for transmission of any respiratory virus. So, if contracting any respiratory "bug" is a concern for you, even a cold, take that into account. But for short durations and in settings that are not crowded and do not require you to be within very close proximity to others for considerable time, the risk for COVID-19 or flu transmission is comparably low. That's why I do my grocery shopping right at opening (6AM) so that I can avoid masking--even though I am exceedingly cautious because of my patients--who are at high risk.
If you are not personally at particularly high risk, health-wise, and do not care for or interact closely with those who are (and are fully vaccinated including all available boosters), then you can probably start to step down your masking precautions a tad--as described. You probably are best to determine your own risk, depending on the types of indoor settings you frequent and how adverse you are to possibly contracting even a mild respiratory "bug."
Fortunately, the variants in the past year have not been particularly virulent and hospitalizations are way down. As long as that remains the case, that justifies loosening precautions--as CDC has just done with their routine recommendations (OUTSIDE THE HEALTH CARE SETTING) a little bit.
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