Two years to the day the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, B.C. lifted its indoor mask mandate for most settings.
Much like the end of testing on demand, it is another tangible sign of our public health leaders moving on to a less restrictive phase in dealing with the virus.
Some will welcome the change as a breath of fresh air. For those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, this will feel like an abrogation of responsibility from Dr. Bonnie Henry. Wearing a mask is such a small inconvenience when it could be a matter of life and death for someone else.
For two years, it was drilled into us to assume we are all just one exhalation away from passing the virus on to someone at risk of serious illness, and to act accordingly. It could be, with the Omicron variant’s shorter incubation period and lower likelihood of hospitalization, that’s no longer prudent public health advice. Henry may know that, but it’s going to take time for the rest of us to adjust.
A stroll around most supermarkets since the mandate was lifted will find the wide majority of people are still masking up, which is good. Businesses are still able to require masks for anyone inside. If that’s the case, you should have one in your pocket or purse, ready to don, without complaint.
Inevitably, we’re all going to find ourselves in close quarters with someone whose position on masks is different from our own. When that happens, default to Henry’s best advice of the last two years: Be kind. Be calm. Be safe.
