NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Mask mandates have been lifted for the vaccinated in most indoor spaces in New York, Connecticut and other states that have officially adopted the CDC's new rules on face coverings and social distancing.
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, but are we ready?
"I liken it to a bear coming out of hibernation and blinking," said Dr. Therese Rosenblatt, a Westchester psychologist. "We're a little groggy, we're a little anxious, we're not used to the bright lights, the people, the risks."
In New York, those who are fully vaccinated can stop social distancing and go maskless outside and in most indoor situations, while the unvaccinated and immunocompromised must continue to cover up and maintain six feet of distance.
Masks will still be required in some settings regardless of vaccination status, including schools, mass transit, health care facilities, nursing homes and homeless shelters.
Private businesses and venues can also set their own rules.
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WCBS 880's Sophia Hall visited Huntington Village to gauge people's feelings about the new guidance and ditching the mask.
Clark Ruggeri, the owner of hemp retailer Endo Ethos, was washing the windows of his store without a mask on, but said he will take steps to make sure customers are comfortable.
"We're going to have a sign on the door that says 'Just ask and we'll mask,' because I'm happy to put a mask on when a customer comes in because I don't want to make anybody feel uncomfortable," said Ruggeri, who is vaccinated.
One man, named Adam, who also is vaccinated, still carries his mask in his pocket just in case businesses require fully vaccinated people to wear them.
"I feel like it's still kind of iffy where you don't know what to do exactly. Worst comes to worst, I'll have one handy," Adam said.
Another man was still wearing his mask.
"Many establishments still require them here and I'm comfortable with it on, I don't understand what the fuss was that people didn't want to wear them," he said. "I haven't seen anybody indoors without one today. Not here. I was in Arizona last week, I saw a lot of unmasked people, and outside I'd say people are generally not wearing them."
He believes it may have been too soon to stop wearing masks indoors.
"It might be a little soon, because undoubtedly, the unvaccinated will stop wearing masks indoors too," he said.
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Hesitating to take off the mask is perfectly normal, says Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a New York City-based neuropsychologist.
She tells WCBS 880's Marla Diamond that fear doesn't go away easily.
"We are supposed to be cautious and vigilant when we don't know what's happening around us. This virus really took us on a roller coaster ride," she said. "There's just so much still up in the air."
Among those concerns are more contagious variants, children who are still unvaccinated and some of the fear may come from distrust of government.
"I think people haven't forgotten how the CDC initially told us that the general public doesn't need masks," Hafeez said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said people should continue to use good judgement when it comes to wearing masks in some situations, since many people are still unvaccinated. And city health commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi said he'll still have his mask on in indoor public spaces.
"While I'm fully vaccinated, I'll be keeping my mask on indoors in almost all settings," Chokshi said.
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Just as we got used to the masks, Hafeez said we'll adjust to life without them by making small changes depending on your comfort level.
"Just take it one step at a time and keep assessing and reassessing," Rosenblatt said.
Her advice is the same as it was when the mask mandates were first implemented: follow the science.
Dr. Anthony Fauci tells Axios that many Americans are "misinterpreting" the new CDC mask guidance.
He stresses only vaccinated people can ditch the masks and people who have yet to get their shots should continue to cover up.
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