by trig at 9:23 AM on May 14, 2021 [25 favorites]
Just a side point/something to think about: personally, I'd be much more wary of contributing to this whole masked vs. unmasked thing in general. Assuming someone who is wearing a mask is a "good person" and someone who isn't wearing a mask is a "bad person" is going to lead society down some really nasty roads sooner or later. Assuming that you need to signal your "goodness" in order to not be assumed one of "those people" by strangers feels like contributing to this troubling dichotomy.
To answer your question, I agree with the suggestion to have a mask on your person (visibly) but you don't necessarily need to wear it (iirc wearing a mask outside hasn't really been necessary even before the CDC guidance, as long as you're not huddled close to a lot of people).
Hopefully mask wearing during cold and flu season in general will become a common courtesy and the need to show that you're "good" or "bad" for wearing a mask will die down once everyone stops feeling so nervous about being around each other.
posted by fight or flight at 9:23 AM on May 14, 2021 [11 favorites]
To answer your question, I agree with the suggestion to have a mask on your person (visibly) but you don't necessarily need to wear it (iirc wearing a mask outside hasn't really been necessary even before the CDC guidance, as long as you're not huddled close to a lot of people).
Hopefully mask wearing during cold and flu season in general will become a common courtesy and the need to show that you're "good" or "bad" for wearing a mask will die down once everyone stops feeling so nervous about being around each other.
posted by fight or flight at 9:23 AM on May 14, 2021 [11 favorites]
I have one of these and plan to wear it, starting tomorrow--my two-week second-dosiversary.
posted by yellowcandy at 9:27 AM on May 14, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by yellowcandy at 9:27 AM on May 14, 2021 [5 favorites]
Plenty of good suggestions already but just wanted to add that wearing a mask outdoors (except heavy crowds) has always been more of a political and social statement than one based on any evidence. Wearing a mask outdoors, especially now that you’re vaccinated, will do nothing to prevent virus transmission because that’s not where the virus is spreading anyway.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/11/briefing/outdoor-covid-transmission-cdc-number.html
posted by shahzebasif at 9:29 AM on May 14, 2021 [14 favorites]
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/11/briefing/outdoor-covid-transmission-cdc-number.html
posted by shahzebasif at 9:29 AM on May 14, 2021 [14 favorites]
You lost me at the "upset or scare people I walk past" part. The CDC just offered guidelines saying no need for mask inside or out if you are vaccinated (in most cases). My Town is over 60% vaccinated. If I follow the science, and for the record, I am not a Fauci fanboy, I should not be scared of maskless people walking down the street.
Either wear or don't wear your mask guilt free. The CDC says it is ok.
posted by AugustWest at 9:45 AM on May 14, 2021 [10 favorites]
Either wear or don't wear your mask guilt free. The CDC says it is ok.
posted by AugustWest at 9:45 AM on May 14, 2021 [10 favorites]
Until they say no one has to wear a mask, I'm going to wear a mask.
I recommend this policy for everyone as it is the most likely to result in fewer infections, all things considered.
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:49 AM on May 14, 2021 [15 favorites]
I recommend this policy for everyone as it is the most likely to result in fewer infections, all things considered.
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:49 AM on May 14, 2021 [15 favorites]
Just take it off--if you're vaccinated and walking around outside, it's ok. If you're frightened that someone will challenge you, take your vaccine records with you (or better, a photo of them on your phone). I doubt anyone will, though.
You can't control what other people think of you, and barring another spike, most people are going to be taking their masks off outside. Enjoy the fresh air and don't worry about what you think other people are thinking!
posted by kingdead at 9:55 AM on May 14, 2021 [8 favorites]
You can't control what other people think of you, and barring another spike, most people are going to be taking their masks off outside. Enjoy the fresh air and don't worry about what you think other people are thinking!
posted by kingdead at 9:55 AM on May 14, 2021 [8 favorites]
I'm going to continue wearing my mask when possible/practical.
Over the past year, the number of colds, upper respiratory infections and assorted crud I've had has gone to zero (from a previous standard of "lots"). I'm not claiming that's entirely due to mask-wearing, but that seems likely to have contributed to my generally better health. Wearing a mask has plenty of benefits beyond just curtailing spread of COVID-19.
Speaking strictly for myself, I also like it for some non-health reasons. Fuck facial recognition. And if I don't know you well, my facial expression is none of your business.
It also doesn't hurt that I have some cool (SFW) masks (NSFW).
posted by sourcequench at 10:01 AM on May 14, 2021 [12 favorites]
Over the past year, the number of colds, upper respiratory infections and assorted crud I've had has gone to zero (from a previous standard of "lots"). I'm not claiming that's entirely due to mask-wearing, but that seems likely to have contributed to my generally better health. Wearing a mask has plenty of benefits beyond just curtailing spread of COVID-19.
Speaking strictly for myself, I also like it for some non-health reasons. Fuck facial recognition. And if I don't know you well, my facial expression is none of your business.
It also doesn't hurt that I have some cool (SFW) masks (NSFW).
posted by sourcequench at 10:01 AM on May 14, 2021 [12 favorites]
Chiming in to agree that an armband is going to have negative connotations for a lot of people; I'd say don't go that route.
Personally I'll be continuing to either wear my mask or have my mask visible on a chain around my neck ready to pull up, for the foreseeable future, so I haven't looked much into alternatives at this point. But buttons or t-shirts with messages seem to be the thing I'm seeing among people I know. A friend found some sort of knitted hat signalling vaccination status on Etsy that they're planning to wear when weather turns colder, but I don't have a link to the exact one in question.
posted by Stacey at 10:14 AM on May 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
Personally I'll be continuing to either wear my mask or have my mask visible on a chain around my neck ready to pull up, for the foreseeable future, so I haven't looked much into alternatives at this point. But buttons or t-shirts with messages seem to be the thing I'm seeing among people I know. A friend found some sort of knitted hat signalling vaccination status on Etsy that they're planning to wear when weather turns colder, but I don't have a link to the exact one in question.
posted by Stacey at 10:14 AM on May 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
I'm fully vaxxed. I wear one of those masks with a neck strap in addition to the ear hangers. Mostly I wear it like a weird cravat, but at appropriate moments, like say when crossing paths with someone masked or entering a shop, I loop the ear straps and cover up my disgusting nose and mouth.
posted by notyou at 10:56 AM on May 14, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by notyou at 10:56 AM on May 14, 2021 [3 favorites]
It felt incredibly odd to not wear a mask on my walk yesterday but I think this feeling will subside for me as more people hear about the new CDC announcement and relax their own mask wearing when walking on less busy streets. I definitely will continue to wear a mask in retail stores and public transit.
posted by mundo at 10:58 AM on May 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by mundo at 10:58 AM on May 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
Thinking more about this... if your goal is to be prosocial and reduce anxiety in your fellow citizens (think about the single parent out and about with an unvaccinated child, or someone who is immunocompromised and can't get vaccinated for health reasons if you want to think of folks who aren't just anxious but have legit health issues)... I don't think there's any pin or signal or way of presenting that will communicate what you want to say, except wearing a mask. Not now and not yet. I think we've known for a while that masks aren't always necessary outside, but we've still be wearing them.
If it's more important to not wear a mask, then don't wear one... but know that you can't help other people feel okay or relaxed about this. So you just have to make some decisions here.
Maybe give it a week or two and see how things go in your community?
posted by bluedaisy at 11:11 AM on May 14, 2021 [9 favorites]
If it's more important to not wear a mask, then don't wear one... but know that you can't help other people feel okay or relaxed about this. So you just have to make some decisions here.
Maybe give it a week or two and see how things go in your community?
posted by bluedaisy at 11:11 AM on May 14, 2021 [9 favorites]
If you're passing by outdoors and not lingering, I wouldn't give it a second thought. If it's an outside situation like a line or a bus stop and we have to stand next to each other for more than a few minutes, putting a mask on is the only thing that would make me feel OK.
I don't care if you say you're vaccinated or get a button or whatever. People say a lot of things, doesn't make them true. They don't check your card when they sell you the button.
posted by blnkfrnk at 11:58 AM on May 14, 2021 [4 favorites]
I don't care if you say you're vaccinated or get a button or whatever. People say a lot of things, doesn't make them true. They don't check your card when they sell you the button.
posted by blnkfrnk at 11:58 AM on May 14, 2021 [4 favorites]
On the topic of faking it by wearing a Got My Shots t-shirt or whatever: I don't think there's much reward to this for the people hypothetically faking it? If they are aggro scare-the-libs types, the t-shirt isn't going to accomplish the goal of riling you up. If their concerns are for themselves, not about you, why spend $20 on a t-shirt (or even $2 on a pin) that they disagree with? It's not like it's going to get you your free Krispy Kreme.
posted by february at 12:46 PM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by february at 12:46 PM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
On the topic of faking it by wearing a Got My Shots t-shirt or whatever: I don't think there's much reward to this for the people hypothetically faking it?
This isn't about what people will actually do, but about the anxiety felt by other folks, and how we can behave in prosocial ways to help ease other folks' stress.
posted by bluedaisy at 2:02 PM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
This isn't about what people will actually do, but about the anxiety felt by other folks, and how we can behave in prosocial ways to help ease other folks' stress.
posted by bluedaisy at 2:02 PM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
Mod note: please answer the question, there's a thread about the CDCs recs on the blue if you want to debate them
posted by Eyebrows McGee (staff) at 3:19 PM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Eyebrows McGee (staff) at 3:19 PM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
The recommendation in Canada at least, is that even once vaccinated, you still must wear a mask and keep distancing from others - because vaccinated people can still be a carrier of the virus, and may unwittingly spread it to others - or alternatively, still catch it but may not necessarily get any symptoms (although I just received a medical article in my inbox stating that a fully vaccinated 80 year old recently died from Covid)... So, I'd just put your pro-vax message on your mask. It shows that you appreciate others, and you also believe that getting the vaccine is important.
posted by itsflyable at 3:48 PM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by itsflyable at 3:48 PM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
If I'm out and about and people are wearing them--like at the farmers' market, where there are tons of elderly people and kids--I'll wear a mask like it's last year this time. If I'm just walking around downtown I'll keep one in my shirtpocket or looped around my wrist and if somebody's in view and approaching and that person has a mask on, I'll put mine on. I don't want to freak people out, and I really don't want "mild COVID" or any other respiratory infection. This year without a single pain-in-the-ass headcold has been bliss.
posted by Don Pepino at 3:50 PM on May 14, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Don Pepino at 3:50 PM on May 14, 2021 [3 favorites]
I wear a cloth mask on my wrist and quickly pop it on when approaching masked people.
posted by farkleberry at 4:35 PM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by farkleberry at 4:35 PM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
absolutely nothing you put on yourself as a visual signifier will be good. nobody should trust a stranger's t-shirt slogan or affiliation flags for anything serious.
what you can do to be courteous in a slightly show-offy manner is just stay physically far away from others - be the one who steps into the grass when people are coming towards you on the sidewalk, detour into the street like joggers do if there aren't any cars. Outside there's not much risk anyway, but making it clear that you have no intention of coming up close to anybody will calm anyone who isn't already calm.
posted by queenofbithynia at 5:50 PM on May 14, 2021 [6 favorites]
what you can do to be courteous in a slightly show-offy manner is just stay physically far away from others - be the one who steps into the grass when people are coming towards you on the sidewalk, detour into the street like joggers do if there aren't any cars. Outside there's not much risk anyway, but making it clear that you have no intention of coming up close to anybody will calm anyone who isn't already calm.
posted by queenofbithynia at 5:50 PM on May 14, 2021 [6 favorites]
A colleague recently told me she ran into someone on a walk in her new neighborhood. The person had on a shirt saying “vaccinated” so she congratulated them. Turns out the person was an antivax asshole who was wearing it “ironically.” Assholes gonna asshole, and so that shouldn’t affect your behavior, but it might affect how other people read your choice.
posted by nat at 6:06 PM on May 14, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by nat at 6:06 PM on May 14, 2021 [4 favorites]
About “signaling”: I don’t feel safer around a masked person because their mask says that they’re taking the pandemic seriously—I feel safer around a masked person because their mask is containing potential infectious material. If you’re a stranger to me, I have zero reason to believe any signal you might give me about your health status. Communication in the absence of trust cannot replace actual protective action. (If I hooked up with a stranger, I’d use protection whether or not they said they had no STIs, you know what I’m saying?)
If your goal is to not make strangers anxious about you potentially infecting them, I think the only way you can do that is by doing the only thing that they can verify might make them safer: wearing a mask.
posted by CtrlAltDelete at 6:47 PM on May 14, 2021 [9 favorites]
If your goal is to not make strangers anxious about you potentially infecting them, I think the only way you can do that is by doing the only thing that they can verify might make them safer: wearing a mask.
posted by CtrlAltDelete at 6:47 PM on May 14, 2021 [9 favorites]
Today I visited a local garden, where I go once a week. To my surprise, less than 30% of people were wearing masks, whereas before it was close to 100%. When the CDC announced the new mask guidelines yesterday, the governor of PA immediately lifted the mask mandate for people who are vaccinated. I didn't even know that until I got home later and checked, but apparently everyone else knew, because that's how fast the masks came off outdoors. I also got an email from the local farmer's markets today, saying that masks are no longer required if you're vaccinated. This is for markets in both Philadelphia and the suburbs.
So depending on where you live, you may find things changing pretty quickly, at least outdoors, and it may not be much of an issue for you.
posted by daikon at 8:16 PM on May 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
So depending on where you live, you may find things changing pretty quickly, at least outdoors, and it may not be much of an issue for you.
posted by daikon at 8:16 PM on May 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
The science has always said outside in not crowded areas is pretty much as safe as you can get. Now that I'm fully vaccinated, I smile (mask-less) when I walk around town instead of avoiding people's eye contact. I keep a mask in my pocket for going into stores and restaurants. We should be happy at how effective the vaccines are. My day improves substantially when I exchange a smile and friendly hello with the people I encounter on my morning walks.
posted by DEiBnL13 at 9:45 PM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by DEiBnL13 at 9:45 PM on May 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
I think the best thing you can do is smile and be friendly. Don’t walk around as if you’re making a statement and expecting to be confronted. Anyone who currently reads hostility into following the new guidelines will re-evaluate once they get used to the change.
posted by michaelh at 11:25 PM on May 14, 2021
posted by michaelh at 11:25 PM on May 14, 2021
I fold one neatly round my wrist - with a cloth one in a nice material it is quite a visible detail and clear what it is. I just tuck mine in but you can get ones with buttons made to do this even more easily (and visibly). Or loves with coloured ties work well and look good. In fact if you like you could even use a 'vaccinated' pin to fasten it with.
Also then you have it should you need it.
posted by tardigrade at 12:52 AM on May 15, 2021
Also then you have it should you need it.
posted by tardigrade at 12:52 AM on May 15, 2021
what you can do to be courteous in a slightly show-offy manner is just stay physically far away from others - be the one who steps into the grass when people are coming towards you on the sidewalk, detour into the street like joggers do if there aren't any cars. Outside there's not much risk anyway, but making it clear that you have no intention of coming up close to anybody will calm anyone who isn't already calm.
I wish I could favorite this a hundred times this is such good advice. I actually stopped really caring about other people wearing masks outdoors a while ago, as long as people keep a reasonable distance away. But joggers running by and breathing into my face is still really disturbing, even though I am vaccinated.
posted by maggiemaggie at 9:21 AM on May 15, 2021 [3 favorites]
I wish I could favorite this a hundred times this is such good advice. I actually stopped really caring about other people wearing masks outdoors a while ago, as long as people keep a reasonable distance away. But joggers running by and breathing into my face is still really disturbing, even though I am vaccinated.
posted by maggiemaggie at 9:21 AM on May 15, 2021 [3 favorites]
I think you are getting a lot of great, different viewpoints here, so I’ll add mine too. My family members have tested positive after being fully vaccinated, so while statistically, vaccinated people are safe, when I encounter any individual person, there is still a small risk in my head. I might adjust my risk estimate knowing they’re vaccinated, but someone who has been anti vax and anti mask all year is probably somewhat immune from having had a case of Covid too. I know vaccination lowers the risk considerably compared to having had Covid, but at the moment when I’m around an individual and worried about the risk to myself, I don’t make those fine grained calculations.
I’m also extremely against the politicization and virtue signaling of masking, and I don’t think people who don’t mask (like the entire extremely liberal nation of Sweden) are evil.
So to answer your question — if you’re not masked, I’ll keep my distance from you regardless of which political tribe you belong to, and even regardless of whether you’re vaccinated or not, because I’m personally risk averse and I have a young child. But I won’t think of you as evil. If you wore an armband, I might think of you as an insufferable Twitter persona come to life in my neighborhood, though.
posted by redlines at 7:37 AM on May 16, 2021
I’m also extremely against the politicization and virtue signaling of masking, and I don’t think people who don’t mask (like the entire extremely liberal nation of Sweden) are evil.
So to answer your question — if you’re not masked, I’ll keep my distance from you regardless of which political tribe you belong to, and even regardless of whether you’re vaccinated or not, because I’m personally risk averse and I have a young child. But I won’t think of you as evil. If you wore an armband, I might think of you as an insufferable Twitter persona come to life in my neighborhood, though.
posted by redlines at 7:37 AM on May 16, 2021
Response by poster: Thank you for all the responses. I'm wearing my vaccination pin and got a lanyard for my mask. All is good.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 6:47 AM on May 20, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 6:47 AM on May 20, 2021 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
How weird would it be to wear an armband that says, "V+" on it or something?
This might be interpreted as 'virtue signaling' (the horror!)
Truth is, there's no solution (this week) despite the CDC's announcement. Therefore, our only recourse (again, this week) is to continue masking, until reality catches up (which may be as soon as next week).
posted by Rash at 8:30 AM on May 14, 2021 [11 favorites]