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Gone are the days of seeing a sea of blue masks on everyone’s faces. Now you can spot a face mask from a mile away. Even I’ve become more lax. I went for a late snack run a few days ago, mask-free as I zipped through the store. At first, it felt alien, but I got used to it. 

However, when I got on the bus afterwards, the first thing I did was put on a mask. And as per usual, I was the only one wearing one. I’m sure people are wondering why. COVID is gone, right?

So, why am I still in my mask?

1. I don’t want to catch COVID again

After two years of dodging COVID, I caught it last June. It was horrible. I’d had the odd cold throughout the year, but this was something else. Initially, I thought I was just tired, but when I could barely lift my head at work I knew something was off. I woke up the next day with pain all over my body, almost like my nerve endings were on fire. I’ve never experienced anything like that in my life. It was not fun and I do not want a repeat experience. And while chances of catching COVID are much lower now, it’s still out there.

2. It makes me feel safe

I have noticed that fewer people bother me when I’m out and about with a mask on. As a woman who often walks down dark streets alone, this is a benefit. I’m also very particular about my personal space and keeping the mask on makes me feel better when I feel people are getting too close. Bonus points: I get to avoid people who don’t recognise me with the mask on!

3. I don’t need to wear makeup 

I don’t even need to explain this one. Being able to throw on a mask and not worry about whether my moustache is visible, or if my top lip is sweaty is amazing. Oh, and I can hide any pesky lower-face pimples that decide to torment me. Win!

4. I don’t want to get sick

I have a tendency to catch the bug of the moment and this has reduced drastically since I began wearing face masks. Living in a major city also comes with risks such as increased levels of pollution, and wearing a mask can help protect against that.

Final thoughts

It can be weird being the only person with a mask on, but I have become so used to it. And I see nothing wrong with protecting yourself in crowded places. I have noticed that people tend to wear masks when they’re sick – and I think that’s the main benefit – being considerate of others.