There are so many videos of people having an immature hissy fit over being asked to wear a mask. They are now, so it seems, starting to make up medical excuses about why they aren’t wearing a mask. Many seem to think it is a political statement rather than a health statement in needing to wear one. I have people in my own circle who think it’s an affront to wear one because they aren’t sick (that anyone is aware of anyway).
At the same time, cases are starting to grow again—see Texas, Florida, Arizona, New Mexico and California, which means people are going to end up in the emergency room again, which means people are going to end up in intensive care again, which ultimately means more people are going to die. Mostly because some people believe their rights are being trampled on in being asked to wear a mask.
I mean, really! I get so angry right now over people thinking they have the right to potentially make others sick. That is what it boils down to. If feels like they are so self-centered, so ego-centric, so callous, so [fill in black], they can’t see the harm happening around them. What is so ironic is they don’t see how their refusal to wear a mask is part of the reason we can’t fully open the country back up.
If 95% of the population (sorry, if one is under the age of five, I give them a pass due to their lack of maturity and awareness, in most cases, of what is happening around them), would just put on a mask, which covers their nose and their mouth appropriately, many things we want as a society could happen.
If 95% of the population wore a mask, all the parks and playgrounds across the country could open up. We would be free to walk about and enjoy nature again. Camping would be available. Mountain and motor bike competitions could happen. Car racing could start again.
If 95% of the population wore a mask, our professional sports teams could begin again. We could sit in stadiums, cheering on our favorite athletes, and enjoying a cold beverage through a straw. Side note: Personally I wouldn’t recommend selling food because it is hard to eat with a mask, nor alcohol of any sort because too many people get inebriated, then off come the masks.
If 95% of the population wore a mask, government offices could reopen in earnest. One could get one’s driver’s licenses, car registrations, register to vote, and any other government related concerns could be handled in person.
If 95% of the population wore masks, schools would be able to open with fewer concerns about safety than what is being optioned at this time. Students in 2nd – 3rd graders are capable of wearing a mask the majority of the day. 4th graders and up are capable of wearing them all day. Kinder and 1st graders are capable of being taught how to properly wear a mask and to practice wearing one throughout the day.
If 95% of the population wore a mask, just about any business there is could reopen. Theaters, hair salons, tanning salons, nail salons, clothing stores, book stores, furniture stores, antique stores, auction houses, you name it, it could probably open. Eating out or bars are just about the only businesses that come to mind that couldn’t open; restaurants and bars will need to discover a new way of being or they will go out of business (and the laws/regulations that govern them also need to change with the current times to help them). I didn’t say establishments would be business as usual, because I don’t think that is possible now, nor will it return to the old normal again, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
All of the above is good, but if 95% of the population wore a mask, we could actually save human lives. Our brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, sons, daughters, and yes, even complete strangers might live to see another day.
So, I am one of those people who do not like wearing a mask. However, I have become accustomed to it as would we all. I wear a mask because I want to be safe around everyone. I do it for all of you. I just wish you would have the same consideration for me, and for all of our fellow human beings.
Please, kindly put your mask on. The world does not revolve around you, so please stop acting as if it does.
Save us to save yourself.
Wear a mask! Wear it properly! Wear it proudly!
Personal Reflections of a Middle-Aged Man 