Are Charlotteans still masking up? Here’s what you said.
Mask mandates are going out in North Carolina much like they arrived: With mixed feelings.
Shortly after Mecklenburg County lifted its public health rule requiring masks in public indoor spaces, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools followed suit, making masks optional in classrooms and on buses.
With the change, we asked what you were observing and where you stand on masking.
More than 800 people responded to an informal survey by The Charlotte Observer last week. More than 60% of people agreed with mask mandates lifting, with many saying the decision was overdue. But 39% said mandates should remain in place.
The top three places where survey participants observed voluntary mask wearing in Charlotte were, in order: grocery stores, public transit and school and university campuses. But close to one-third of people said they were seeing little to no voluntary mask wearing.
We also asked readers to write in other places around the city where mask wearing remained prevalent, and some common responses were health care clinics and hospitals, government buildings (court house, police departments, libraries) and restaurants. Some readers noticed people were still opting to mask up in small crowds, home improvement stores and work offices.
And of those who voted, 58% said they would be keeping their masks, while 41% said they would throw them away.
Note: This is not a scientific study and the results are not intended to be reflective of the population.
This story was originally published March 10, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
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