Time to end the outdoor mask mandate?

[George K]

https://slate.com/technology/2021/04/masks-outside-covid-risk-low.html?te=1&nl=the-morning&emc=edit_nn_20210422

[Mik]

I think common sense prevails. If you are in Manhattan or some other crowded area, then you probably should. If you are in a small town with few people on the street or in a normal parking lot, probably not.

[LuFins Dad]

There’s an outdoor mask mandate?

[George K]

@lufins-dad said in Time to end the outdoor mask mandate?:

There’s an outdoor mask mandate?

https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/when-will-chicago-outdoor-mask-mandate-get-lifted-not-soon

It's too soon to end the mask mandate in Chicago. But with coronavirus cases reaching a plateau, Bulls and Hawks fans could be back in seats at the United Center by the end of the season, city officials said Tuesday.

Currently, nearly half of states do not require mandatory mask wearing outdoors.

When asked when to expect an end to the mask mandate requiring folks to wear face coverings outside when social distancing isn't possible, Public health commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said, "I wouldn't use the word soon just yet."

"We're at a high-risk level [for community spread of COVID-19]. Before we're really thinking about not having masks in public, I want to see a high percentage of Chicagoans vaccinated, and I really want to make sure our numbers are back down in a range where when people are out and about in public the risk of them potentially being exposed to someone with COVID is low," she said.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/pritzker-says-mask-mandate-applies-even-while-outside-walking-around/2321390/

Illinois' mask mandate applies "even outside," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday, noting that residents should still be wearing masks even if they're just walking down the street.

"Even outside, if you're outside and walking around and can't maintain social distance - which by the way, on a typical busy street in the city of Chicago, you can't maintain social distance without a mask, you just can't," Pritzker said. "People walking by each other that you're coming in close proximity to, someone who, by the way, is facing you and people in front of you who might be aspirating or they might be coughing or, you know, sneezing or whatever - those particles remain in the air. And if you don't wear a mask, and if they're not wearing a mask, then there is a much easier ability to transmit the virus."

Pritkzer noted that the statewide mask mandate doesn't only apply to public spaces indoors. He added that the outdoor concerns still matter in rural parts of the state, as well.

[kluurs]

My very conscientious spouse requires that we wear masks outside even in gale force winds and stay at least 20 feet away from other sentient life forms. Discussion is futile.

[Mik]

The key to marital harmony is know when to STFU.

[George K]

@mik said in Time to end the outdoor mask mandate?:

The key to marital harmony is know when to STFU.

"Yes dear, you were right, and I was wrong - again.

Please accept my most humble apologies. I'll be more mindful in the future."

[Jolly]

@mik said in Time to end the outdoor mask mandate?:

I think common sense prevails. If you are in Manhattan or some other crowded area, then you probably should. If you are in a small town with few people on the street or in a normal parking lot, probably not.

That's about right...