Initially, it was thought that wearing a mask only protects others. Now, a couple of new studies have found that it also protects you. Wearing a mask, you are less likely to inhale airborne droplets that may contain the coronavirus (or, of course, other goodies). Specifically, that risk is cut in half.
You have to be careful not to touch the outer surface of the mask, and when removing it, not touch the mask itself--just the strings. If you wash and reuse it, similarly, treat the mask as if it's contaminated.
I think that masks should be mandatory in all indoor public areas, in casinos or elsewhere. It's a simple and inexpensive precaution. In restaurants, customers obviously have to remove them while eating, but there are very few other contexts and situations that wearing a mask would interfere with.
I think that if we "open up" anything--casinos, stores, or something else--mask wearing should be a fundamental aspect of it. We might get to the point where it's socially unacceptable to parade around without wearing a mask--ultimately, that's what might do it rather than regulations or edicts.
Just for grins, I counted how many people were wearing masks at the grocery store yesterday. All the staff were wearing them, but as far as the customers--myself and three other people. I got to a hundred who were not before I stopped counting. Also, no one--no one--observed the social distancing that the store had implemented simply by making every aisle one-way. So I doubt that we can depend on people to be considerate and conscientious voluntarily. Masks indoors. For everybody. Period.
