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So what’s our plan then?  Spend the next 3-5 years wearing masks, limiting social gatherings, going on lock downs, etc ?  I’ve actually known several people who got the vaccine and still caught COVID. One of them has a heart transplant which means they have a suppressed immune system. They’re fine, the vaccine did what it’s supposed to do.

I just finished writing my uncle’s obituary for my aunt. He died of COVID last week. It’s a tough thing but him and my aunt chose not to get vaccinated. This is after losing my dad to COVID last year. I’ve had a lot of heart break due to this terrible disease but at some point you just have to face it.

The plan is that everybody gets vaccinated.  If that were to happen, the need for masking would be drastically reduced.
But there's a strong correlation between anti-masking and anti-vaxxing.  And with wanting everything to "open up."

I am puzzled.  When you say "have to face it," what do you mean?

The plan is that everybody gets vaccinated.  If that were to happen, the need for masking would be drastically reduced.
But there's a strong correlation between anti-masking and anti-vaxxing.  And with wanting everything to "open up."

I am puzzled.  When you say "have to face it," what do you mean?

So what's your plan to get that last 20-40% of the population vaccinated?  Like utee says, everybody who wanted to get vaccinated has had plenty of time and opportunity to do so.  I know lots of folks who just simply ain't gonna take the vaccine no matter what.  

And what do you mean by "the need for masking would be drastically reduced".  Why do we need to wear masks at all if everybody else is vaccinated?  

By face it I mean that we need to understand that covid will be with us a long time, it won't go away in a year or two or even five.  It will be with us from now on, just like the flu is and other contagious diseases.  So at some point, once we accept that not everybody is going to get vaccinated, we need to get on with the business of being normal again.  Not start more masks mandates again for people who refuse to get vaccinated.  Just like my aunt and uncle.  Both over 70, both refused to get vaccinated even though they could have done it 6+ months ago.  Now he's gone and she's grieving.  

By some logic we need to reduce the speed limit on all the roads to 35 mph because there are people out there who refuse to wear the seat belt.  Since most fatal accidents happen at 40-50 mph it makes sense right?  

So what's your plan to get that last 20-40% of the population vaccinated?  Like utee says, everybody who wanted to get vaccinated has had plenty of time and opportunity to do so.  I know lots of folks who just simply ain't gonna take the vaccine no matter what. 

And what do you mean by "the need for masking would be drastically reduced".  Why do we need to wear masks at all if everybody else is vaccinated? 

By face it I mean that we need to understand that covid will be with us a long time, it won't go away in a year or two or even five.  It will be with us from now on, just like the flu is and other contagious diseases.  So at some point, once we accept that not everybody is going to get vaccinated, we need to get on with the business of being normal again.  Not start more masks mandates again for people who refuse to get vaccinated.  Just like my aunt and uncle.  Both over 70, both refused to get vaccinated even though they could have done it 6+ months ago.  Now he's gone and she's grieving. 

By some logic we need to reduce the speed limit on all the roads to 35 mph because there are people out there who refuse to wear the seat belt.  Since most fatal accidents happen at 40-50 mph it makes sense right?

States--like Oklahoma--that passed laws prohibiting schools, businesses, and government agencies from requiring their employees to get vaccinate should repeal those laws.  Or amend them to only apply until the vaccine is upgraded from "emergency" status.
Re "drastically reduced," I agree that 100% vaccination rate should mean that no masks should be needed.  I suppose there is some circumstance where masks would be needed, but I can't think of one.
I think most people understand that it's going to be with us.  The people who don't probably tend to be among the ranks of anti-vaxxers/anti-maskers.  If it's going to be with us for a long time, then we should be prepared to get vaccinated every year, just like we do with flu shots.
I don't get the car analogy at all, and I don't know if most fatal accidents happen at 40-50 mph.
The car analogy I like is running stop signs.  People who refuse to get vaccinated and refuse to wear masks are like people who run stop signs.  They aren't just endangering themselves, they are endangering others.  People do not have some fundamental right or "freedom" to run stop signs.

This is a long read, but worth it. 

Naturally enhanced neutralizing breadth against SARS-CoV-2 one year after infection | Nature

Well, that's why I got the vaccine regardless. Why the heck not?

The key to that paper is when they discuss bone marrow. 

These combating cells can last a lifetime in bone marrow.

why the heck not?

that's the question

Man, I certainly don't have an answer for this.  I don't know anyone in my family or direct circle of friends, that isn't vaccinated.  Even my FIL and MIL that got it back in July 2020, got the vaccine.  Because why the heck not?

Re "drastically reduced," I agree that 100% vaccination rate should mean that no masks should be needed.  I suppose there is some circumstance where masks would be needed, but I can't think of one.
I think most people understand that it's going to be with us.  The people who don't probably tend to be among the ranks of anti-vaxxers/anti-maskers.  If it's going to be with us for a long time, then we should be prepared to get vaccinated every year, just like we do with flu shots.

What irks me is that the vaccinated are being asked to wear masks to protect those who deliberately choose not to receive the vaccine, refuse to wear masks, and don't even think they need to be protected.

Getting the vaccinated to wear masks is IMHO marginally useful at reducing spread. Getting the unvaccinated to take the vaccine would be tremendously useful at reducing spread.

But... The unvaccinated aren't listening and won't listen to public health authorities. So they tell the vaccinated to mask up--because they know those people are more likely to actually listen and comply. 

The bang for the buck comes from getting the unvaccinated to take the shot. But they aren't.

So I don't feel like I should wear a mask just to protect them. I'm vaccinated. Why do I need one?