Most NC Residents Can Take Off Their Masks Safely: Novant Doctor

HUNTERSVILLE, NC — Novant infectious disease specialist Dr. David Priest says people can make an informed and safe choice to go maskless as COVID cases drop in North Carolina.

People have been advised to wear masks for most of the past two years to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets that could contain COVID-19 and spread the deadly virus.

In North Carolina, COVID cases have dropped sharply since the winter surge tied to the omicron variant. According to state health department data, just 1,231 COVID cases were reported March 1. That's down from more than 22,000 cases per day in early January.

More than 1,500 people are still hospitalized in the state with COVID-19, but that's also down from more than 5,000 in early January.

Dr. Priest says those who live in low to medium risk counties can take off their masks, even at big box stores which were previously considered a high-spread risk.

"If individuals are vaccinated, I don't think they have to wear a mask into a setting like Walmart," said Priest. "It's perfectly appropriate to do that."

For him personally, he says he will continue to wear a mask in high density settings because he deals with immunocompromised patients regularly. For that reason, he asks that people who are adapting to the changing guidance give grace.

"I am going to be a little more cautious in that regard," said Priest.

He advises to take social media with a grain of salt as well, saying he's seen a swath of misinformation circulating online.

"There is tribalism around these issues that is really harmful to our collective response around the pandemic," he added.

For those who do choose to still mask, he asks that people respect them. "People are going to be unsure of where and when to mask," he said. "I expect that all of this may induce some anxiety and anger in people, and we would ask that you try to have some degree of grace for everyone involved as we move from the pandemic to an endemic phase."