Is wearing a mask while sick falling out of favor in Japan?

I haven't been there for a couple of years,but I'd be surprised if this was really falling out of use....the main reasons people wear the masks haven't changed (ie having a cold,not wanting to catch a cold from other people,hay fever and air pollution).

Maybe it was just the time of year? Or maybe there are not many cold viruses around at the moment?

Masks remains common - although by no means universal - among pregnant women.

The ostensible reason (reducing the chance of germs germs getting in or out) remains, but there are also people who put on masks because they didn't have time to brush their teeth, or because they have an unsightly cold sore or something like that. You'll also find some women in the workplace whose masks disappear at lunchtime after they've had time to apply their make-up properly.

Have seen no difference, and I live in Japan.

I haven't seen any difference either, although I imagine as the weather gets colder I'll be seeing a lot more. That said, even in the height of cold season, not everyone who should wear a mask, does. I wear masks sometimes, even when I'm not sick, to prevent myself from getting sick - when you're on a crowded train and people cough or sneeze without covering their mouths (or using their hands and then putting their hands back onto the pole or hand grips) it can be a bit overwhelming.

I think it may be becoming less common, though I can't really substantiate that. There are certainly fewer now than in spring time.

I wouldn't say it has fallen out of favor, but there are a lot of people who surprisingly don't wear masks. I think especially so at the moment when people aren't yet in the full-on winter mask-wearing head space yet. Just like anywhere, I think there are people who are courteous of others and those that are not. I live in Tokyo and actually think I'm going to start wearing a mask for protection this week as I've noticed so many people coughing and sneezing without them.

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