CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) From Memorial Day weekend when the Chicopee Memorial State Park was allowed to open, wearing of masks seemed to be less of a priority than the enforcement insisted upon at the opening of state pools this weekend.

22News hoped to find out from swimmers and beach-goers Sunday why those not wearing a mask were clearly in the majority.

Im staying clear of everybody else, said Darien Alvarez of Springfield. I think its alright, the wind is blowing, we do wear a mask, one day off you know.

When this whole pandemic started, I was super scared about the whole situation, I wore masks, I would do everything to protect, overtime I kind of realized no matter what you do, you cant control you might get it, added Gabriel Mijal of Chicopee.

Many park goers enjoyed their day in the sun wearing a face covering Sunday. Visitors told 22News, they believe in the protective value of the mask.

Since the Memorial Day reopening of Chicopee State Park, visitors have insisted repeatedly, they were led to believe they could skip wearing a mask as long as they obeyed the rules of social distancing.

In recent weeks, with an upsurge in coronavirus cases elsewhere in the country, face coverings have taken on a greater urgency as Massachusetts doubles down on its efforts to slow down the spread.

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Masks at the beach? Local residents have mixed feelings - WWLP.com