I understand how you feel. I feel the social pressure also to do what people around me are doing. It’s easy for people to say to not worry what other people think, but peer pressure and not wanting to feel silly is real. I liked it better when everyone was wearing masks, because it was safe and the social norm was there. When it gets down around 30% of a group, you start to feel silly. 
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My surgical mask over the N95 is just there to get more use out on the N95.
I still don’t understand how it could have a negative effect. It so light weight and I barely know it’s there.
As far as breathing resistance, I recently did a treadmill stress test wearing two masks. The N95 is a well fitting 3M. Zero problems breathing and my oxygen levels remained normal for the 20 minute test.
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I am not enjoying it at all when I must go to San Diego and use the trolley, because of the folks who are obviously sick and coughing all over the place. Same goes for the calafias (minivan taxis) here in Tijuana. I’m glad I bought a bicycle so I don’t have to get in a calafia here very often.
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It’s very easy to feel resentful, that it’s not fair! that you are still being cautious and everyone else is being blasé about the risks.
In the end there will be very cautious people who got very sick or died and very reckless people who were fine. Masks can be uncomfortable to wear for extended periods. Looking different from the people around you can be uncomfortable. But there are still risks, and taking simple precautions can reduce them. Giving up the mask and then getting sick will feel way worse than getting sick even if you wore a mask.
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Customers notice other people’s hair in their food
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I think some of the dicknoses (*) do it as a not-so-subtle “fuck you” to mandates. Others do it because “they can’t breathe”. Both of those mindsets I have so little patience for.
(*) Oh yes, I refer to them as dicknoses as much as humanly possible - without being confrontational about it. I just drop it in casual conversations.
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The overall dishonesty from the far right on masks is prevalent, though. On the one hand, they tell people, “YOU wear a mask if it makes you feel better, why are you skeeered if you have a mask??!!” but then many of the same group exhort others to “get in the face” of people wearing masks and make fun of them, etc., most especially if they see kids wearing masks, they are told to go after the parents.
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I mask up when going inside a business, but it comes off when I am outside.
Damn things are hot [which triggers my COPD], & it’s summertime in Houston.
I am thinking about getting some valved masks; they seem like they might be more tolerable in this climate, & most people around here aren’t wearing masks anyway, so, fuck 'em.
If they can’t be bothered to take basic measures to protect themselves [or anyone else], then why should I give a shit about them?
So, valved masks it will be; and I will take a marker & write ‘4Q’ on the valve.
Did I mention that trumpanzees are rampant where I go shopping?
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Yeah, it seems maskers are increasingly the exception and, for me, that’s beyond surreal. People seem to have given up. I haven’t been to any shows since the start of the pandemic. I want to go but there’s that hesitation and it seems too indulgent. There’s always Bandcamp, I suppose.
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Still masking south of Seattle. I have no problem with people not masking, apparently they have no problem with me, but it’s nice to see people around me still masking up.
Thanks, I’ll have a look for those 
After discovering how effective masks are at preventing random colds… you’ll have to ban them to get me to stop wearing them at indoor public places.
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On the train I take into work in Chicago, probably 75% of the people (myself included) are still masking. I don’t see that stopping anytime soon.
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I understand. My wife was my only seat mate and for sure it’s a calculated risk on my part. I have to drink and have to eat, so at that point - particularly since no one else was masked, including staff - I was willing to take that risk.
FWIW - it’s only my wife and me at home. We tested before and after travel and also stayed away from anyone else after coming home.
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I have a few boxes of some n95s targeted at more industrial than medical use. I should test my O2 next time I use one. Those certainly feel like they restrict air flow a bit. They are the ones I use for circumstances I do not trust.
Where I am in Germany, only about 15% are still wearing masks and I’m one of them. I own my own business and I can’t afford to shut down for 2 or 3 weeks FOR ANYTHING. Recently though, bronchial infections and the stomach flu has started making the rounds and there has been a slight, but noticeable uptick in masking. I mean, from older folks. People under 25 are like, hey ( cough* cough*) YOLO.
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Having had a couple of near misses this week (friends, co-workers testing positive), I will definitely continue to mask up. No one wants the COVID, and it just seems prudent.
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I am absolutely still masking when I go out, and will continue to do so until I feel it’s safe. I just had my second booster, and the icky feelings the day after are bad enough, I don’t want to catch Covid for real.
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Went to Lowes at 6 am to get 40’ of split rail fence.
Me and the wife were the only two wearing masks except for two employees which got me thinking.
Motorcycle riders know this, when ever you encounter another biker you give the two finger down wave to say keep your wheels on the ground and stay safe.
I’m gonna see if I can start a trend with my fellow maskers by giving them a wave or a thumbs up.
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Got my second booster four days ago, and I’m only just now starting to feel right again. They’re no picnic - I was mostly unconscious for two days. Still masking everywhere - it’s not a problem in the DC area, but I’m not looking forward to dealing with it when I’m visiting family in Alabama in a few weeks.
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