Strange to Experience Masklessness at Synagogue

Having returned to attending shul a couple of months ago, it has been nice to be able to come together at shul amidst this pandemic amongst other masked shul-goers. For me, it has been particularly nice, as our shul has followed CDC guidelines with regards to masking, social distancing and more (not all shuls do (there is a shul across the street that has been largely mask-optional for a while)).

However, with the announcement from the CDC on May 13th that vaccinated people do not need to wear masks inside with other vaccinated people, our shul decided on May 16th that we can shift to adapt to the updated CDC guidelines, as announced in an email:

In light of the very recently issued CDC guidelines regarding mask wearing the Board voted to enact the following change to our Sha'arei Torah Participation Guidelines:

1. For individuals who are fully vaccinated, wearing a mask in the sanctuary is now optional.
2. All un-vaccinated people must wear masks, including children 3 and up.
3. While no active vaccine verification process will be in place it is incumbent upon each participant to be honest and responsible to their fellow congregant, neighbor, and friends. Those who are not vaccinated are to adhere to our guidelines and wear a mask.

The Board acted quickly to make this change to help create the best environment for the late-night torah study event along with the upcoming days of our davening as we celebrate Shavuot together.

Walking into shul that night for the all-night Shavuot learning was a strange sight to see for me. I have gotten used to seeing masked faces in indoor spaces, so to see a room largely masked was - despite being expected - still a shock to me. While there were a couple of people who remained masked, it was more of a visceral reaction than an intellectual reaction, as I knew I would be unmasked, as would many others. That having been said, I felt kind of naked, as I felt strange in not wearing a mask in public.

That continued through yesterday, as it was the first Shabbat since prior to the pandemic that masks were not mandated [for vaccinated folks]. It's one thing to see people for all-night learning at Shavuot, but it's another thing to see Shabbat morning services where people are together in a regular fashion, yet...unmasked. It's still kind of strange for me to experience, yet it makes sense.

Nevertheless, I am still glad that our shul is following CDC guidelines closely in opening up and I hope things go well with the process, as we continue on this journey to getting closer to pre-pandemic processes.