Originally Posted by
beeatnik
How's the mask usage/compliance in your town? The New Yorker writer in Wuhan lockdown speculated that masks allow people to ignore each other and more efficiently go about being distanced, physically and psychologically. The day after the shelter in place order took effect in my neighborhood, people began to cross the street to avoid each other. Based on conversations with friends, it was a behavior/strategy adopted early here. And it was upsetting to my wife. Not because she wanted more contact but because there was no protocol or etiquette; people would just run across the street at the sight of another pedestrian. The sidewalk avoidance has become more manageable in recent weeks, but there are still no obvious right of way rules. Also, since masks are not required in LA County for outdoor activities (if social distancing can be maintained), there's a growing group of, um, masks enthusiasts who become visibly upset when they see others maskless and based on what I see outside my window a large percentage are still now wearing masks outdoors (I wear mine mainly to avoid the proverbial dirty looks)
I have noticed that middle aged and elderly people sitting in their porches tend to be more friendly now.