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Why are masks such a big deal for so many? Psychologists have thoughts

A mask is seen on the ground at John F.  Kennedy Airport in New York City.
A mask is seen on the ground at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City.

If you’ve been on a flight or taken public transit recently, you might’ve seen fewer masks on fewer faces. This is because a Florida judge struck down the federal travel mask mandate last Monday.

Though companies aren’t being forced to drop their mandates many have. Meanwhile, the Omicron subvariant BA.2 now accounts for 75 percent of new COVID cases in the U.S.

To mask or not to mask continues to be a divisive question. We get into the psychology of why.

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Haili Blassingame