Mid-December of 2021 masks and face coverings were recommended for shopping at the on-base Commissaries. The update occurred to maintain and align with local recommendations for mask-wearing. This has been met with confusion and frustration.
Mixed Signals
If it hasn’t been clear in the last two years, there have been varied adoptions of mask-wearing policy across the United States. Some states require mask-wearing, and some states don’t. For the holidays, some states like California required mask-wearing indoor and outdoor for a month coinciding with an increase in travel. With some states not requiring mask-wearing indoors, it has added an extra layer of confusion for those going on base to shop.
Federal Regulations
Federal properties require mask-wearing. Government buildings and the military exchanges have required mask-wearing on base to shop or enter. The commissary’s updated recommendation to wear a mask and align with local authorities has added confusion for those who don’t understand if they can wear a mask or not. Employees of the commissary are wearing masks, vaccinated or not.
Local Authority
Each state has varied on mask-wearing. If your local state has a mandate for mask-wearing indoor, it would make sense to continue mask-wearing while shopping at the local commissary. If there is no mask-wearing required at your base or commissary, then you can choose to wear a mask as desired.
Grocery Pick Up
If you don’t agree with mask-wearing inside, and there is a mandate in your local area, you can choose to do grocery pick up. There is no requirement to mask up when social distancing can be done outdoors, where grocery pick-up occurs. The grocery pick-up of click and go is without additional charge and can be easily planned and done from the comfort of your home before arriving at the commissary. Avoid all lines and waiting by picking what you need for groceries and letting someone else shop for you.
One small problem, mask and social distancing has been disproved.
We want to remind our readers and commenters that we appreciate all opinions and input. For those reading this comment, please feel free to review the science brief from the CDC website titled “Science Brief: Community Use of Masks to Control the Spread of SARS-CoV-2” for more data based information regarding the efficacy of mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/masking-science-sars-cov2.html
We were confused and frustrated because for months there was a sign posted that if you were vaccinated you did not have to wear a mask. Then suddenly, we went sometime in December and someone was standing outside handing out masks because the sign was removed and she said we had to wear a mask again whether you are vaccinated or not. Why get vaccinated?
Good idea to reference a government propaganda site. If anybody from the cdc or from this administration’s lips are moving, they’re probably LYING!!!
I mask up period! I want to protect myself as well as anyone else in this world. If wearing a mask is the least I can do, then I will do it! Let’s mask up everyone!
I wholeheartedly agree!
I always wear a mask….better to be safe than sorry.
Our government is making this difficult by not sharing the truth and/or not letting drugs known to work be accessed by doctors for their patients. Try to use common sense and good judgement. The young and the older populations suffer the most whereas others need to be mindful of all, not just themselves.
What about those who have medical conditions that make mask wearing difficult? It makes it hard for us to breathe. We still like to shop in the commissary and want to do so.
We were confused and frustrated because for months there was a sign posted that if you were vaccinated you did not have to wear a mask. Then suddenly, we went sometime in December and someone was standing outside handing out masks because the sign was removed and she said we had to wear a mask again whether you are vaccinated or not. Why get vaccinated?
I’m an Armywife and my husband served 27yr in Army and works for USPS, we both mask up anywhere we go. We respect others’ safety as we respect ourselves. I lost my dad from Covid19 because people out there who doesn’t care or who refuses to wear mask has no respect for themselves! Come on, let’s keep others and ourselves safe!!
I agree wholeheartedly with the mask mandate; it’s better to be safe than sorry.
when they say Mask is recommended, is not a law to mask up. it’s up to the individual choice to wear a mask or not. So, what does this mean to consumers entering the commissary or BX? I shopped at the Patrick AFB now Space Force. Did my shopping at the commissary with out a mask. then I get to the checkout line, the tyrannical supervisor came up and told me to mask up. Now, they don’t have a sign on the entrance that required a mask. it said, recommended. So, why am I being harassed at the check out to put my mask on? In Florida, Mask, Vaxx is not mandated. per our Governor De Santis. (Mandate is not a Law) No establishment should mandate wearing a mask or Vaxx. it’s unconstitutional. We all know it. So, stop telling people to “wear your mask”. the people have the choice to wear it or not.
Good idea to reference a government propaganda site. If anybody from the cdc or from this administration’s lips are moving, they’re probably LYING!!!