PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Now that Philadelphia has lifted its mask mandate, some people have mixed feelings about being allowed to uncover their faces.
Vaccinated people in the city no longer have to wear masks both indoors or outdoors, but Anthony Freeman of South Philly said going without a mask doesn't feel right just yet.
"I'm real cautious so I'm not taking off my mask just yet," he said, "and I am fully vaccinated."
Jeanne Rollins said she's still trying to make sense of all the information she's been getting.
"Right now, they say this demographic did this, and I'll put it all together and I'm not going to be anyone’s statistic, so I'm going with what I feel," she said.
Rollins said she thinks it's a good thing vaccinated people no longer have to wear masks, but she won't take hers off.
But David Sank is confident in the expert advice that says it's okay for vaccinated individuals to go maskless.
"Once I could take it off, I'm not wearing it," he declared.
He did admit, however, he wouldn't leave the mask at home.
"In fact, when I go in stores or I'm going in elevators, I carry it in my back pocket," he shared. "I've been putting it on when I need to put it on, but I'm fine in an outdoor space like this."
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Randall Blakeney of Frankford said he has his mask with him because it just feels strange to be without it.
"I'm used to having it on, so I feel almost like naked," he said. "Do you know what I mean?"
While cases are down, Philadelphia's acting health comissioner, Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, is reminding people that they still need to get vaccinated and that COVID-19 isn't over.
The mask mandate is expected to end in the suburbs by June 28.