Here in NJ, we’ve had to wear face coverings indoors in public places since early April. It is strictly enforced & I haven’t seen anyone complain about it. Want to share some things I’ve learned that others may find helpful or interesting. 1/7

When NJ enacted this requirement, medical masks were hard to get even for healthcare workers. So the rule calls for cloth or paper covering the nose & mouth. I had a stash of paper masks when the pandemic hit. I wore & reused most of these. They aren’t very comfortable. 2/7

I wear glasses that would get steamed at times when the mask shifted. The sensation of paper on my face reminded me of wearing a maxi pad. (Sorry guys.) I have switched to cloth masks from Old Navy. They are more comfortable & no eye glass steam. 3/7

My husband & son use neck gaithers cuz they don’t like the way the ear loops on masks feel. I like cloth masks best for us; they’re more comfortable & it’s great being able to wash & reuse them. 4/7

I also like getting outside to breathe fresh air, now cleaner from decreased traffic. I can really smell the roses. It is not necessary to wear a mask outdoors unless you’re going to be in a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd. 5/7

I see people wearing them while riding bikes & jogging. Or when they’re alone in their cars. The beach is probably the safest place to be unless it’s very crowded. Wearing a mask in these cases is overkill. 6/7

However, if all of us wore face coverings in public indoor places like stores & offices, we could defeat COVID without a vaccine. Many studies show transmission would be cut by 75-80%. That is enough to virtually eradicate a live virus. 7/7