PANDEMIC

Masks: A Decision Tree (Graphic)

Guidance has changed, so here’s a way to think through it

The new CDC guidance issued late last week has changed the mask game. Millions spent the weekend arguing — with friends, relatives, and themselves — whether to go full-on maskless or to take a more measured approach. Trending on Twitter was: #IDGAFWTCDCSYBWYMFM (Yes, it took me a beat, too. “I don’t give a give a fuck what the CDC says, you better wear your mother-fucking mask.”)

If you want advice or insight from an actual doctor, check this out — a post from last week’s talk with Dr. Joseph Rahimian, one of New York City’s leading infectious disease experts. Otherwise, here is my take, in the form of a decision tree (below). No, I am not a doctor. I am a writer on the Internet who is trying to help you make sense of life in the modern world. I hope this helps.

Julio Vincent Gambuto is a writer/director, based in New York City. He wrote that Medium essay about the pandemic that went around the world to 21M readers. Follow on Twitter for small thoughts, or here for Medium ones, or his website for large ones.