There is no shortage of opinions when it comes to all things coronavirus-related. Whether it's the highly politicized nature of the pandemic itself or the mask shaming toward those who continue to wear masks, anti-maskers are moving beyond the keyboard and making their opinions known in real life.
Michelle Garrett recounted a particularly harrowing experience she had while at the grocery store with her kids. "I was verbally attacked and followed by two individuals who were preaching to me that wearing a mask went against the faith-based shirt I had on, the mom of two explained. "Thankfully a store employee intervened and they were removed from the store. We took the long, long, long route home that day."
Unfortunately, mask shaming is a thing but shifting your mindset can help you stand your ground in the face of criticism.
Should I still wear a mask? CDC mask guidance and WHO mask mandate
Should I still wear a mask after vaccination?
So, to answer the question, "should I wear a mask after vaccination?" — that depends on your local health guidelines in public situations, and your comfort level in private spaces.
Those who choose to mask up even after vaccination have their reasons — common courtesy, empathy, and the safety of others. Those who are immunocompromised or have health issues may also choose to continue to wear masks. And in our case, since the vaccine is not yet available to children under 12, we're still wearing our masks out of an abundance of caution — until clinical trials indicate the vaccine is safe for young children.
With the highly contagious Delta variant surging in almost all U.S. states, wearing a mask despite being vaccinated can also be a matter of protecting yourself from breakthrough cases, which are on the rise. Recently, entertainment reporter Catt Sadler indicated on her Instagram account that she contracted coronavirus after she had been vaccinated.
"I'm fully vaccinated and I have Covid. I'm telling you this so that you understand that the pandemic is very much NOT over," Sadler wrote. “Delta is relentless and highly contagious and grabbed ahold of me even after getting vaccinated."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that vaccinated individuals could contract COVID-19 or a variant of the virus if they were to come in contact with it. Recent guidance from the CDC states that wearing a mask in crowded settings or when engaging in activities in close proximity to others and social distancing can decrease the spread of COVID-19 but breakthrough infections are a possibility.
These are all valid reasons for continuing to wear a mask, but ultimately, other people's opinions of you are not your business. "Part of prioritizing yourself and your wellness involves creating a list of all the reasons why it's in your best interest to continue wearing your mask until you feel comfortable not needing it," Dr. Yip told Mom.com. "You don't need to justify what your reasoning may be for continuing to wear a mask."
