NEW YORK (AP) — The scene: A crowded shopping center in the weeks before Christmas. Or a warehouse store. Or maybe a packed airport terminal or a commuter train station or another place where large groups gather.

There are many individuals present, but upon observation, it is evident that one thing is noticeably missing: face coverings.

There may be a few exceptions, but it is not comparable to the situation three years ago during the initial winter holidays of the COVID pandemic. It was a time of intense disagreement, blame, and disrespect from both sides of the mask debate in America.

As we approach the end of 2023, there are expectations of holiday gatherings and large crowds, leading to unintentional sharing of air. Despite the lingering effects of COVID, mask-wearing is becoming less common across the country. The idea of a nationwide mask mandate seems like a thing of the past, reminiscent of the Ghost of Christmas Past.

Consider it from a different perspective: Nowadays, wearing masks has become a common occurrence in America. In a nation where masks were typically associated with Halloween or dress-up events before the pandemic, it has become a new way of life that persists even though many individuals are not consistently following it.

Brooke Tully, a strategist specializing in altering behaviors, remarks that this aspect of the pandemic is intriguing.

According to her, the delivery of food and similar services was already in existence before COVID and was even gaining popularity. However, the concept of wearing masks in the U.S. did not have a pre-existing basis. It was a completely new concept brought about by COVID, making it one of the new changes in behavior and norms.

The decision made by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospital system to require masks again on December 20 is based on the current situation of an increase in respiratory viruses. This change also affects individuals such as Sally Kiser, a 60-year-old from Mooresville, North Carolina, who runs a home health care agency.

She says, “I always have one on me because I never know.”

Depending on the setting, she may not always don it, but she will do so if she deems it appropriate. She describes it as a new way of thinking in our modern society.

Not too long ago, there was a lot of concern about catching COVID-19, which caused a surge in demand for masks. Terms like “N95” became common in our vocabulary, along with the idea of mask mandates. This led to strong opposition from people who believed it was the government overstepping its boundaries.

After the requirements were lifted, people began removing their masks and the need for them decreased. The decrease was significant enough for Project N95, a nonprofit organization formed during the pandemic to assist individuals in finding reliable masks, to declare that it would cease sales on Monday due to lack of interest.

The executive director of the organization, Anne Miller, admits that she believed wearing masks would be the norm rather than the exception.

She expressed her belief that the new norm would resemble the practices of other cultures and regions, where individuals wear masks as a precautionary measure for the well-being of others.

According to Markus Kemmelmeier, a sociology professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, norms do not function in that manner, whether it pertains to public safety or other aspects.

In 2020, Kemmelmeier conducted a research on the use of masks across the country. The findings revealed that mask adoption and resistance to mandates differed by region, influenced by factors such as existing cultural divides and political beliefs.

He uses the public backlash following the implementation of seatbelt requirements and laws over 40 years ago as an illustration of how certain practices, especially those mandated by society, may or may not become widely accepted.

“When these were initially established, they were met with strong opposition,” says Kemmelmeier. “Many complaints were made about the limitations on personal freedoms and the idea of being told what to do.”

The Park Slope Co-op in Brooklyn, New York has implemented mask-required days (Wednesdays and Thursdays) for its members, in response to a perceived need for safety measures at the grocery store. The remaining five days still do not have a mask requirement.

According to Joe Holtz, the co-op general manager, the individuals who suggested the idea were not primarily concerned with COVID rates. Instead, they were considering those who are immune-compromised, a group that has always been present but gained more attention during the pandemic.

Supporters of the mask mandate at the co-op stressed the vulnerability of immunocompromised individuals to contagious illnesses such as colds and the flu. According to Holtz, implementing a designated time frame for wearing masks provides added protection for this group.

According to Holtz, the decision of which days to choose was left to the store’s administrators. They intentionally chose two of the least busy days instead of the popular weekend days, acknowledging that mask mandates can elicit varying reactions from individuals.

According to the speaker, management’s perspective is that if they were to attempt something and it results in a negative financial consequence, they aim to reduce it as much as possible.

The shoppers present on a recent Thursday appeared unfazed.

Aron Halberstam, 77, typically does not wear a mask often nowadays, but he does not mind the mandate. He wears a mask when necessary, even if he chooses not to otherwise. This approach is common in many regions of the country, even after more than three years of masks being a regular topic and part of daily routines.

According to Halberstam, he complies with any request or task without hesitation. He does not resist it.

According to Kemmelmeier, the culture has changed regardless of the level of resistance. Even in crowded stores or during travel, people continue to wear masks. They do so by personal choice rather than government mandate. Additionally, new reasons may arise, such as using masks to cope with poor air quality during wildfires in the summer.

“He says it will always find a place to belong and as long as there are needs, it will continue to exist.”