A bit of a rant but I think it deserves its own thread… please respond if you are experiencing this as well.
Our state, (NC) has just hit 1,000,000 cases and 13,000 deaths. With the emergence of effective vaccines, we are now, more than ever, hopeful for a re-integration into our normal lifestyles (pre-covid). The CDC has recently updated its guidelines stating those who are fully vaccinated are allowed to remove their masks in designated public areas. Our family has not hit the 2-week threshold yet, so we maintain our mask procedure. I am sure other families are like this but, at the gym today, I saw MAYBE 5 people with a mask on. I mean NOBODY was wearing a mask. At first, I shrugged off the concern thinking I might live in a heavily vaccinated sample population. But it is becoming apparent that this is not the case.
Is anybody else experiencing this? Where?
I understand wearing a mask is uncomfortable and I understand wearing a mask during a workout may impede on the overall quality of time spent at the gym. But if you have not been fully vaccinated, please do not take your mask off just because it looks as if the storm is over. Thanks!!
Not specifically about the gym but definitely stores and restaurants in our part of NY. We are all fully vaccinated (DH, D20, me) but we all still wear masks everywhere. D20 is working in a store that has taken the stance of being non confrontational and shoppers and staff are all on the honor system. She works in a department with someone who is not vaccinated, no longer wearing a mask, and proud of the fact no one can do anything about it. We are all assuming that all folks with masks are vaccinated and the folks who resisted vaccines are the same folks resisting masks. YMMV…
My husband was getting ready to return to our gym following vaccination and noticed almost no one was wearing a mask. He decided to leave and return another day. Same thing. And this was when the mask mandate was still in place. We canceled our membership.
Here in CA we still required to mask up indoor. Everyone at the gym have masks on but many have it below noses. Personally, I would not be going to the gym until 2 weeks past second dose. It’s difficult to work out with mask so I can’t wait when masks will not be required by mid June.
Oh good lord, yes, but way way worse. It was like that when masks were mandatory at the gym “except when actively working out.” I would say at least 80% (and that’s being generous) took that to mean wear it past the front desk, leave it in a locker until you walk past the desk on the way out.
Now, I barely even see that and I admit I don’t wear mine now. I’m 2.5 months past full vaccination.
But that is why I scaled back my gym time by at least 75% (lifting at home and just doing cardio there when my legs needed a break from running) and shifted two of my days to Saturday and Sunday at 4:30am. Many times I was the only one there and usually between 3-5 others (in a 30,000 SF building)
At our gym, you are allowed to go maskless if you’re fully vaccinated. I am fully vaccinated. The vast majority of people are going maskless – including one woman I know who’s not yet two weeks post-second vaccine.
I’m not wearing a mask at the gym anymore, but I feel protected.
My husband and son both go to the gym regularly. They have reported that on their most recent visits there were no masks at all. They are both very happy about this.
People who go to gyms may also be the first to get in line when it is their turn to get vaccinated, I would think. But my gym does require masks until June 11 or so.
Mid-June happens to be about six weeks (Moderna timeline from first dose to fully vaccinated) past the date when vaccines became readily available in most parts of California. By then, there may be the prevailing assumption that unvaccinated people are generally those who are voluntarily unvaccinated (as opposed to those trying to get vaccinated but not finished with the five to six week timeline*). As in “let them play COVID-19 lottery among themselves.”
*Yes, the J&J - Janssen vaccine has only a two week timeline, but availability is close to none due to manufacturing problems.
Our gym dropped the mask requirement on 5/24, but many are still wearing them. I think our gym did a really good job during the pandemic/prior to 5/24.
I’ll admit, I stopped going on weekends. It’s a huge facility with lots of team sports and I didn’t like what I saw from the families in attendance for hockey, basketball, whatever tournament. It was better for my blood pressure not to be there on weekends during most of the last year.
Daughter and SIL live in a fairly high end apartment in the Boston area. Both are fitness fanatics and their building gym was closed. Turns out just by chance a HS friend of my daughter worked for Peloton and got them a $400 discount. They now have access 24/7
The end of mask mandates are being trumpeted in the media, but what’s often left out is the fine print: IF YOU ARE VACCINATED! The mandates are only lifted IF YOU ARE VACCINATED. I for one do not believe that everyone who is maskless is vaccinated. If they want to get themselves sick, then go for it.
Washington Post reported that the rate of infection among the unvaccinated is no lower than it was months ago. The vaccinated are safe, while the unvaccinated are infecting each other at the same rate as when this all started.
The notices on retail doors here say Masks are recommended for those who aren’t vaccinated. There is no longer a mask mandate for most businesses. Medical offices, pharmacies, events for over 500 people, schools still have masks mandates for all, even those who are vaccinated.
My state still has mask mandate. I’ve been back at the gym for about 8 months. At first only outdoor spaces were open but as numbers dropped more areas opened.
When I go to the gym I’m asked a series of questions, my temperature gets taken. Mask is required until I’m at my workout space ( which is outside). When my class is over we put our masks back on. If one is interested in working out indoors the gym requires that you keep a mask on. The indoor pool just reopened by reservation only. Of course you can’t swim with a mask on.
My gym has been closed since March 2020. It says it will reopen July 1. Proof of vaccination will be required as will be social distancing and masks. I’m only interested in the pool and wonder how masking will work out there. They’re not very smart at this particular fitness facility. I await developments with considerable interest. I’m fully vaccinated so it doesn’t matter to me whether people mask or don’t mask. Just open the pool already.
My daughter goes to the gym daily, in Delaware she said no more masks in the gym, the same here in New Jersey, however most are still wearing them inside in stores here.
I play tennis outdoors. We (finally) don’t need to wear the mask when playing. (Actually, an older man keeled over complaining he couldn’t breathe with the mask on. After that warnings were placed at the lobby about feeling lightheaded when playing with the mask.)
It’s hot now. Wearing the mask is hot. It’s harder to draw a long breath when sprinting around the court. And outdoors there is no risk.
No masks required at our gym any longer for fully vaccinated. Honor system. The one I go to is open 24/7. I just go when it is least crowded which actually is about 1:30 in the afternoon. Of course, I haven’t checked 1:30 a.m.