Some say will continue wearing masks despite lifting of mandate

Masks are no longer required anywhere in King County, a day before COVID-19 restrictions are lifted across the state.

King County’s health officer lifted the mask mandate today, a day ahead of the state because 70% of eligible county residents are fully vaccinated.

But some people are saying “not so fast.”

It’s amazing.  Most people KIRO 7 talked to said they aren’t ready to give up masks — even though most of them can.

The signs have started coming down.  The mask mandate to fight COVID-19 is now history in King County.

Or is it?

“Even though they say that, it all depends on where I’m at,” said Robin Neeley of Seattle. “Walking up and down the street, I can go without a mask.  But if I’m, like I’m getting ready to go in there (grocery story), get me something to eat, I’m going to put on a mask.”

“We still don’t know when our booster vaccinations are going to be due,” said Leah Sprinkle of Seattle. “And I don’t want to be the person who exposes myself to COVID and then put one of my family members or someone I love or don’t know at risk.”

“If it’s pretty crowded, I would probably still wear a mask,” said Tricia Eugenio, a Los Angeles resident visiting Seattle. “I’m a nurse, so I have seen the effects of COVID.”

The end of the mask mandate is not welcome news at the Lifelong Thrift Store whose mission is serving the HIV-positive community.

“The decision to keep enforcing the mask policy is such a big deal for my staff, for the customers, for the community,” said Tamara Asakawa, executive director. “And so, I have been stressing out so bad for weeks.”

And Asakawa said there isn’t much support from the state, county or even city.

“Right now, it says on the website, it does say we have, we can make the decision to do that,” she said of whether to require masks.

But that places the burden on her, she said.

“Exactly, exactly,” said Asakawa, “not public officials who originally started this, but the business owners. And dealing with the public is — we’ve been fortunate.  But it can be very stressful.”

This Real Change vendor said she has been told she has to wear a mask if she is working, no matter the mask mandate.

So it sounds as though a lot of people won’t be giving up masks just yet.

©2021 Cox Media Group