I know how you feel! I went to CVS yesterday, and while the clerks were all wearing masks, and there was a large sign as you enter saying that masks are required, I was shocked to be the only customer wearing one.

They can't miss the sign as they enter, but no one even had one hanging around their neck, let alone on the face. Young women, a man in his 30's, who was filthy and buying diapers and Similac, even an older woman. I couldn't wait to get out of there.

I've been to the supermarket to pick up my order, the drive through drugstore and my local nursery and almost everyone is wearing a mask - the suburbs of Philadelphia. Some stores have signs - "No mask, no service"

Here in the NY suburbs people are being really good about wearing masks at the stores. You do have to wear them in stores here, but I don't see any "rebels" out there.

I live in a county in Florida that has made it mandatory for people to wear masks when in commercial establishments. There has been much debate about this requirement and lawsuits threatened. This week the county revisited this requirement and commissioners voted to recind their order and replace it with "strongly recommended". Up until that time, I felt relatively safe going about my business (Publix, Trader Joe's, etc.) as the vast majority of people were wearing masks as required. When I heard about the vote, I decided I would pull back again as it just doesn't make sense to me to expose myself needlessly.

However...that same afternoon the county commission met with the city commissioners who strongly disagreed with the decision as they had been hearing from business owners who felt that serving the public was safer for their employees and customers when everyone wore a mask. It was a compelling argument and the county voted to reverse their decsion of that very morning. I felt relieved and realized everyone wearing a mask is the one thing that makes me feel safer when I am out in public. I wish there were consistent policy to support this effort - it feels like a true win-win all the way around.

I agree, in CT, I see everyone in masks. The exception, people out for walks.

I went to the nursery to buy plants yesterday and there was a sign as you entered that said mask required and to keep 6' apart. I didn't see anyone without a mask. I don't go out too much to know what it looks like anywhere else. I wear my mask because it's the right thing to do but I dislike wearing it. I would normally love to spend time just strolling through the garden center but I just wanted to get my plants and get out of there so I could take the mask off.

I posted this on Lukki's thread from the KT side, before I saw this one:

I have a mask story to add (not a rant ,
since none of my loved ones were endangered). A few weeks ago, I ran
into an old friend. She lives, and works, in the small village where I
grocery shop, and we were both there during designated senior hours.
She recognized me, although I was wearing a mask, but she wasn't wearing
one. I asked if she had a mask, and she said that she had only one,
disposable, which she was saving for the days she had to take her father
to his medical appointments.

I asked if she'd like me to make her a fabric mask, and she
graciously accepted. I dropped it off to her the same day, with some
shop towel filters, as I was on my way to drop off my father's
groceries. Today, as I was leaving the grocery store, she was
arriving--sans mask. I jokingly asked why she wasn't wearing her mask,
and she said that she didn't think she needed it unless she was in close
quarters with others. When I pointed out that by wearing a mask she was
protecting others, she responded that she didn't need it because she's
"been good."

I'm disappointed that I gave her one of my nice, 600TC Egyptian cotton face masks, and she doesn't wear it. :[

At least she has it if she changes her mind.

I would estimate that only about 20% of people are wearing masks where I live, and I am out fairly regularly. Unfortunately as late as early April the Chief Public Health Officer for Canada was saying that masks were not recommended for the general public and could cause more harm than good. She's changed her tune now, but this is the latest issue she has sort of flip-flopped on, and I'm not sure if that is affecting what advice people take to heart. Granted, I live in a very safe area, the safest in North America I believe (my province has had 2 new cases in the last 20+ days, 0 cases currently active, 0 deaths), and we are moving into Phase III of reopening. Local government is asking people to wear masks when in a situation where physical distancing cannot be achieved (ie: public transportation). It will be interesting to see where we are at in 5-9 days.

Masks required in businesses in Montgomery County PA, by state order. And some stores, like Costco, require masks, too. Makes me feel good.

Most of the customers and all of the employees I saw in the grocery store were wearing masks. The young man bagging groceries had a mask on his chin. Seriously, the top of the mask was resting under his bottom lip. Why bother?!

OP here...Publix was quick to answer my concerns. They are contacting the manager of the store to address the issue of improper mask usage by the associates. They also said that they had no control over vendors Or customers because of local ordinances.

edited: I can not thank all the people who have responded for some reason. So ’thank you’!

I am in a small suburb 10 minutes from Portland, OR. I have only been to Trader Joe's and my local market, no large grocery stores. Everyone has worn a mask. I have seen a few runners and walkers wearing masks even though no one is within 10 feet at least. I don't wear a mask when I am exercising outdoors but do carry one in my pocket just in case.

I just made my first voyage out since mid-March. I braved Walmart since I needed mostly all non-edible stuff. I was masked and I would guess about 75% of the people I saw had a mask on. All employees were masked although many of them had the mask pulled down to expose their nose. I was in and out quick and don't plan any outings again soon. At least I remembered how to drive - I was worried about that. 🤪

Here in SW Ohio I have seen a huge decline in the number of people wearing masks since things started to open back up. It is beyond frustrating 😡

I'm in a small city in TN. Between 3 larger cities. As my city is unincorporated, there is no city government, only from the counties. We are starting phase 2 of reopening Monday. As of yesterday, the public health department showed that the largest of the 3 big cities has 2 cases of COVID hospitalized. There are still active cases, but only 2 of those in hospitals. The other two cities each have 1 smaller hospital and I'm not sure of their rates. From what I've heard, similar. I have not been anywhere that "requires" a mask. Of course, I have only been to the store, market, drugstore and an outside flower/plant center, other than rides in the car. My husband has been to a few businesses for deliveries or installations and there have been requirements of masks, etc. which he has followed of course. I have not been out since my last visit to the store. All employees are required to wear masks. I have not noticed vendors. Those shopping, I would guess 50/50 masks or maybe 60/40 or so. I see a good many masks, but I see many without. If I go to the store and it looks crowded, I leave. Most I have encountered are good about the distancing, but there is always that SOMEONE. Last grocery visit it was a mom and FOUR teens/pre-teens with her. I do not understand that. They congregated in the aisle and twice I turned around and went the other direction, so I finally got to where we were not passing each other. All in all, I think our area is doing pretty good, but as tourists come back in, it will be interesting. We are two weeks passed phase one starting (as of yesterday) and there are still new cases, but rates have dropped greatly. One day there was only 1 new case.

I’ll let you know after my Publix grocery run in just a little while. I havent been in over a week as we’ve been trying to use some of our freezer stock plus some homemade tomato sauce in the freezer. Overall I am seeing a great decline in the use since things have been opening up and the kiddos have finished their home schooling.

I did go for a haircut yesterday and they require masks so everyone I saw complied. They did no shampooing and said to come with my hair shampooed at home. Also no blow drying. Apparently it was a recommendation of the state board of cosmetology, so for now they are following that recommendation. My hairdresser said that might change after a couple of weeks. I was ok with that.

Texas here, sorry to say that I’m seeing less and less masks when I’m out. More places have started opening, and the majority of people in my town believe everything was exaggerated, things are fine, don’t infringe on my rights, bleat bleat. Sigh.

Maybe 5% wear a mask here, makes me mad that they are endangering the health of the workers and customers. I went back to work on Sat and out of 60 customers only two wore a mask. I did see at a local store a sign saying vendors must wear masks in the store. The clerks were wearing masks.

DH & I went to WalMart on Tuesday to pick up some RX's.... I'd say mask wearing is about 50/50. All of the clerks had them, and from those I saw, they were wearing them correctly.

It's the customers that are so aggravating. No masks, don't seem to follow the directional arrows on the aisles, and the cautionary guidelines in place don't apply to them. Selfish and inconsiderate are just a few adjectives I can think to describe them.

Our governor won't make it mandatory. One of the small towns north of OKC did make it mandatory and a group got together and tried to sue the city. So they removed the "mandatory" and "strongly suggested and encouraged." The same idiots that won't wear masks are the ones that are out in large groups partying and refusing to social distance. All about me generation!!

/okay, rant over.

Southeast Michigan - nobody in our neighborhood wears them while out for walks, but everyone gives space to others while walking. Many people sit at the end of driveways to visit with neighbors (distance is WELL over 6 feet). I’ve only been inside a store twice (Costco). The first time everyone I saw wore a mask (or shield). Yesterday I saw one woman without a mask. This was at Costco so I was surprised that she wasn’t stopped by an employee since they seem to have a strict policy. Early on, curbside pickup employees were hit or miss with masks. Lately, all of them have had masks on. But I have seen many people walking in and out of grocery stores without masks.

In our little town, masks are mandatory while in a public place of business. If the business allows someone in without a mask, the manager on duty is personally subject to $1,000 fine. I’ve read that our police are making visits to help merchants understand the ordinance.

All of my information is second-hand. I have not been inside a store since March 13th.

I have an appointment for spa services in 2 weeks. My appointment is the first of the day so everything will be freshly cleaned and there will have been considerable time between the last customer and me. I‘ve been told I will be required to wear a mask and to wait in my car until I’m called to come in. Nevertheless, it is giving me an anxiety attack.

In the big city where we live masks are pretty prevalent at the grocery stores - about the only place I go. In the more rural area where our lake cabin is masks are much less common and people are much less conscious of keeping their distance. Stores are slow to put up the cashier barriers.

There are very few cases in the rural area but that is likely to change as all the city dwellers come to their lake homes. I suspect it’s the city people wearing most of the masks and cautiously keeping their distance because we are used to doing so.

bbstx - not sure what spa services you’re having but if the thought was giving me an anxiety attack I would skip them. I now have a haircut scheduled in a couple weeks - so far no anxiety about that. The precautions described give me some confidence. We’ll see what it’s actually like when I’m there.

Very distressing to see many people not wearing masks. From the beginning people have packed popular walking trails without masks and not distancing. What are they thinking? We did curbside pickup the other day. The parking lot was full with people coming and going without masks. Saw a woman and her 6 or 7 year old emerge from the store no masks.

Was dismayed when the clerk came with our order not wearing a mask. Same with the high end steakhouse we ordered from last week. Grrrr. Businesses serving the public should make sure all employees are wearing masks.

I think if there had been a national mandate from the beginning we would have the virus under control or close to it. A doctor yesterday said those professions wearing masks—firefighters, police, even doctors and nurses on the front lines, have a much lower rate of Covid. A study in Hong Kong states that wearing masks reduced contact transmission by up to 75%.

When so many people aren’t wearing masks it inhibits others from being able to get out a little—-the elderly, people with health issues. I just don’t get the reasoning for not wearing a mask on errands. It’s not too much to ask.

In my area (Boston suburb) it is now shocking to me to see anyone not wearing a mask. So weird how it’s become normal to wear a mask! It is “law” here that you have to wear masks indoors in public places, and outdoors if you can’t maintain 6’ distance. I haven’t seen anyone in a store without a mask (granted, I go in a store once a week at most). I have been to the garden store (which is all outside) and everyone has a mask on, shoppers and employees. One-way arrows on the ground, 6’ marks in the checkout line.

When I go on walks, I’d say 90% of other walkers are at least wearing them around their necks, to be popped on in case they get close to anyone.

I just came back from the grocery and more and more people are wearing them The check-out people weren't wearing them before but the one I went through was wearing one. They do have plexiglass shields.

With more and more places open and so more social crossing i think the chances of getting it are going up, regardless of how diligent one may be.

3katz, the more I think about it, the more I’m thinking I should do just that which is necessary. I have read that the less time you are exposed to other people, the better. I will make a decision next week.

So we are back from our grocery run. Publix wasn’t as crowded as I usually find it. And I was also surprised to find most people were masked. Overall I would say it was it was a big increase from previous trips with around 80% masked. Maybe I will start shopping in the early afternoon.

Pretty much everyone is wearing a mask in my NYC neighborhood and also being very good about not getting close to one another. Smaller stores are limiting the number of customers allowed in, and people are patiently waiting outside until someone leaves. There are some bicyclists and runners who are not wearing masks, and many people are vigorously debating the rights and wrongs of that on neighborhood accounts like Nextdoor, but it's very rare to see anyone walking on the street without a mask on. I go to the park every day and once you find a spot far away from other people it seems okay to sit down on the grass and take your mask off for a bit. I do wear my mask when I ride my bike and I don't love it, but it is what it is!

As I posted earlier today, I went grocery shopping during senior hour (7:00-8:00am). Early this afternoon my sister called to tell me something was on sale at a smaller store near me, so I went to the bank, and stopped at the smaller store. All the store employees were wearing masks, but I didn't see one other customer--of a dozen or so-- with a mask. I saw on the Ohio DOH website today that there were almost 250 more new cases reported today than yesterday--484 to 731. I hope that doesn't become a trend.

I forgot to mention--earlier today was the first time I've seen a child at the grocery store since this all started. A boy about 11 or 12 was helping his grandmother shop, and both were wearing masks. :)

Masks are mandatory in grocery stores and pharmacies and any other essential business in our area. When I walk outdoors in the mornings, I'd say 50% of the people I pass who are walking or riding bicycles are wearing masks (runners do not). All grounds workers and construction workers are wearing masks. Furthermore, everyone swings out widely as space permits to allow 6 feet between. Except runners. When people are out and about in our neighborhood on the weekends, I'd say about 40% of people wear them, often including young children. If I didn't see people wearing masks in an indoor space, I'd be very alarmed. I'm now conditioned to see or expect certain things in this "new order," and masks are among them.

hatethecold, I'm in Wayne County, Ohio and lots of rebels here to the point of arrogance.

I’m also in the suburbs of Philadelphia and absolutely everyone is wearing a mask except for out walking or biking. So far I have been to the grocery store, drug store and some nurseries and all require a mask to enter. I feel like the six foot rule is sliding, though. It’s hard to stay six feet away from others in the grocery store, although mostly I do. Still, people come along and reach right around me to grab something.

In Salt Lake City UT it definitely depends on the the location. Whole Foods it seems like 95% of people are wearing masks, all employees and nearly all customers. Other traditional grocery stores seem to still be the majority, maybe 60-75%. Few wear masks walking or biking in the suburbs. There is no reason you need to get within 6ft of someone in the 'burbs near me if you're out exercising. My rec center recently opened for lap swimming outdoors, weight lifting, and cardio. (I go to swim.) All the employees and maybe half of the customers enter wearing masks (as requested). I went to a plant nursery today and probably 75% of people were wearing masks. I probably won't be hiking for a bit because most of the trails are tight and people are crowding outdoor activities near the city because no one wants to be doing anything indoors in groups and people are stir crazy and ready to get out.

I actually saw a big improvement in masks in last week's expeditions... with one notable exception. At my local specialty market I was surprised to see all the staff behind the meat and deli counter without masks. And this is not a spacious supermarket, but a specialty butcher and market. Of all places you'd think you'd see masks, especially the sandwich station.

Schoolhouse, we were in another town last week to pick up dinner and not only were people not wearing masks, we saw some people hugging! It seemed as if they were intentionally flaunting the rules

Masks are required in buildings in state atm. People aren't being admitted without them. Some places already put this in place before the state did.

I don't understand why some folk get testy about this, even if it is just the establishment, not even the state itself.

I mean, do we see protests over "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service"?

I'm not wearing one when I walk outdoors, but if I lived in an urban or suburban area, I certainly would! Pre-COVID, there's maybe be one other person walking on the road anytime I was walking, if that - it is the same now, and easy to stay apart from each other.

I live in VA just outside of DC and almost everyone wears a mask. Very rarely are there people without. While some of areas in Va Are opening up ours has not. Our numbers are still going up. I go shopping about every two weeks and only during senior hours. I won’t go to Wegmans because they are to crowded and no senior hours. I have ventured into local nurseries to get to get my flower hauls. They are outdoors and not crowed.

DH and I walked the trail around the reservoir that abuts our neighborhood this morning (CT). The reservoir is about 150 acres, with 3.5 mile trail around it so plenty of space to socially distance. We didn't wear our masks, but were very surprised to discover that we were about the only two out walking who weren't masked! I admit to feeling a little embarrassed!

I live in Seattle and mask wearing at indoor public spaces has become a govt directive. people are honoring that fairly well. but as for exercising outside? very few mask wearers.

in my area, there are miles and miles of beautiful residential streets where it's easy to stay very clear from others -- so that's where I'm taking my daily walks sans mask. but parks and trails are a little too crowded so I stay away. I miss them but feel fortunate that I have so many other options to choose from.