When Delaware International Speedway, a raceway in Delmar, Del., reopened to spectators earlier this month, attendees were forewarned that they had to wear face masks.
“As a part of the agreement for opening with the State of Delaware those social distancing measures are still in place as well as, masks must be worn by all spectators,” according to the stadium’s official policy.
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Those who choose not to wear masks, may feel a sense of solidarity, like they’re taking a stand against authority.
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However, pictures from the first race held on June 6 showed that many spectators did not abide by the face-mask requirement.
Delaware International Speedway did not respond to MarketWatch’s request for a comment.
In early April, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that Americans wear a face cloth covering or mask in places where it is difficult to social distance from other people. However, there currently is no federal mandate to wear face coverings. Nor is the wearing of eye protection a formal recommendation, though a study published in the Lancet found an association with reduced infection.
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Individual states including Delaware, New York, Virginia and Illinois require citizens to wear masks in public places. Other states require essential-business employees and patrons while on premises to wear masks, while some only require employees to wear them. Meanwhile, many states don’t have any mask requirements and instead recommend that they be worn in public places.
But even in states with mask mandates, Americans are defying these orders despite evidence that suggests that widespread use of face masks can greatly limit the transmission of the coronavirus, which is believed to occur mainly from respiratory droplets.
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Why people are wearing masks even if they aren’t required to
On Sunday, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams tweeted: “Some feel face coverings infringe on their freedom of choice — but if more wear them, we’ll have MORE freedom to go out.”
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In times of heightened uncertainty, humans tend to seek a sense of belonging. That cuts both ways.
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“Ultimately it is a choice we make, and I hope it’s made based on the best…
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