Hi @vicky58 For anyone who is immunocompromised, masks still remain one of the most helpful tools we have to avoid airborne illnesses; along with frequent handwashing, use of hand sanitizers and avoiding situations of exposure.

When our immune systems are compromised we have a difficult time fighting diseases. Even something simple like the common cold can become a major ordeal. So, whether we have cancer, or undergoing treatments, taking meds that lower our immunity, or any number of chronic diseases that reduce our ability to fight bacterial, viral or fungal infections, it’s important to try and avoid the issues altogether.

Countless studies confirm the efficacy of wearing masks to help avoid illness. People who are ill can also wear masks to avoid sharing their disease with others. It’s the polite thing to do.

Here’s an excerpt from a Mayo study. “Compared with a baseline of 1-foot separation with no masks employed, particle count was reduced by 84% at 3 feet of separation and 97% at 6 feet. A modest decrease in particle count was observed when only the receiver was masked. The most substantial exposure reduction occurred when the aerosol source was masked (or both parties were masked). When both the source and target were masked, particle count was reduced by more than 99.5% of baseline, regardless of separation distance or which type of mask was employed.”
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(21)00401-8/abstract
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It’s obviously a personal choice to wear masks. I still mask up in social settings, riding elevators, crowded events or even family gatherings if we’re in close contact. My friends and relatives are respectful of my health and ask if they should mask up too. Unless they’re ill, I say no. I’m comfortable with my level of protection with my N-95 mask.

Did you wear a mask during the major Covid outbreak?