I’m Still Masking — And You’re Not Alone If You Are Too
It’s 2025, and yes — I still mask indoors. I keep a few high-quality respirators in my bag and I check local transmission stats like some people check the weather. And you know what? I’m not embarrassed about it. In fact, I’m proud of it. Being COVID-cautious has never been about fear — it’s been about care. Care for myself, care for my immune-compromised loved ones, and care for strangers I’ll never meet. Mask usage and public health measures have helped me stay healthy through more than one wave, and they’ve given me peace of mind in a world that still hasn’t fully reckoned with airborne risks. If you’re still masking too, you’re not overreacting — you’re paying attention.
Masks Work — The Evidence Is Overwhelming
There’s a lot of noise out there, but let’s cut through it: masks work. They always have. Studies consistently show that wearing a mask — especially a well-fitting, high-filtration one — drastically reduces the transmission of airborne viruses like COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. According to the CDC, masks helped flatten every major COVID curve we’ve faced so far. And it’s not just COVID. Remember when flu cases plummeted in 2020 and 2021? That wasn’t a coincidence. It was layered protection: masks, clean air, and distancing. Public health measures aren’t about control. They’re about tools — tools that keep people safe, especially those of us who are medically vulnerable or who simply want to reduce risk.
I Upgraded My Mask — Here’s What I Use Now
Back in 2020, I started with cloth masks. Then surgical. Then N95s. Now? I use elastomeric respirators (like the 3M 7500 series with P100 filters) and high-quality masks like the Flo Mask, Envo Mask, or the SoftSeal NIOSH N95s. These offer more protection, a better fit, and are more cost-effective long-term. If you’re in a high-risk environment or just want to reduce your exposure, upgrading your mask can make a noticeable difference. And yes — they’re more comfortable than you’d think. I can wear my Flo Mask for hours at work without even thinking about it anymore. This is just part of my daily routine now — like brushing my teeth or wearing a seatbelt.
Mask Mandates May Be Gone, But That Doesn’t Mean the Risk Is
I get it — mask mandates are mostly a thing of the past. And when the mandates went away, a lot of people interpreted that as “the risk is over.” But that couldn’t be further from the truth. COVID-19 is still mutating. We’ve seen new variants like JN.1 and NB.1.8.1 continue to circulate. Immunity wanes. Vaccines help, but they aren’t a forcefield. That’s why I don’t wait for a rule to tell me to mask — I assess risk based on my own values, my health, and the data. Being COVID cautious isn’t about waiting for permission. It’s about being proactive, not reactive.
Masking Isn’t Just About Me — It’s About Protecting Others
For me, masking is an act of kindness. When I wear a mask in public, especially in crowded indoor spaces, I’m reducing the chances that I’ll unknowingly spread something. As someone who has friends with long COVID, elderly relatives, and coworkers with autoimmune conditions, that matters. We’re all interconnected. You never know who’s sitting next to you at the grocery store or on the bus. Maybe they’re a cancer patient. Maybe they have a newborn at home. Maybe they just don’t want to get sick. As Dr. Lucky Tran once said, “Public health is about protecting the most vulnerable — not just the most vocal.”
Where I Still Mask, and Why
I still wear a mask in:
- Grocery stores
- Public transit
- Airports and flights
- Healthcare settings
- Indoor events, especially during surges
- Anywhere with poor ventilation or visible crowding
It’s not about being hyper-vigilant 24/7. It’s about being thoughtful. Risk isn’t binary — it’s a spectrum. I still go out. I still live my life. I just bring my mask along, because why not? It costs me nothing and protects me — and everyone else — a little more.
We Deserve Clean Air — Not Just During Pandemics
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned? Clean air is a right, not a luxury. Masks are a piece of that puzzle, but we also need better ventilation in schools, offices, restaurants — everywhere. COVID isn’t the only airborne threat. Flu, RSV, tuberculosis, wildfire smoke — all of it travels through the air we breathe. If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that we’ve been ignoring indoor air quality for far too long. I support HEPA filters in classrooms. I check for CO2 levels in shared spaces. And yes, I speak up when buildings don’t feel safe. Because this isn’t just about pandemics — it’s about public health, period.
To Those Still Masking — I See You
Sometimes masking feels lonely. You walk into a crowded space and you’re the only one. You feel the stares. Maybe you feel self-conscious. But please know this: you’re not weird. You’re not paranoid. You’re paying attention. You’re making a smart, compassionate choice — and millions of us are doing the same, even if it’s not always visible. Mask usage and public health measures have become part of our toolkit, and we’re stronger for it. Keep masking if it feels right for you. You’re not alone.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t about politics or panic. It’s about protection. For me, masking is just one part of how I navigate a world where airborne illness still exists — and probably always will. It’s not dramatic. It’s just smart. And if you’re still masking too, know that you’ve got community, compassion, and science on your side.
