Where are you when it comes to masking?

The conversation around masking is once again bubbling to the surface as Washington state deals with the triple threat of Covid-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

This comes at a time when the health-care system is already under immense strain.

Hospitals are often running at, or over, capacity and hospital leaders said Tuesday that they continue to see large financial losses that are starting to lead to reductions and cuts to services in some areas.

State secretary of health, Dr. Umair Shah, said there are no plans to bring back a mask mandate in Washington.

But he, and other public health officials, are urging the public to wear high-quality, well-fitting masks in public indoor spaces like grocery stores, theaters, and airports.

Throughout the various surges and seasons during the pandemic, masking habits have changed.

KUOW reached out to community members in the Puget Sound region last week to ask about their masking habits and how, if at all, the current virus season is impacting them.

For some, masking has been a constant for the past couple of years and remains so now.

“I mask indoors as much as possible. I don't feel the need to mask outdoors away from crowds. Masking to protect others is a social responsibility! We should know this much after 3 years of the pandemic! It should be common sense by now.” – George, Queen Anne

“I have never stopped masking up when leaving my house. I wear an N95 mask any time I am around other people whose status I don't know. My whole household does the same and none of us has had covid, nor the flu since the pandemic began. We don't anticipate abandoning the strict masking protocol for many years.” – Shelley, Seattle

“I am at risk of severe infection if I catch COVID (which I have so far avoided), so I have continued to mask in public throughout this pandemic. In summer months with lower transmission rates, I have removed my mask to eat in outdoor spaces; otherwise, I have been masking since the beginning of the pandemic. However, I am more alert to the masking habits of OTHERS when assessing my own risks regarding the various respiratory illnesses circulating.” – Samuel, Tacoma

“My masking habits have not changed drastically. I still see value in wearing a mask in crowded, indoor public spaces. It's comforting to see others also wearing masks, but I respect the choice the others are making for their own lives. With a 3-year-old at home, we certainly get bombarded with our fair share of germs and viruses, so adapting to mask wearing culture has been a welcome adjustment to our everyday lives.” – Kelsey, Tacoma

On the other end of the spectrum, some people said they almost never mask anymore.

“I HATE wearing a mask. I really do. And I don't especially like it when other people I'm trying to interact with wear a mask. Of course that's their choice. But it is hard to hear what people are saying with a mask on, and facial expressions are SO important. I only mask when I have to.” – Tara, Lake Forest Park.

“I don't mask up except where required such as medical facilities. That said I tend to avoid large gatherings, such as concerts, tree lightings, big sporting events etc. I have all boosters and the flu shot.” – Margaret, Everett

“I am post pandemic. I almost never mask. I did recently get a booster shot and I am aware that I risk getting Covid.” Meryl, Olympia

For many people, at this point in the pandemic, masking isn’t an all-or-nothing equation.

KUOW heard from people who wear a mask in some public settings, but not others.

“I was considering loosening up my masking before the flu and RSV came on strong. Now I'm masking up at work, in stores, and on public transit. The only indoor public space where I'm not masking up is when I go on a date to a restaurant or café, because masking just wouldn't work in that scenario. So I'm throwing caution to the wind on dates. Well, not quite. I expect that both my date and I will be healthy on the day of the date or I'll take a rain check. It's just as important, if not more, to avoid being a spreader as it is to avoid getting sick.” –Justin, Renton

“Mask up at airport and on planes. Mask up when I'm feeling sick and I'm outside of my house. Otherwise, I treat the pandemic like it is over.” – Ben, Kenmore

“I mask in stores, etc. still, but don't mask when teaching, even though I see multiple classes daily. It was becoming too difficult to keep Elementary student attention without visibility. Our 3 kids still mask (by their choice) at school & even outside sports.” – Taur, Shoreline

“I keep a mask with me, and I use it in crowded stores and on public transit. Otherwise, I don't feel the need.” – Hafizullah

Some people who are more vulnerable to severe illness from circulating viruses, or have family members who are more vulnerable, expressed that they don't feel they have the choice to drop masks.

Others also said they are conscious to put a mask on when they're around service workers who can't control their environment.

Masks remain a requirement in health-care and correctional settings across the state.

“We’re in a very difficult time right now in respiratory season,” Dr. Shah said during a media briefing Tuesday. “Now we’re really asking people to take the tools that you have at your disposal and use them effectively in order to be able to protect yourself and protect the loved ones around you, or a neighbor, or a community member, or a co-worker… and our health-care system.”

Along with masking, public health officials are asking the public to take other precautions like staying up to date with Covid-19 vaccines and boosters, getting the flu vaccine, washing hands, testing, maximizing indoor air quality, and staying home when sick.