July 10, 2024
Four years at a glance. The N95 rules.
Not long ago it seemed like every-damn-body in the world had quit wearing masks. As a senior, I’m in danger by default. I’m also determined to stay healthy and am used to being a solitary masker. Yet at times I felt isolated, like a kid who’s been left out of a soccer game.
I don’t feel that way anymore because I’ve joined a new team. Much to my delight, #Yallmasking has been trending on X / Twitter and is attracting a lot of followers. Geezers, teens, and folks in between are sharing stories and finding the community that we didn’t know we had.
My own post racked up more than 800 likes and nearly 7,000 views, far above my usual average. However, this isn’t about analytics or, as Becca points out, virtue-signaling.
If you don’t read the news these days, here’s a flash: Covid is still around. The virus hasn’t been eradicated like smallpox or purged from the USA like polio. We’re seeing a summer surge in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. The wave landed earlier than last year, with new variants leading the way. This raises the risk of serious illness for those who are 65 and over, have compromised immune systems or any of a long list of diseases. And don’t forget long Covid. Millions of sufferers can’t.
What’s worst is that some states and cities are banning masks in an effort to cope with crime and protests over the war in Gaza. Though they may include medical exceptions, these laws put the burden of proof on innocent people who are trying to protect themselves. I’m keeping my N95 even if it lands me in a cell. Y’all take care, be safe, and know that you are definitely not alone.