Mad or nah? Coronavirus Pandemic N.I.C.E. Stories

‘Mad or nah?’: Mixed reactions to Philly dropping indoor mask mandate

P.O.C., a partner in WHYY’s News and Information Community Exchange, hit the streets of Philadelphia to see how everyday people are reacting to the end of the mask mandate.

Tamara Russell

March 9, 2022

A person wearing a face mask walks in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Masks in Philadelphia are mostly optional these days, as the citywide mandate meant to help curb the spread of COVID-19 was lifted on March 2.

At the time of last week’s “all clear” message from city officials, the city’s positivity rate was 1.7%, down dramatically from 14% in December.

P.O.C, a partner in WHYY’s News and Information Community Exchange, hit the streets of Philadelphia to gauge whether residents are celebrating or grimacing.

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Part of the series

Mad or nah?

‘Mad or Nah?’ is an original woman-on-the-street interview series from Revive Radio that asks Philadelphians about issues impacting their everyday life.

View the series