Dear Diary

Dear Diary,

It's been three years since our lives changed forever. Three years ago in the beginning of March we did our last "normal" and "fun" trip we'd have for a long time. 

It was Spring break 2020 and we were living in the States. We decided to go to Disney World in Florida with my mother-in-law. I am SO, SO glad we did, for several reasons. Most obviously is because the world shut down right after that trip ended. Our last day at Disney World was on a Thursday and their last operating day was two days later on a Saturday. Like many, Philip left work for Spring Break with us and wouldn't return to the office until months later.  

It was such a scary time for everyone. The unknown loomed and threatened life as we knew it. SOOOO MANY PEOPLE DIED and our world WAS ALTERED FOREVER. 

Through this experience we learned a lot about different cultures.  Cultures that have a more individual focus couldn't stand the thought of doing something like mask wearing for other people because it was an an inconvenience for them.  Cultures that have a more societal focus had no problem masking up for the sake of others.  

Japan is in the latter group.  In fact, mask wearing is still VERY MUCH A THING.  It's been a while since the government said it's ok to be outside without a mask and yet 90% of people STILL MASK OUTSIDE! This week was an important day in government recommendations of masking.  Monday marked the day where masks are no longer required indoors or on public transportation when it's not crowded.  Masks are still "recommended" during crowded rush hours.

How much has changed this week?  The short story is, NOT MUCH.  I have seen a few more people than usual not wearing masks, but the majority is still masking.  I went to a festival this Wednesday and that was the first place I saw more than a handful of people not masking (outdoors).  I'll admit it, much to the chagrin of my foreign friends, if I am by myself I have usually been masking indoors.  I don't want to be looked at as that stupid foreigner, haha.  Outside, though, I am very much ok with not masking.  I still do it sometimes, though.  🤷

My group of foreigners was all for not masking at the festival this week!  

April 6 marks the new start of the school year in Japan. Masks will NOT be required then! I am hoping we'll see an uptick in unmasked people at that time. I am hoping the younger generation will help make the change towards not masking being the norm.  Many people have gotten comfortable hiding behind their masks, though.  Our international school will change their mask policy as well on March 31.  One of my children wants to unmask, the other not.  

So as most of the western world and even some of Asia has moved on and now says, "What pandemic?" Japan is very much still in the recovery phase. What do you think about this?  Would you be masked or unmasked if the majority of the people around you were masking?