This was back on Good Friday (haven't had time until now to post my experience), to buy food for Easter Sunday. I sat in my car before I went in, determined not to wear a mask again, said a prayer to God asking for strength, and for St. Michael the Archangel to defend me against the "mask Nazis and any demons inside these people." I'm just a young woman so of course I was scared of getting harassed and even physically pushed around for not wearing a mask. I told myself "Hold your head high, don't look down, don't appear meek and timid, stay strong, hold your ground..."
I walked in and immediately was greeted by a worker. He wore a mask but he said "Hello" very cheerfully. I was a little taken aback that he said anything to me so I quickly said "Hi" and walked on. Came across A LOT of workers in there (more than usual, they were restocking), all wearing masks and NONE said anything to me about putting on a mask; rather, they were all VERY cheerful and VERY nice. Nicer than when I USED to wear a mask. I smiled at every opportunity, but my legs and shoulders were shaking in fear. I was terrified either a worker or some mask-Nazi-Karen would stop and accost me, but not even other customers seemed to care. I was the only one not wearing a mask.
I got to the checkout and was expecting the cashier to say something about me not wearing a mask, but she was EXTREMELY polite and VERY cheery. I smiled a lot! I think that helped! We happily talked about Easter and the nice weather, etc. And she was so nice to me without my mask that I knew right then that not wearing a mask, people being able to see your face, see your smile, makes them INSTANTLY connect with you and like you (except for mask-Nazis of course, but I'm speaking of generally normal people). I left and heaved a sigh of relief and thanked God that I got out of there without problems.
My next place to experiment this will be Walmart, but I've already seen people walk in and around the store without masks and nobody says anything to them, so I have high hopes for that. I'll post my experience the next time I go there.
TLDR: Didn't wear a mask into grocery store, the workers were SUPER nice to me and didn't say anything about wearing a mask! Have hope! If you try this at your grocery store, smile a lot, it really helps!
Have been doing that throughout the Midwest, Southwest and Southeastern States. Some get a panicky look on their face and turn around. Most are unconcerned.
I believe that most people know their masks are worthless but, they wear them in fear of a backlash if they don't.
The only masks that provide adequate protection are valid N95 masks and higher. Only the most immunologically challenged, or those with predisposing comordities need N95 masks outside their home.
it depends on your definition of "adequate". An N95 still allows a lot of virions to pass. Will they be sufficient to cause infection? I keep reading that "one virion isn't enough". OK, so give me a number. Ten? A hundred? A million? Do you know how many corona virions will fit on the tip of a very pointy needle? (Spoiler: millions.)
Also, N95 masks - IF they protect anyone - only protect the wearer. They have one or more exhaust valves that let the breath escape unhindered. If you are ever confronted by someone wearing a mask with an obvious one-way valve, feel free to call them selfish. "That valve in your mask lets you breathe out your unfiltered air that's full of germs!"
If they persist, try "if you are so afraid, why aren't you protecting your eyes? You DO know that the virus gets in through your eyes?"