Mask Shaming is a Thing Now: How to Stand Your Ground

On our recent 4th of July trip to a furniture store my husband, my 10-year old and I were one of the few families in the store wearing masks. While no one said anything, I was still a bit self-conscious but my son's health was first priority — he's still not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the latest guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals indicate they may resume pre-pandemic activities unmasked. There is still a risk of contracting COVID-19 so it's important to be vigilant and to use common sense. The CDC latest guidelines also state that immunocompromised individuals and those with health conditions may want to continue to wear a mask and of course, masks are still required on all modes of public transportation.

While the World Health Organization (WHO) didn't release an official mask mandate, agency officials recommend wearing masks to reduce community transmission of COVID-19 and the coronavirus Delta variants. "People need to continue to use masks consistently, be in ventilated spaces, hand hygiene … the physical distance, avoid crowding. This still continues to be extremely important, even if you’re vaccinated when you have a community transmission ongoing," Dr. Mariangela Simao, WHO's assistant director-general said during a briefing in Geneva.

With the highly infectious Delta variant causing surges in many areas and with many people still not vaccinated, cities like Los Angeles have just issued a mask mandate requiring residents to mask-up in indoor public spaces, regardless of their vaccination status.

“We’re not where we need to be for the millions at risk of infection here in Los Angeles County, and waiting to do something will be too late given what we’re seeing now,” warned the county’s health officer, Dr. Muntu Davis.

But despite these warnings and the science pointing to the efficacy of masks, mask shaming exists. Anitra Allen and her family were all vaccinated in order to safely travel for her daughters' activities this summer. They all continue to wear masks.

"We all still wear masks for the most part. The side eyes and snickers don't bother me too much, even though I know the assumption is we're not vaccinated. But when someone responded to a story I posted and said 'Take that mask off. You're vaccinated, right?' I had to say something," the mom of three told Mom.com.

Just as mask mandates vary, opinions regarding them will vary as well. If we've learned anything in recent years, it's that people don't have a problem fervently expressing their opinions. The fear of experiencing mask shaming can be a significant source of anxiety for some.

Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Jenny Yip addresses this point. "This situation is a Catch-22 because if you are not wearing a mask, you're going to be anxious around other people, but if you are wearing a mask, then you're still anxious thinking that other people are judging you," she told Mom.com. "But the question is, are people actually judging you, or are you mind reading? Challenging your own thoughts is essential to combating anxiety."

So how can you respond when people do make comments? Scott Bea, PsyD, a psychologist at Cleveland Clinic, says sometimes agreeing with the person who questions your mask wearing can often throw them off guard. "Go ahead and agree with the attacker. [Say], ‘Yes, I’m going to wear a mask,’” Dr. Bea told Health. “If we agree with our attacker in that moment, it’s hard for them to keep throwing stones — it kind of puts an end to the argument." Dr. Bea also suggested walking away or removing yourself from the situation if the attacker persists.

Psychotherapist Amy Morin suggests coming up with generic a response you can have ready when people make rude comments, but also cautions against engaging with attackers. "Remember, it's not your job to educate people," Morin told VeryWellMind. "Just go about your business and if you can, move away from the person."

So, to answer the question, "should I wear a mask after vaccination?" — that depends on your local health guidelines in public situations, and your comfort level in private spaces.

Those who choose to mask up even after vaccination have their reasons — common courtesy, empathy, and the safety of others. Those who are immunocompromised or have health issues may also choose to continue to wear masks. And in our case, since the vaccine is not yet available to children under 12, we're still wearing our masks out of an abundance of caution — until clinical trials indicate the vaccine is safe for young children.

With the highly contagious Delta variant surging in almost all U.S. states, wearing a mask despite being vaccinated can also be a matter of protecting yourself from breakthrough cases, which are on the rise. Recently, entertainment reporter Catt Sadler indicated on her Instagram account that she contracted coronavirus after she had been vaccinated.

"I'm fully vaccinated and I have Covid. I'm telling you this so that you understand that the pandemic is very much NOT over," Sadler wrote. “Delta is relentless and highly contagious and grabbed ahold of me even after getting vaccinated."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that vaccinated individuals could contract COVID-19 or a variant of the virus if they were to come in contact with it. Recent guidance from the CDC states that wearing a mask in crowded settings or when engaging in activities in close proximity to others and social distancing can decrease the spread of COVID-19 but breakthrough infections are a possibility.

These are all valid reasons for continuing to wear a mask, but ultimately, other people's opinions of you are not your business. "Part of prioritizing yourself and your wellness involves creating a list of all the reasons why it's in your best interest to continue wearing your mask until you feel comfortable not needing it," Dr. Yip told Mom.com. "You don't need to justify what your reasoning may be for continuing to wear a mask."