With 2 new variants and cases going up again, I’m going to continue to wear my mask because I could still contract and spread one of those. We could have someone immunocompromised or a child under age who can’t be vaccinated yet and I don’t want to be responsible for possibly killing or getting them sick long term. I also don’t trust the general public after all this shit either, and while masks protect others more than me- it gives me some small sense of security because vaccinated or not, I’d rather not get it.

I also can’t control my facial expressions with customers anymore lol.

I'm in Los Angeles so masks are mandatory now but even the few weeks we were able to take them off, I kept mine on.

I'm fully vaccinated but if I were to catch it and stay asymptomatic, I want to protect those who can't get vaxxed like young kids and immune compromised folk.

If I'm doing dishes and barely on the floor for CS I don't mind it off but any time making drinks or working with customers it's on

I keep mine on.
I’m ugly.

Background: I am fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine, and I live with my mom who is immunocompromised and unable to get the vaccine right now. I am one of 5 or 6 partners at my store who has decided not to wear the mask.

That being said, facts are important. The trouble is the research is still early and forthcoming. However, most of the research so far is showing that if you are fully vaccinated you are far less likely to contract the virus, spread the disease and definitely unlikely to experience symptoms on the off chance you do.

This article is a doosey, but worth the read if you are curious to know some of the research: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/can-people-vaccinated-against-covid-19-still-spread-the-coronavirus

Y’all trust the research, but ultimately, do what you think is best for your situation and the area that you live. There are waaayyy to many internet testimonials saying they were vaccinated and they still got covid and infected a ton of people… I’m not trying to invalidate any of that but in this day in age it’s just not trustworthy compared to research from literally some of the smartest people in the world. Talk to your families and friends and fellow Starbucks partners and do what is best for the situation.

Sorry that turned into a long post. I hope it helped. Peace and love to you all.

With LA being required to wear masks again I wouldn’t be surprised if we get to the point where we’re all required to be wearing masks again anyways

im immunocompromised so generally I wear it. If I’m doing dishes alone in the back then I take it off (or to drink my drink)

I think that’s a very deeply personal question you have to ask yourself. Because only you can make that decision.

I was very torn at first, and I got advice from my mother, who’s been a nurse for 25+ years, a family friend who is a doctor, from another friend who’s in med school, and from my sister, who works in the healthcare system and works under a Dr. who normally conducts research on the effectiveness of various chemotherapy’s but now focuses on the effectiveness of the vaccine. (The reason why I’m specifying where I get this information from is bc a lot of articles and news outlets can be misleading and most people don’t read the scientific data and papers. So I wanted to show that my sources are reliable).

All these people said that if you are fully vaccinated, there is about 84% chance that you won’t get the contract the virus, and about a 96% chance that IF you do, it would be mild and not result in a severe hospitalization or death (this fully depends on which vaccine you got).

They all agreed that, as far as we know based on the data, that the vaccine is effective over the delta mutation and other similar ones.

What I think most people forget is that wearing a mask does not protect you. It won’t protect you from getting covid. It protects others. So it is a very wise decision to wear it to protect those who can’t get vaccinated.

The unfortunate situation is the herd immunity only works if 70% of the population is vaccinated. America is not there yet. AND health care professionals don’t know when the virus keeps mutating more aggressively if the vaccine would be effective against those.

All that being said (and sorry for the novel) and what most people have pointed out, wearing a mask protects those who can’t get the vaccine. So if you’re hesitant, definitely wear it. But I would caution that if you’re wearing it to protect yourself, it won’t work. Those who wear it protect the immunocompromised.

Not wearing mine. Got the vaccine and I’m gonna use it.

Where I live our cases and delta has not become a huge problem. Me and my family have been fully vaccinated since April so for right now I’ve decided to tap into not wearing mine. That being said, I fully respect and understand the concern about the variant and if one of my partners felt uncomfortable I would 100% wear my mask again. I have no issues doing so. I’m hoping it continues to get better, but if not I’ll have no issue wearing my mask again. My tip is to just do what feels best for you and your situation! :)

I am vaccinated and got COVID 3 weeks ago. Compromised almost everyone in store. We opened 3 hours per day for 11 days. Not worth taking off your mask IMO.

I keep mine on because a couple of my coworkers are still in the process of being vaccinated and I don't want them to feel alone. Also because of the Delta variant.

i stopped wearing mine and got sick (with a cold), pretty sure i got it from work. might start wearing it again.

Mask off at for open once store open the door mask up 😂

same exact boat as you. i keep my on and have only taken it off when i’m really hot (rare). but i’m definitely keeping it on from now on

I did for about a week and a half, but I’m back to wearing it again. Because 1) people are disgusting and will straight stand at my bar or cough into the window, 2) because causes started going up and now last night the cdc recommended it so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

i’m not wearing mine! with me being trans and lowering my voice in an artificial way, when i’m on front register people are able to hear and understand me a lot better without it! i’ll be masking again a couple of weeks before my top surgery tho so i can make sure i don’t get covid before my procedure lol

I like keeping my face hidden and I feel safer with my mask on. I might sign the vaccine form but I’m going to continue using my mask.

I keep mine on, fully vaccinated. 2 baristas have tested positive within the last 7 days, unsure if one due to other but regardless 2 people I've been exposed to in the last week reassures me that I am doing a part in reducing my chance of being completely exposed and less likely to transmit if infected to those around me if I ever got infected.
Also like generally we're all bunched up on each other and I'd rather not be breathing all up on each other just yet.

Yup I’m fully vaccinated

I’ve been vaccinated since May and I’m still wearing mine at work, the only times I fully take it off is after we close and it’s just me and coworkers