geoffwnz:
In reality though, I suspect very few people really think anything of people wearing masks now. While it's not an ingrained thing here yet, it's no longer "odd".
That has also been my experience. In Hawke's Bay you hardly ever see a mask. Because I am vulnerable, I have been wearing one when shopping in town. The last time I saw only two others at the supermarket. But no-one gave me sideways looks or reacted oddly.
