A Day Without Masks

I remember the first day of lock down for me. It started on March 13 2020, after a phone call from my boss with the State.

I mapped out for her exactly how this whole thing was going to play out, and it played out exactly the way I said it would. She asked me yesterday, how did I know that it would play out the way it did, I told her it was because I had spent my entire life dealing with the government.

I was born into a military family. I grew up in military towns and on military bases. I spent four years in the military, and I have worked closely with the military almost all my adult life. I know how the government thinks, and how they operate.

I have no issue with the wearing of masks, and I have no issue with those that do not choose to wear one. So, I was surprised to find today pleasant, with an actual mild feeling of liberation, after going the whole day in public without a mask.

I live in a small rural area. Very few of us was impacted personally by COVID. We had very few deaths that they attributed to COVID, so it was not a surprise to see the number of people that went maskless. I was surprised at a few that gave up their mask, because they had shown a true reluctance at giving up wearing the masks. But there they were, no masks, and faces beaming.

I think what surprised me the most, was how easy this tiny return to normalcy presented itself. There was just people with faces that you could see. Smiles that went beyond their eyes, and a warmth that reminded me so much of how the color returned to the world in the movie "The Giver".

It just felt natural.

And good.

a reply to: NightSkyeB4Dawn

Went to the casino last night and for the first time in a long time...no mask at all...even able to smoke at the tables again. Although apparently spitting your dip was a no no unless you backed away from the tables...guy next to me was scolded for that. One of the nicest times out on a very long time!

We've been practicing outside in the parking lot in the evenings. One of the features, of course, has been that you don't need to wear masks outside, so we've been allowed to remove our masks outside once we get out and spread out some.

Since the local mask ordinances were still in place for indoors everywhere, the first night there were maybe three or four of us that removed ours right away, but as time has gone on, more and more are taking theirs off.

Now that the ordinances have been dropped, it will be interesting to see where we are with them.

And it's very, very nice to not have to wear them everywhere although some places do want them. Some counties in this area let their ordinances lapse sooner than others. The sushi place I eat at has been mask optional for a week or so now, but the coffee shop just down the way from it still wants masks. Last time I was there on Friday, everyone was eating outside because no one had to wear a mask outside at all.

The small pet store we use for our boutique cat food dropped masking requirement right away because with animals onsite, it's very uncomfortable for employees to have to wear masks all day and work there. They were more than ready to get rid of them although they won't stop other from wearing them if they feel better about things with them on.

And I may have indulged in a fishbowl-sized celebratory margarita at lunch today.

originally posted by: RickyD
a reply to: NightSkyeB4Dawn

Went to the casino last night and for the first time in a long time...no mask at all...even able to smoke at the tables again. Although apparently spitting your dip was a no no unless you backed away from the tables...guy next to me was scolded for that. One of the nicest times out on a very long time!

I thought it was going to be a slow transition, but around here, it looks like the majority of the people have jumped in with both feet.

a reply to: NightSkyeB4Dawn

There were quite a few around here today going without, even in places that had signs up asking for masks. We shopped at an Academy that had up signs requesting them but not requiring them and I'd say it was maybe 2/3 without.

a reply to: ketsuko

I am interested in seeing how it will play out at church tomorrow.

I am sure it will likely be about half and half. I know that the servers have been requested to continue to wear masks, but because of the area, and because we have had a couple of people that have been fully vaccinated still test positive for the virus, I am sure the Pastors will not take the risk of allowing the staff to go maskless just yet.

But I will see.

a reply to: NightSkyeB4Dawn

As soon as they said all vaccinated folks can be free...everyone for the most part was like...well yea sure I'm vaccinated too. And just like most here said...no one has the right to ask you for proof as that is protected medical info...so over night masks were a thing of the past in most places. Some franchises and restaurants still require them but I will be doing my best to avoid that if it all possible...you know vote with your wallet type deal. Anyway its been really nice to live like a normal human again...

It was reported in the local news that our legislature passed a bill protecting businesses and houses of worship from COVID liability suits. It sets the bar that there has to be both proof that the person was actually sickened with COVID and that it was due to willful negligence on the part of the party they are going after.

So nuisance suits should be trimmed somewhat.

a reply to: RickyD

I spoke with a neighbor that works at a market in town. He said the employees were told they did not have to wear a mask if that were vaccinated, and that it was on the honor system, because the establishment was not going to ask anyone if they had received the vaccine or not.

I sort of believe that is the way that most places around here will handle it.

a reply to: NightSkyeB4Dawn

They've been keeping informal track of us because we've had to ask off for vaccination where I am at. So for some of us, they do know. Like they know I am or at least that I've said I've been in late because of the shots. Now, I might be lying about it all since they didn't ask for me to provide my vaccine card, but I didn't lie about it. I saw no real reason to.

I've been going without a mask, too. I am going to miss being able to hide behind a mask, sunglasses and hoodie.

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: NightSkyeB4Dawn

They've been keeping informal track of us because we've had to ask off for vaccination where I am at. So for some of us, they do know. Like they know I am or at least that I've said I've been in late because of the shots. Now, I might be lying about it all since they didn't ask for me to provide my vaccine card, but I didn't lie about it. I saw no real reason to.

In other areas it may be a problem. I just don't see it being a problem around here. But I could be wrong.

I only know a few people that have a problem with masks, or a problem with vaccines, but they are not fanatics, so I think the mask thing will die a quick death, unless people start getting sick.

Which I think would be a bit of a sticky wicket, since I am sure they will want to blame it on unvaccinated people not wearing mask, instead of vaccines that failed to provide protection. Though maybe it would be an opportunity to make lemonade, because at least it would increase the number of people that acquired natural immunity.

originally posted by: tamusan
I've been going without a mask, too. I am going to miss being able to hide behind a mask, sunglasses and hoodie.

Yeah, back to adding make-up to the expense budget. Back to coiffing the hair, since the mask excuse will be removed.

What am I going to do with all the masks that match my outfits?

a reply to: NightSkyeB4Dawn

Yeah, I've not been missing makeup. It makes my face feel gunky, but I'll have to start wearing a bit in the office when they drop the mandate at work.

I think we're going to burn most of our masks, but I think we'll keep some of the lighter weight athletic ones back just in case. Plus they were expensive.

a reply to: tamusan

I'll still be wearing a mask in public in every situation I'll be allowed to do so. Unlike most folks who have hated them it's been wonderful to go around incognito. Sunglasses and a hat, just fantastic.

a reply to: Hypntick

Nobody pays enough attention to things that matter...you think anyone pays attention to strangers like that. Don't fool yourself...you are already incognito. When you're the oddball few with a mask on...you're gonna stick out like a sore thumb.

a reply to: RickyD

I've been the oddball without the mask most of my life, this way people can't see how ugly I really am. Less shaving needed, can do outfit matches, and even if people do look at me no big deal

a reply to: Hypntick

If I had one handy I'd toss a pic in but lets just say gandolf would be proud of my beard and ZZ-Top would hi five me lol!

a reply to: NightSkyeB4Dawn

I just go outside and do whatever the # i want because i'm a grown up who doesn't need to be told it's ok to go outside without a #ing piece of cloth on my face.

Sorry to say, Americans don't have enough HONOR to have an honor system.

That's being said. I don't agree with showing "your papers".

So we'll see what happens now.

I feel this way. You had time to get vaccinated. If you choose to, great. If you choose not to, great. Let people be responsible for their own health.

Time to move on.