Will we wear masks forever? The answer might depend on where you live

As a fully vaccinated person, the CDC says I can frolic in parks--even in stores--without a mask on. But every time I go out, I find myself struggling with whether I should really go bare-faced. And it makes me wonder whether there will be social pressure to keep our masks on forever. The answer, it turns out, has everything to do with where you live. A recent study by MIT scholars shows that culture plays a crucial role in determining whether people wear masks. Masks are much more than PPE, they're symbols of our identity and beliefs. And as such, some communities may choose to keep wearing them for years to come. Read my story here. — Liz Segran   Will we wear masks forever? The answer might depend on where you live ‘It’s important to understand how culture fundamentally shapes how people respond not only to this pandemic, but to future crises as well.’   READ MORE   How to make green buildings beautiful Sustainable architecture doesn’t have to be boring. Here are some inspiring examples.   READ MORE   Forget finger painting. This book teaches your kid to be the next Banksy Whatever your feelings about Banksy, the mysterious graffiti artist embodies some excellent lessons for children.   READ MORE   AI is being used to profile people from their head vibrations The technology, called VibraImage, has been deployed at two Olympic Games, a FIFA World Cup, and a G7 Summit, even though there is very little evidence that it actually works.   READ MORE   The outdoors are so white. Here’s how Lena Waithe and Jimmy Chin could change that The outdoor industry has historically ignored people of color. The North Face is launching a council to improve access and equity.   READ MORE

A haunting portrait of crisis in the Amazon rain forest   Tommaso Protti spent months photographing how deforestation and violence affect the indigenous peoples of the Amazon and the environment they depend on.   READ MORE

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