I cannot believe this needs to be said, but here we are…wear your damn mask. Stop trying to find loopholes and excuses to get out of wearing one. Stop acting like it is some kind of infringement of rights. Quit pretending this is some political issue and by wearing one you are taking a side. Stop thinking it is effeminate. Just stop! Wear the fucking mask.
Listen, I understand that wearing a mask to the grocery store or a restaurant is not something we are accustomed to in America. I keep a few different kinds in my car just in case I forget to grab one when I go somewhere. And yes, when I am alone in an aisle of a store, I may pull it down for a little bit until I see someone coming. Or when I am at work, I may keep it down while working alone in the back. And yes, there are times I forget to put it back on, there are times where I go to seat a guest and realize my mask is in my pocket. It is an adjustment. But we need to do better.
The coronavirus is not going away and if you want things to reopen and get back to some semblance of normal, then I suggest getting on board with masks. The recent increases around the country are alarming. Blame it on whatever you want and I am sure there multiple reasons why the outbreaks keep popping up. But, it seems like in every case the main reason is that people stopped practicing social distancing and wearing masks.
The other day I went to a local bar to pick up a pizza. I had my mask on, but when I went inside, no one was wearing a mask. None of the staff, none of the patrons. The bartender told two older gentlemen that if they said they worked together or that they were family, they could sit next to each other, but if not, they would have to sit with a Plexiglas partition between them. He said “family and coworkers loophole, so just say that so you can sit here.”
The other one I hear is “just say you have a health condition and the store cannot ask for proof, it is a HIPPA violation.” Kudos to the Giant Eagle here for not caving to that one. This lady was screaming at the manager about how she has a medical condition and they cannot deny her entry. The manager said “ma’am, we have curbside pickup, you can use that if you cannot wear a mask inside.” The lady responded with “I am calling my lawyer.”
So wear your mask. Stop yelling at employees about masks, do not call someone a pussy because they have a mask, grow up and be a responsible adult. When this is all over, we can debate whether or not the mask worked, but for now, what is the worst that happens?
