Thursday, Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced the mask mandate is now lifted for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. KLCC’s Tiffany Eckert went outside in Eugene to get some reactions on the decision.
Jaimie Seiders: “For the people who want to wear masks, I think that’s great. And I think it’s a good option for the people who don’t, you know? I don’t’ really care too much either way. If I’m required to wear it I will and if I’m not, I most likely won’t.”
Reporter: “Are you fully vaccinated?”
Seiders: “I am not, not yet.”
Reporter: “Have you had one dose?”
Seiders: “No, I’m actually still thinking about it.”
Wes Shorack: “I think it’s a good idea to still wear a mask inside. I would and that’s what I do. I prefer to not wear a mask outside because we’re all tired of wearing masks.”
Reporter: “But it’s as a personal safety, that’s why you’re talking indoor masking.”
Shorack: “Yeah, yeah. The virus isn’t going away. It’s still gonna be around even if it’s in a lesser form.”
Reporter: “Have you been vaccinated?
Shorack: “Yes, two times. Yep.”
Null: “It makes sense if our leaders are pushing us all in the right direction, then it should be a sigh of relief that we don’t have to wear them anymore.”
Reporter: “You’re standing at a bus stop. Do you use public transportation a lot?”
“Null: “Yes.”
Reporter: “The mandate does still require masks on public transportation. How do you feel about that?”
Null: “I’m okay with it. Because it’s a close enclosement. I feel more comfortable that it’s safer because if somebody coughs near you, you sit right next to them on the bus.”
Tony Tuerk: “I think it’s a good thing to do. I’m looking forward to it, but cautiously. The last thing I want is to step backward again and have to be mandatory masks. The back and forth for all the poor shop owners and all the people that are just trying to get out. Let’s just have a path forward—let’s not go back.”
KLCC’s Tiffany Eckert spoke with Springfield resident Jaymie Seiders and Eugene residents Wes Shorack, Ebony Null and Tony Tuerk about the end of the mask requirement (outdoors and in most indoor spaces) for people who have been fully vaccinated.
