Moving On (crossposted from DW)

[msconduct]

Like a lot of countries, New Zealand is "moving on" from the pandemic

Comments

[howlin_wolf_66]

Take it from somebody who's had it and would prefer to be safe wherever possible - masking up is the way to go!

[msconduct]

Thanks for your extra datapoint, and sorry you had a rough time!

[howlin_wolf_66]

I got lucky compared to lots of people - no real symptoms except feeling exhausted to the bone for a week, and not strong enough to do anything besides stare at the TV like a zombie. :-)

[annaserene]

It is jarring. I still wear a mask wherever I go, as was (is?) typical in Japan, but it's quite different here and I'm definitely in the minority. I don't understand why so few people wear masks. I realize my experience of wide-spread continuous mask-wearing since spring 2020 in Japan was indeed different compared to norms and expectations here

[msconduct]

It's a real problem knowing what to do as social norms shift and you're in a place where other people aren't masking

[annaserene]

I think a main difference is that in the U.S., the attitude or official stance basically dictated that masking is less necessary or even unnecessary once people are vaccinated, while in Japan, the stance was that regardless of vaccination, there is a pandemic so masks should be worn in public, whether you're outside or not (with some exceptions for children and sports). In Japan, bare faces stood out and there was societal pressure, though adherence wasn't perfect and I was often frustrated. Here, it's like the norm is no mask