Thoughts on the lifting of the US mask mandate
Travellers rejoice. The United States of America have repealed their mask mandate and the world has gone back to how it was exactly pre-2020. Throw your masks up in the air like it's your mortar board on graduation day and set them on fire never to touch one again.
That's how many people seem to be reacting to the news of the lifting of the US mask mandate. Others are indifferent, some are extremely nervous about the decision. I probably fall in the middle of this opinion spectrum.
A bit of background, I have generally erred on the side of caution when it comes to wearing masks. Since the first UK implementation of masks in July 2020, I've adhered to the rules and continued wearing masks in stores, on planes and trains. Originally this was with fabric masks but moving onwards to Korean KF94 respirator imported from the eBay-owned South Korean website Gmarket. I opted for this type because they were the type that had kept the pandemic at bay for the majority of the pandemic in South Korea but secondly are tested by the Korean FDA - whereas the Chinese KN95 are self-certified by manufacturers, leading to many failing in tests.
Firstly, at least for the immediate future, I plan to continue wearing a KF94 respirator during travel and visiting shops. I do not find it an issue and if it provides one extra level of protection, additionally to vaccination. Equally, as rules are now changing, I will respect those who wish to conduct their travels or shop visits without a mask. If anything, I would rather a person just not wear a mask than virtue signal with a chin strap.
This discussion can be had without venom and malice. Ultimately, if many of the 'protestors' in 2021 complained about their freedoms being infringed from mask wearing and vaccination earlier in the pandemic - they cannot deny people to make their own choice to wear masks now, but clearly these people who hound are in a minority.
Secondly, I do believe that this law being repealed doesn't represent a big win for consumers. The big issue is testing. Objectively, for the majority of people, wearing a mask may be uncomfortable or annoying - but it does mean one can still travel. For me, if I can travel with a mask I will go for it. Testing on the other hand is a big barrier. At least for vaccinated travellers who are less likely to get seriously ill, Covid-19 does not pose a huge threat to their health and thus not a burden on the destination's health services. Despite allowing Lateral Flow Rapid Antigen Tests, the process of having to be tested is still stressful and could derail travel plans the day before. Clearly one should not travel if you feel unwell, but the USA should follow the lead of most other Western countries that have now dropped most pre and post departure testing.
When testing is dropped, that will be a huge level of progress for inbound travel to the USA which is currently holding it back. Hopefully the United States will soon get closer to normality and your travels will get a little bit easier.
In the meantime, as I write this, I'm headed across the Atlantic on Air France La Premiere - look out for that review soon.
