On May 30, a Herald editor conducted an informal, small-scale survey, counting the number of people with masks whom he passed while walking at the Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve in Merrick.
The count wasn’t even close. Eighty-four people were wearing masks, while 42 weren’t. That is, two-thirds wore masks.
The same editor conducted the same survey just over two weeks later, on June 14. This time, the results were very different. Seventy-eight people weren’t wearing masks, while 20 were. That is, 79 percent of people had no face covering, while 21 percent did.
What does this tell us? Perhaps nothing — after all, this was a small survey, conducted at one location on only two days. On the other hand, it could indicate an attitudinal shift — perhaps people believe the worst of the coronavirus crisis is behind us, so they no longer have to wear masks.
There was seemingly no reason not to wear a mask last Sunday. The temperature was in the low 70s, with virtually no humidity and a slight breeze, so you didn’t feel stifled by the weather while wearing one.