# How long will you continue to wear a mask when you’re fully vaccinated and immunized? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 15, 2021, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964 "2021-03-15T23:19:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/21 "2021-03-16T01:58:49Z")
That is a _great_ idea, Smapti! ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/22 "2021-03-16T02:00:52Z")
My 2 weeks after the second vaccination is over next Sunday, and I’m still going to wear one when I’m out because I care about other people, and because it is required and because I don’t want to freak anyone out. The exception is when I’m with friends who’ve been vaccinated also. Then I’m okay not wearing one and with them not wearing one. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/23 "2021-03-16T02:06:44Z")
For me, I’ve always thought that having a mask would be handy for public/outdoor restroom-using. Would any answer here change if tomorrow a study was released supporting that the vaccine greatly reduces transmission? Some wouldn’t, it looks like, but it seems like some would. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/24 "2021-03-16T03:13:19Z")
I got my first poke on Saturday. I’ll keep wearing one until the CDC/Dr Fauci says otherwise. I’ll definately wear one on planes, and most likely when I’m cleared to visit Asia again. 1. This is probably are really dangerous time as I can see how a lot of folks will just stop with precautions even though we are not near herd immunity 2. You can still get and spread covid after being immunized 3. Hi Opal. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/25 "2021-03-16T11:21:47Z")
I’ll be getting my second dose of Pfizer on Friday. I’ll keep wearing my mask. As for planes and movie theaters, I’m not ready for that kinda activity. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/26 "2021-03-16T12:25:52Z")
Since I am more informed than 99.99% of the public about vaccines and immunology and routinely prescribe vaccines on a nearly daily basis, I plan to wait until Dr. Fauci says it’s ok to stop. Seriously, while I know a LOT, I will still defer to trusted experts. They know more, and are more current than I by far. I don’t know enough to decide on my own. Not when lives are at risk. ---
**Author:** ![Bonum\_Legatum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bonum_legatum/32/6183_2.png) [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/27 "2021-03-16T15:15:20Z")
Vaccinated and with the recommendation of experts. With two caveats. Next influenza season? Maybe I’ll return to masking. Or at least keep one handy should I be somewhere and feel the need for some protection. (Coughing person, etc.) I found that a mask is warm when I have to shovel snow, so I’ll probably make it a regular part of winter apparel. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/28 "2021-03-16T15:26:05Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > As for planes and movie theaters, I’m not ready for that kinda activity. Because you don’t think the vaccine is effective, or you just need time to adjust from pandemic behavior back to normal? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/29 "2021-03-16T15:36:46Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Well, “authorities” in states like Texas have already deemed such measures unnecessary. But the question isn’t about whether or not I wear a mask now, it’s about whether or not I’ll wear one after being vaccinated. > [@Leaper](#): > > I assume you’re not listening to them? No, I’m not. If for no other reason, what Texas says doesn’t have reflect how much of my local population has been vaccinated. > [@Leaper](#): > > If so, do you trust that nationally based experts like Fauci have more knowledge of what’s needed in your state than state-based authorities I mean, that’s literally what I said. Just to repeat the sentence that I think answers all these questions “When the local population has been vaccinated enough that the government (with Fauci’s blessing) lifts the mandates, I’m done” ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/30 "2021-03-16T15:41:47Z")
> [@Bonum\_Legatum](#): > > I found that a mask is warm when I have to shovel snow, so I’ll probably make it a regular part of winter apparel. Back when I used to ski and snowboard I’d wear a [Turtle Fur/Gaiter](https://www.amazon.com/Original-Turtle-Fur-Fleece-Heavyweight/dp/B0041VWW4G). With it covering your nose and mouth you’re breathing in warm air. There were times that I’d have to take it off or remove some layer of clothing (like the inner part of a jacket) because I’d be getting so warm. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/31 "2021-03-16T15:50:25Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Because you don’t think the vaccine is effective, or you just need time to adjust from pandemic behavior back to normal?. After a year of careful social distancing, I just don’t want to be in a crowd. Forget COVID, just the idea of being close to a bunch of randos is freaking me out. ETA: I’m not even certain what “normal” should be. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/32 "2021-03-16T15:51:11Z")
I’ll wear a mask until I’m confident of two things: a) vaccines are probably going to do a good job of protecting me against one of the variants b) the case numbers go way, way down close to what they were at the very start of the pandemic. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/33 "2021-03-16T16:31:28Z")
We’re currently still at the point where, when I see someone in a store who isn’t wearing a mask, I think, “Asshole!” Maybe they know they’re not infectious (though I doubt it), but I don’t know it. They’re defying the rules and potentially endangering the health of all the other people in the store. So, I will continue to wear a mask until such time that no reasonable person could consider me an asshole for not wearing one. (I’m assuming that will be no earlier than when I can get fully vaccinated myself, but if not, that’s also a criterion.) ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/34 "2021-03-16T16:38:49Z")
I will wear a mask for as long as I must do so to comply with regulations, the same as I stated months back. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/35 "2021-03-16T17:48:49Z")
What about private rules? Like, there’s no mask regulation in TX, but most businesses require them. ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/36 "2021-03-16T18:13:23Z")
I will continue to wear a mask for a very long time. While I’m celebrating getting my second shot today (yay me) I’m not the only one who lives in my household. As a matter of fact, my son’s school had an “emergency early release” ( they need to word that better) of students today as one student was exposed to someone outside of school who tested positive. It will be two more weeks of remote learning while everything in the school is scrubbed down. Until every person in my household is fully vaccinated… and then add on a year. Also, I’ll be keeping secondary (back up?) masks in my car going forward for many years. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/37 "2021-03-16T18:42:32Z")
IMHO, if a private business requires a mask, then as far as I’m concerned it must be complied with. Kind of like “no shirt, no shoes, no service” ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/38 "2021-03-16T18:47:17Z")
That’s pretty much my thinking as well- at some point, some threshold (cases per day, deaths per day, some % of the population vaccinated, etc…) will be reached, and the CDC/health authorities (Drs. Fauci & Hotez, et al.) will make a statement saying that we no longer have to wear masks. Until then, I’m not paying any attention to my state’s elected officials, because they’ve proven themselves more concerned about economic things than the health and safety of the state’s most vulnerable residents. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/39 "2021-03-16T18:47:38Z")
The primary function of a mask is to protect others from me, not me from them, so I will wear a mask until I believe every American has had the opportunity to get vaccinated. After that, those who choose not to get vaccinated are on their own in terms of risk. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964/40 "2021-03-16T18:51:08Z")
There’s some evidence that a mask can protect everyone from each other, so it likely benefits the wearer, too. I think the reason officials stop short of making this kind of claim is that it hasn’t been empirically tested in labs, but they’ve got some data from places like processing facilities wear people work close together and wear masks routinely to protect against microorganisms, and it appears that masks may indeed help - if nothing else, to prevent the very worst cases. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-you-continue-to-wear-a-mask-when-you-re-fully-vaccinated-and-immunized/937964.md?page=3)