Why should healthy people not in extra danger due to age continue using masks and distancing protocols? How about because COVID-19 has a prolonged recovery period.

The CDC now has a short write-up available about a study that followed up on nonhospitalized working-age adults who had tested positive for COVID-19 in the prior 2-3 weeks. Of the 18-34 age group, 24% reported feeling that they hadn't returned to their previous state of health by the time they were surveyed; for the 35-49 age group, that figure was 33%.

Of the majority who did feel they'd regained their health, a third still reported one or more lingering symptoms. Those were most commonly coughing, fatigue, and shortness of breath. (I don't know about you, but I'd consider the latter two significant reductions in my quality of life.)

For context, otherwise healthy people who test positive for influenza virtually always feel like their old selves--with complete resolution of symptoms--within two weeks of testing.