Some people just don’t want to wear a mask. I’m not going to joke about that. I’ve been wearing a mask whenever I go out and I’m not going to stop. Wearing a mask is mainly a courtesy to others. While the benefits of masks may be small they still reduce the chances of spreading diseases, or at the very least spitting on people while you’re talking to them. I know we should all be staying at least six feet apart when out and about but I’ve known people who could hit a cuspidor at that distance without even trying.
As far as I know I’m not infected with COVID-19 myself but still people who don’t know me might see me not wearing a mask and say, “Hey, that guy isn’t wearing a mask. Why should I?” Using me as an example is generally a bad idea, but people who don’t know me don’t know how many mistakes I make on a daily basis, and one of the benefits of wearing a mask is even people who do know me might not recognize me if they see me out in public. And other people should wear masks too. Especially strangers. I don’t know what they’ve been exposed to or what they’re carrying. Because I had chemotherapy a few years ago I may have permanent lung damage and I don’t know what the effects of COVID-19 could be if I get it, and I don’t want to pass it around to anyone else either. I don’t know what the effects will be on anyone else.
There are a lot of things we’ve learned we can live without recently: quick trips to the grocery store, all staff meetings in the conference room every twenty minutes, putting on pants to go to work, handshakes. With the relaxation of most social rules I get that putting a small rectangle of fabric over your mouth while you’re out so you reduce the risk of spreading your own germs or your saliva on other people while talking seems like an enormous burden, especially if you insist on going out to a restaurant because you have to refill your own drink at home.
Some people say they can’t breathe while wearing a mask. If that’s the case you’re probably wearing the wrong kind of mask. Solid rubber isn’t known for being particularly permeable.
Some people just don’t like to wear a mask. I get it. Some people find them uncomfortable, or have a problem with being required to wear a mask while out and about. I knew a guy in college who felt that wearing seatbelts was good, common sense and would save lives but quit wearing them in protest when a nationwide law was passed making them mandatory. And I’m sure the windshield applauded him for being so principled right before his head went through it, but that’s another story.
Some people just don’t want to wear a mask. And some people are just assholes.
Spot on Chris. I have lost track of how many people I’ve had to tell I’m wearing a mask for them, not for me.
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That’s it–and the fact that we have to explain that we’re wearing masks out of concern for other people’s health speaks to a larger issue of people not realizing that we’re all in this together. Concern for others is one thing that does need to be spread around.
I am floored by the number of people not wearing masks. I bought cloth ones because they are more comfortable, but I leave a small pack of disposable ones in the car on the chance that I forget. Although, now, I hang a mask on the hook with my keys, which helps. Also, pro tip: If you have a cloth mask and it’s not comfortable, soak it overnight in fabric softener, rinse thoroughly and dry. It’s softer and smells amazing!!!
I might try the fabric softener trick, although I prefer my mask unscented. If the fabric softener had antiviral properties, though, I think I’d be willing to tolerate the scent. And I’d be going out even less.
Thank you Christopher, you are a saint! People with underlying conditions are protected by those of us who are wearing masks. Not the other way around, and those that think they don’t have to, well all I can say is, they’re idiots. I am asymptomatic, so I wear a mask for others not myself because if I get sick I don’t know it until I’m really sick. I have masks all over the place just in case I need one, and in these days one needs them everywhere!
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I’m like you–if I get sick I don’t know until I’m really sick, and sometimes even when I’m really sick I try to ignore it and just power through, which is a stupid thing to do. So there’s another benefit of wearing a mask: it’s my way of reminding myself that COVID-19 is a serious matter and that I need to take it seriously. Even if I don’t get sick I don’t want to risk getting anyone else sick.
I wish I could send this blog to a friend of mine…..but that would end the friendship. She’s actually violently angry that there are masks anywhere because ‘people look stupid in them’. I’m pretty sure that’s not her major reasoning, but I’m taken aback about how adamant she is. She won’t leave the house and only order’s necessities on-line where she can pick them up through curb service (including Total Wine – because if they want her money, they’ll bring it to her outside). You might wonder why she’s still a friend of mine, but she’s generous and loving about just about everything except wearing a mask. My husband and I are both lung compromised so masks are here until I’M satisfied they are no longer needed.
As critical as I was here I’m also willing to cut some people some slack, as long as they’re willing to take other measures to prevent the spread of disease. There are, after all, mixed reports on the actual effectiveness of masks, although places where they’re mandated have seen either declines or lower rates of infection than places where they aren’t.
As for people looking stupid in them, well, if I say so myself I think I look better in a mask.
People who don’t want to wear a mask must be mouthbreathers;-)
I think they object to covering up their nose jobs.
Christopher,
Well said. You already know my take on this! I keep seeing people on TV who didn’t take this seriously and are now regretting it because they are sick. That drives me a little nuts, so I have to turn the channel. You can take the horse to water, eh? Okay, what’s with the FB comments thing? I never saw that before. I guess I’m on FB now. Oh well.
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I have no idea what’s going on with the comments here. I really don’t have the technical knowledge to run a blog but I can’t bring myself to stop. Anyway I’m glad we’re simpatico on taking COVID-19 seriously.
You’ve unmasked yourself again, Chris, as a wonderful perosn.
If the current crisis has revealed anything it’s shown us our real selves, although I’ve always known you are a wonderful person even from before.