Just as a data point, in response to @augieray 's excellent post today, I should note that I suggest locking yourself in at home to avoid COVID. It's the most effective way to prevent something that can change your life permanently for the worse by damaging your brain and body both.
That said, if you choose to venture out, mask up!
If we're seeing friends, everyone tests beforehand, and if everyone is clear, we'll not bother with the masks. We also get involved with the local mask blocs, where sometimes you'll find various social events where everyone masks.
We've adhered to these safety measures for years now, so this isn't just theoretically possible, it's practical and relatively easy. And all it takes is a little fear of what this stuff can do to you based on rigorously vetted data!