May 25, 2021
To wear a mask or not to wear a mask. I honestly thought it would’ve been easier to make the choice. Last Monday I felt peer pressured into not wearing one. Everyone at my lecture elected to not wear the mask. There I was up front sporting mine! Until I realized how uncomfortable their freedom felt. This past Friday I was the featured attraction at a musical event attended by 297 people. None of us wore the mask. I’m fully vaccinated. I say that not to brag but to relieve myself from the building anxiety. I also don’t want to be a carrier. Over the next three days I was face to face with three times that amount of people fearing if I took off my mask I’d be the infector. Sure, the government has cleared the way for no mask wearing. I see the daily numbers! Those struck by the virus. They had to get it from somewhere. I put myself through a daily test. Before anything happens I taste test, check my smelling and hit the path with a brisk walk to check in with my breathing. During those moments that I chose not to wear a mask it truly felt like I wasn’t wearing underwear. Which you’ll never catch me doing. Chafing is painful. So is the thought of bringing the Covid bug to an innocent bystander. A woman said to me, “I wear a mask in public not because of me but my two children aren’t old enough to get vaccinated.” Then there’s LeBron James. The modern day Marvel hero. The false God to sports fanatics. He was recently asked if he’s been vaccinated. It’s his choice to say yes or no. But to admit nothing just invited millions of his followers to keep clear of what could save their life or someone associated to it. It all reminds me of the opening scene of the movie Saving Private Ryan. Thousands of young men are storming the beach. Hundreds of them are instantly gunned down. I went there because of a news story that claims the world hasn’t seen this much change since WWII. The power of choice. What you decide today will affect and infect others. How much care do you put into the decision?