“For those thinking about going maskless, Schaffner said feeling anxious is natural.

He compares it to patients he’s treated who were in the intensive care unit and monitored constantly. When they improved and moved to a regular floor of the hospital, he said that they often became anxious.

Expose themselves gradually to places or situations that are making you nervous, and build a hierarchy from least threatening to most threatening, suggested Hafeez.

Schaffner agreed. “Maybe first don’t wear it while walking around outside. Or don’t wear it to the grocery store, but go to the store early when fewer people are there. Or pick circumstances where you feel more comfortable without it,” he said.

Keep the mask on, if needed

If COVID-19 case numbers in your area are still high or if they go up, remember that you can still wear a mask.

“There is no law against the wearing of masks. You have the option to stay out of many events/places that you deem unsafe unless they are mandated by law or work,” Hafeez said.often became anxious.”

My Takeaways From This Article

1. As the pandemic starts easing after its two year hold, mask mandates have been uplifted and more restrictions have been eased. For many of us the transition may be very weird and awkward at first since we were so used to wearing masks pretty much everywhere we go.

2. For some of us, that awkwardness and easing of restrictions may lead to anxiety of being “uncovered” especially after one was covered for so long of a time. However, there’s ways to make it a lot easier! Doing so gradually and with health conscious intentions, one can find confidence in not wearing a mask.

3. For some of us we may really have enjoyed wearing the mask. There’s definitely no pressure or law saying you have to not wear it. As a healthcare worker I know I’ll be wearing a mask for a good time forward to do my part in still protecting those who may find COVID more dangerous to them than me.

Full article is here!

Are you excited that the mask mandates have been easing? What is something you’re looking forward to doing once again that you did before the pandemic?

#COVID #Masks #Health