Why is everyone in Austin wearing masks OUTSIDE? (San Antonio, Anton: fit in, Home Depot)

[Jdevelop5]

I just got back from another city and have noticed something peculiar in Austin. 99% of people are wearing masks OUTSIDE in Austin? I’m not talking about on busy downtown sidewalks or restaurant patios. I’m talking about in Home Depot and HEB parking lots where there isn’t another person close by. The city I was in has 99% mask compliance indoors but people remove their masks upon going outside.

Can someone explain this thought process/logic? There is no reputable scientific or public health source that recommends wearing masks outside where social distancing is possible. What am I missing? I’ve also noticed a lot of people in Austin wearing masks while driving alone. What’s the reasoning?

[ashbeeigh]

Just being safe, probably. I don’t take off my mask until I get to the car when I’m out. I don’t wear one to walk the dog or when I’m exercising outside. I might just forget to take my mask off in the car. Or, if I’m out shopping and moving from one space in the parking lot to another I won’t take off my mask. I think you’re just being overly observant in a new city. Differences are heightened when you go somewhere new. Even when I make the trip to San Antonio there’s things I notice and think, “hmm, why do they do it that way?” “Or oh dear, GOD why do they talk like that?”

[Idlewile]

Originally Posted by Jdevelop5

I just got back from another city and have noticed something peculiar in Austin. 99% of people are wearing masks OUTSIDE in Austin? I’m not talking about on busy downtown sidewalks or restaurant patios. I’m talking about in Home Depot and HEB parking lots where there isn’t another person close by. The city I was in has 99% mask compliance indoors but people remove their masks upon going outside.

Can someone explain this thought process/logic? There is no reputable scientific or public health source that recommends wearing masks outside where social distancing is possible. What am I missing? I’ve also noticed a lot of people in Austin wearing masks while driving alone. What’s the reasoning?

What a strange thing to be focused on. And I don't think you've gotten out much because there's nothing peculiar about it. It's not so black and white, like 90/10, 70/30... wearing masks in lots. Most people wear them in parking lots where I live, some take the off but those people are also handling them incorrectly. I see many people out for walks, with no intention of going indoors, wearing masks. So what?

[Need4Camaro]

I'll take that over many parts of the southern states outright not wearing it period.

[Jdevelop5]

Originally Posted by Idlewile

What a strange thing to be focused on. And I don't think you've gotten out much because there's nothing peculiar about it. It's not so black and white, like 90/10, 70/30... wearing masks in lots. Most people wear them in parking lots where I live, some take the off but those people are also handling them incorrectly. I see many people out for walks, with no intention of going indoors, wearing masks. So what?

Not strange at all! If there is some public health information that I have missed then I would like to know! If not, then Austinite’s are wearing masks in places that provide no public health or personal benefit but inflict societal harm. When people are further limited from seeing others smile and facial expressions real
impacts are created. When everyone wears a mask in the outdoors, a sense of unwarranted doom and fear is created. These create real impacts on people’s mental health.

What a strange think to wear a mask covering your mouth and nose for an outdoor walk with no intention of going inside! Again, unless I have missed some study or evidence showing there to be some benefit in doing so.

[Jdevelop5]

Originally Posted by Need4Camaro

I'll take that over many parts of the southern states outright not wearing it period.

I just returned from Birmingham Alabama and I would say indoor mask wearing is at 99%. Where in the south are people not wearing masks?

[Trainwreck20]

Originally Posted by Jdevelop5

I just got back from another city and have noticed something peculiar in Austin. 99% of people are wearing masks OUTSIDE in Austin? I’m not talking about on busy downtown sidewalks or restaurant patios. I’m talking about in Home Depot and HEB parking lots where there isn’t another person close by. The city I was in has 99% mask compliance indoors but people remove their masks upon going outside.

Can someone explain this thought process/logic? There is no reputable scientific or public health source that recommends wearing masks outside where social distancing is possible. What am I missing? I’ve also noticed a lot of people in Austin wearing masks while driving alone. What’s the reasoning?

Okay, a bit of hyperbole here, I think, because I live in an area of town that is very 'pro-mask' and only a few people wear them outside when they are not near anyone else.

I wear mine in my car occasionally - driving from one store to another, or just forget to take it off on the way home from HEB. It really is quite simple to just leave it on, since there is no hurry to take it off. It is hardly noticeable.

[tiffngio]

I was in Destin Florida the week of the hurricane. Almost no one was wearing masks...INSIDE or OUT.

[Jdevelop5]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

Okay, a bit of hyperbole here, I think, because I live in an area of town that is very 'pro-mask' and only a few people wear them outside when they are not near anyone else.

I wear mine in my car occasionally - driving from one store to another, or just forget to take it off on the way home from HEB. It really is quite simple to just leave it on, since there is no hurry to take it off. It is hardly noticeable.

I need to find one of your masks! Mine are so uncomfortable that I can’t with to rip it off as soon as I’m outdoors. What style do you have?

[riaelise]

Originally Posted by Jdevelop5

Not strange at all! If there is some public health information that I have missed then I would like to know! If not, then Austinite’s are wearing masks in places that provide no public health or personal benefit but inflict societal harm. When people are further limited from seeing others smile and facial expressions real
impacts are created. When everyone wears a mask in the outdoors, a sense of unwarranted doom and fear is created. These create real impacts on people’s mental health.

What a strange think to wear a mask covering your mouth and nose for an outdoor walk with no intention of going inside! Again, unless I have missed some study or evidence showing there to be some benefit in doing so.

You're being a tad melodramatic here. There is no "harm" to society in not seeing my face and who cares if someone sees my smile or not. I don't smile much anyway and my facial expressions can be very clear - my lowered eyebrows mean I'm pissed off and there's a person's body language.

Wearing a mask reduces risk of airborne transmission. You don't know what the person's health is. If they choose to wear a mask outside, does it REALLY matter?

Good grief I don't know what the big deal is about a mask. Thank God Ebola didn't make it over here. We'd all be bleeding to death.