For the past two years, we have worn masks to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19. But with highly effective vaccines, treatments, and testing, will we have to wear face masks forever? Dr. Melanie Bernitz, Senior Vice President for Columbia Health, doesn’t think so.
“I think we’re moving from a collective public health responsibility of wearing masks to a much more individual personalized choice,” Dr. Bernitz told Columbia News in an interview.
This new phase marks a turning point from fighting a pandemic to learning to live with an endemic.
As COVID restrictions are lifted at Columbia University and across the United States, you may have questions about your mask and what to do with it. For some answers, see what one of our esteemed health experts has to say.
