I Wear a Mask

 

Obviously not while inside by myself, but I wear a mask whenever I expect to walk by people or I am getting a delivery. It’s partly because it is required by our crazy governor (statewide lockdowns are stupid), and partly because I want to protect other people. There’s also the fact that we will enforce masking at work, and I’ll be damned if I enforce a rule I won’t practice myself. (I became a stringent recycler in my private life when I was asked to implement a recycling program at my last job)  It also is not really harming me, and I try to wear only quality American-made masks and bandanas.

I even stopped a pair of police officers and asked if the CPD didn’t give them masks. I said I’d give them bandanas suitable for masks if the department had left them out. Turns out they had just taken them off to talk outside their car. We chatted a bit before I finished heading home with dinner. It’s not like you could actually social distance from your partner in a squad car…

I practice social distancing, but the two-meter rule was not based on hard science, so I treat it as the rough guideline it is.

So when you see a guy with a mask on, he’s not necessarily a disciple of Darth Gretchen ready to destroy the American way of life or a shrinking violet who lives in terror.  Masking is some kind of virtue signaling totem for the left, I don’t want the reverse to be true on the right.

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  1. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    I, too, wear a mask. Do you wear a cape, too?

    OmegaPaladin: Obviously, not while indoors, but I wear a mask whenever I expect to walk by people or I am getting a delivery.

    Indoors is the only place I wear them. Outdoors, there is sunshine and UV rays to kill the virus. Indoors, there are people, often much closer by. That, and disinfectant smells. The mask keeps some of those out.

    • #1
  2. Goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    Goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    I wear a mask too. It just seems the courteous thing to do since there are so many people out there who are genuinely afraid. Some of the social distancing is a bit ridiculous, particularly in the checkout lines as it seems to me that six feet is completely unnecessary and makes for long lines. After all, the person ahead of you in line has a mask on, you have a mask on, and you’re both facing forward in back of your cart in absolutely no danger of breathing on each other. 

    • #2
  3. Kephalithos Member
    Kephalithos
    @Kephalithos

    I don’t.

    • #3
  4. JustmeinAZ Member
    JustmeinAZ
    @JustmeinAZ

    I don’t unless an office or business I am going to requires it. I went to Sonora Quest to get bloodwork this morning and they did not require a mask. I am sick and tired of people who are terrified.

    • #4
  5. 9thDistrictNeighbor Member
    9thDistrictNeighbor
    @9thDistrictNeighbor

    OmegaPaladin: Hell, I even stopped a pair of police officers, and asked if the CPD didn’t give them masks. I said I’d give them bandanas suitable for masks if the department had left them out. Turns out they had just taken them off to talk outside their car. We chatted a bit before I finished heading home with dinner. It’s not like you could actually social distance from your partner in a squad car….

    The CPD sure has enough on their plate without you asking about masks.

    Here is a photo of the mask (singular) issued to each officer), from Second City Cop.

     

    • #5
  6. OldDanRhody's speakeasy Member
    OldDanRhody's speakeasy
    @OldDanRhody

    I usually wear a mask inside places of business because (a) I don’t want to scare the fearful, and (b) I don’t care enough to not wear one just to make a point.

    What I really want Is a mask that says, “SAY IT DON’T SPRAY IT!”

    • #6
  7. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    Same. Mostly, I do it to put people at ease. I’m agnostic about the benefit, but want to encourage people to go back to work and feel reasonably safe doing so.

    • #7
  8. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    OldDanRhody's speakeasy (View Comment):
    What I really want Is a mask that says, “SAY IT DON’T SPRAY IT!”

    Do a search for custom face masks. Seriously, there are plenty of companies out there, and they don’t cost that much.

    • #8
  9. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    Same. Mostly, I do it to put people at ease. I’m agnostic about the benefit, but want to encourage people to go back to work and feel reasonably safe doing so.

    I have allergies, so I cough often. I want people to not burn me at the stake in over-reaction, so I wear a mask. 😸

    • #9
  10. Maguffin Inactive
    Maguffin
    @Maguffin

    I’m actually hoping we are supposed to wear masks for a while longer.  But that’s only because I just found out my wife ordered a Marvin the Martian face mask for me and it hasn’t gotten here yet.

    Some things shouldn’t go to waste.

    It has him saying something about staying 6 feet back.

    Which, now that I think about it, means they may have to get closer than 6 feet to read.

    So, even while virtue signaling I can break the rules.

     

    • #10
  11. Al Sparks Coolidge
    Al Sparks
    @AlSparks

    I rarely wear a mask, only in extreme circumstances.  I have nothing against anyone who does.

    The problem is that people who don’t want to wear a mask are being pressured to wear a mask. Emphasis needs to be on masks that protect the wearer, not everyone else but the wearer.

    As soon as a live and let live attitude regarding non-mask wearing establishes itself, this controversy goes away.

    Again, the responsibility for someone’s health lies with that person.  By all means, find a mask that protects you.  And leave the people who don’t alone.

    • #11
  12. Kephalithos Member
    Kephalithos
    @Kephalithos

    Henry Racette (View Comment): Same. Mostly, I do it to put people at ease. I’m agnostic about the benefit, but want to encourage people to go back to work and feel reasonably safe doing so.

    I’m under no moral obligation to do something medically unnecessary merely to “put people at ease,” just as I’m under no moral obligation to call a man “she” merely because he threatens to throw a tantrum. The paranoia of others is their problem, not mine.

    Doctors, grocery-store clerks, and other people who spend all day around crowds have a darn good reason to wear masks at work. Bill, who walks his dog in a homemade hazmat suit? He’s a fool, and I refuse to indulge him.

    • #12
  13. Jules PA Inactive
    Jules PA
    @JulesPA

    OmegaPaladin: Darth Gretchen

    Fantastic. 

    Also “Fascist Queen of Michigan.” (Per Andrew Klavan.)

    • #13
  14. MarciN Member
    MarciN
    @MarciN

    What I have noticed in stores where people are wearing masks is that there’s more conversation among strangers. It’s kind of sweet, actually. It’s as if people are trying to reach out to one another in some other way since they can’t smile at each other for the time being. 

    • #14
  15. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    Kephalithos (View Comment):

    Henry Racette (View Comment): Same. Mostly, I do it to put people at ease. I’m agnostic about the benefit, but want to encourage people to go back to work and feel reasonably safe doing so.

    I’m under no moral obligation to do something medically unnecessary merely to “put people at ease,” just as I’m under no moral obligation to call a man “she” merely because he threatens to throw a tantrum. The paranoia of others is their problem, not mine.

    Doctors, grocery-store clerks, and other people who spend all day around crowds have a darn good reason to wear masks at work. Bill, who walks his dog in a homemade hazmat suit? He’s a fool, and I refuse to indulge him.

    You’re also under no moral obligation to wear deodorant, wash your hair, or refrain from muttering under your breath as you shuffle through Wal*Mart. But the world is a nicer place because some people do.

    As for the mask, I figure I have a personal interest in putting people at ease, because my ability to legally resume a normal life depends, unfortunately, on the degree to which my fellow Americans are at ease, and willing to end the panic and restore our liberty. So I’m happy to wear a mask if it helps motivate others to call for our collective freedom.

    Of course, I won’t ask anyone else to make that choice.

    • #15
  16. OmegaPaladin Moderator
    OmegaPaladin
    @OmegaPaladin

    Arahant (View Comment):

    OmegaPaladin: Obviously, not while indoors, but I wear a mask whenever I expect to walk by people or I am getting a delivery.

    Indoors is the only place I wear them. Outdoors, there is sunshine and UV rays to kill the virus. Indoors, there are people, often much closer by. That, and disinfectant smells. The mask keeps some of those out.

    Thank you for mentioning that – I edited the post to better reflect that I leave the mask off while at home by myself.

    • #16
  17. 9thDistrictNeighbor Member
    9thDistrictNeighbor
    @9thDistrictNeighbor

    MarciN (View Comment):

    What I have noticed in stores where people are wearing masks is that there’s more conversation among strangers. It’s kind of sweet, actually. It’s as if people are trying to reach out to one another in some other way since they can’t smile at each other for the time being.

    Around here it is often the opposite…people won’t even look at each other let alone speak. 

    • #17
  18. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    9thDistrictNeighbor (View Comment):

    MarciN (View Comment):

    What I have noticed in stores where people are wearing masks is that there’s more conversation among strangers. It’s kind of sweet, actually. It’s as if people are trying to reach out to one another in some other way since they can’t smile at each other for the time being.

    Around here it is often the opposite…people won’t even look at each other let alone speak.

    I’ve also noticed what Marci describes. People often seem willing to laugh and roll their eyes at the whole thing, and every time I’ve mentioned that I’m not worried about getting sick, the people I’ve spoken with have agreed that they really aren’t either.

    • #18
  19. Jules PA Inactive
    Jules PA
    @JulesPA

    It is important, I think, not to be to strenuous on wearing of mask, to bring levity to it all. It’s said, a merry heart is like medicine. This to ensure our betters enforce the masks for well less than eternity eternity, not for as long as it suits their agenda. 

    At some point masking us becomes the same as enforced speech, by costume. 

    I am not positive if masks have some or no protective value. I do wear a mask, and sew them, and give them away. Because for now, it is how I can get groceries. 

    Time will tell if the mask is akin to a mark of the beast, or just a way to be super-dooper safe.

    I look forward to our great un-masking: Sooner, than later.

    • #19
  20. OldPhil Coolidge
    OldPhil
    @OldPhil

    Hell, I even stopped a pair of police officers, and asked if the CPD didn’t give them masks.

    See the source image

    • #20
  21. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    Kephalithos (View Comment):
    I’m under no moral obligation to do something medically unnecessary merely to “put people at ease,”

    I don’t care about your moral obligations, @christopherriley, just put your pants on. You’re frightening the women and horses.

    • #21
  22. MarciN Member
    MarciN
    @MarciN

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    9thDistrictNeighbor (View Comment):

    MarciN (View Comment):

    What I have noticed in stores where people are wearing masks is that there’s more conversation among strangers. It’s kind of sweet, actually. It’s as if people are trying to reach out to one another in some other way since they can’t smile at each other for the time being.

    Around here it is often the opposite…people won’t even look at each other let alone speak.

    I’ve also noticed what Marci describes. People often seem willing to laugh and roll their eyes at the whole thing, and every time I’ve mentioned that I’m not worried about getting sick, the people I’ve spoken with have agreed that they really aren’t either.

    Exactly. A lot of good laughs. :-)

    • #22
  23. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    Maguffin (View Comment):
    I’m actually hoping we are supposed to wear masks for a while longer. But that’s only because I just found out my wife ordered a Marvin the Martian face mask for me and it hasn’t gotten here yet.

    I have a few good ones coming, too. Some are based on paintings, such as “The Scream” and “Starry Night.”

    • #23
  24. CJ Inactive
    CJ
    @cjherod

    OldDanRhody's speakeasy (View Comment):

    I usually wear a mask inside places of business because (a) I don’t want to scare the fearful, and (b) I don’t care enough to not wear one just to make a point.

    What I really want Is a mask that says, “SAY IT DON’T SPRAY IT!”

    I don’t wear a mask so I can scare people into staying home, where they’ll be safe. #caring

    • #24
  25. Vince Guerra Inactive
    Vince Guerra
    @VinceGuerra

    Wearing a mask or not should be the same as openly carrying a firearm. If you want to, great, if not, whatever. Carrying a firearm might make some people uneasy, but that is none my concern. 

    • #25
  26. E. Kent Golding Moderator
    E. Kent Golding
    @EKentGolding

    Corona ( and Lyme disease ) are highly concentrated in certain geographic areas.   What is prudent for the subway in NYNY  may not be necessary on horseback in Montana.   One size does not fit all.    Where I live,   wearing masks in the grocery store  and drive through windows only makes sense.     My employer also requires a mask, and I want to continue working.

    I also frequent the cautious grocer ( which is quite expensive ),  and avoid Kroger where the employees don’t cover their noses with their masks.   I think of the local Kroger as DeathGrocer 2020.   Because the cautious grocer is expensive,  it is less crowded also.

    • #26
  27. E. Kent Golding Moderator
    E. Kent Golding
    @EKentGolding

    Vince Guerra (View Comment):

    Wearing a mask or not should be the same as openly carrying a firearm. If you want to, great, if not, whatever. Carrying a firearm might make some people uneasy, but that is none my concern.

    No,  Guns seldom accidentally discharge hitting random people.    If you are in NY,  New Jersey, or Detroit I think you should be required to wear a mask and social distance,   and I think there should be some legal consequences that should cause you concern.      If you are in the low incidence areas,  masks should be more optional.

    • #27
  28. Kephalithos Member
    Kephalithos
    @Kephalithos

    Henry Racette (View Comment): As for the mask, I figure I have a personal interest in putting people at ease, because my ability to legally resume a normal life depends, unfortunately, on the degree to which my fellow Americans are at ease, and willing to end the panic and restore our liberty.

    A world in which people fear showing their faces to each other is hardly a world “at ease.” On the contrary, it’s a hell. As long as people are wearing masks, the crisis is still ongoing, and everything is still terrible.

    Wear one. Whatever. We’re all [redacted]ed, anyway.

    • #28
  29. OmegaPaladin Moderator
    OmegaPaladin
    @OmegaPaladin

    OldPhil (View Comment):

    Hell, I even stopped a pair of police officers, and asked if the CPD didn’t give them masks.

    See the source image

    They were chatting outside of their patrol car along the sidewalk I was walking on.  I had read on Second City Cop about the CPD not giving out masks or PPE.  I always try to make a friendly remark to officers who are not obviously busy.

    • #29
  30. Aaron Miller Inactive
    Aaron Miller
    @AaronMiller

    Until the virus picks up again, we are in an awkward phase when you never know which store, business, or person expects visitors to wear masks. I expect it will be more normal when the virus reaches 20% of the general population. 

    • #30
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