I didn’t use to be so upset with the thought of wearing masks. In fact, as it is true to my conformist nature, I embraced the idea of wearing them to protect myself. But now after several months of being mask-free in response to the CDC’s guidelines in May, I see the change-up that took place a couple of weeks ago as a threat to my livelihood. I have worked so hard to undo the damage done as a result of only being my parents, who I have gotten into more frequent and unpleasant arguments, by traveling to see friends that I have longed for since March of 2020, and have become more than comfortable with eating out. I don’t know, even though when my mom saw that I was proof of I could still have fun while remaining COVID safe as evidenced by a get-together last weekend where we had masks on except when we ate out, my anxious brain is trying to take over, with masks as a new sign of continued isolation. I don’t want to bash the CDC, especially now that I am vaccinated and know they are doing their best. However, I am flustered because of their rather vague and didactic guidelines, like they still want to make me afraid of the rather slim 10% chance of breakthrough infections.

I’m hurting about the thought of losing the social life and skills I’ve worked hard since the spring to regain. Any advice or ray of hope?