My views on masks have evolved. I never thought they made any sense to stop this virus, it was more symbolic than anything ("This is really serious!!" and "I care, you care, we all care!") but it took a while for it to sink it with me what a seriously, over-the-top nasty thing it is to oblige people to cover their faces-- healthwise, and also psychologically. Doing this to anyone who doesn't wish it, and especially to people with dementia, deaf people, to children, and to anyone with breathing difficulties, or with facial sensitivies (allergies, neuralgia or other such issues), forcing a mask on them is just evil.
Now I'm at the point where I feel red-hot hostility towards the idea of wearing a mask. I do respect other people's right to wear a mask if they choose, and I try to avoid the "raspberry jam," as our kind host puts it (what goes around comes around), but I must admit, when I see a person wearing a mask, my thoughts about their character and intelligence are not of the most charitable nature.
Earlier on in this covidian epoch of epic nonsense, even though I realized that the masks were humbug, I did not always feel up possible confrontations with the Mask Karens and Mask Kens. I witnessed some really ghastly public screaming and yelling episodes over people not wearing masks. In those dark days I was having a rough time (weren't we all, in one way or another) and just trying to stay strong-- I didn't need the PTSD of getting screamed at directly. So I'd put the danged thing on when it was obligatory-- such as in the grocery store and on public transport-- but nose out.
Now, however, I feel very differently about the masks, and I would go to greater lengths to not wear one. If I had to, as for example, on an airplane (and you mess with airplane rules, whatever they may be, and all you'll get is arrested and hauled off the plane). I would wear one in such an instance, if I really had to travel, but the mask would say something on it to protest, such as "1984."
It would take A LOT, but A LOT more to get me to ever wear a mask again in a grocery store or restaurant. Now, I would risk getting yelled at. And if I could, I would go way, way, way out of my way to avoid a place that, on its own discretion, insisted on a mask.
I'm long past trying to talk to people about whether the masks work or not. The people who are all for masking, no matter what you say, what evidence you show them, they just go round and round with their crazy-shale. So I don't care what they think. I won't wear a mask, period. In case any masked person challenges me (and you know what, they may never!!) I am practicing my scary stare. And then, as I lock eyes with them, I would say, very, slowly, "Your mask has a booger on it."
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branchandroot
Some mask reflections
Date: 2023-08-29 11:06 pm (UTC)Now I'm at the point where I feel red-hot hostility towards the idea of wearing a mask. I do respect other people's right to wear a mask if they choose, and I try to avoid the "raspberry jam," as our kind host puts it (what goes around comes around), but I must admit, when I see a person wearing a mask, my thoughts about their character and intelligence are not of the most charitable nature.
Earlier on in this covidian epoch of epic nonsense, even though I realized that the masks were humbug, I did not always feel up possible confrontations with the Mask Karens and Mask Kens. I witnessed some really ghastly public screaming and yelling episodes over people not wearing masks. In those dark days I was having a rough time (weren't we all, in one way or another) and just trying to stay strong-- I didn't need the PTSD of getting screamed at directly. So I'd put the danged thing on when it was obligatory-- such as in the grocery store and on public transport-- but nose out.
Now, however, I feel very differently about the masks, and I would go to greater lengths to not wear one. If I had to, as for example, on an airplane (and you mess with airplane rules, whatever they may be, and all you'll get is arrested and hauled off the plane). I would wear one in such an instance, if I really had to travel, but the mask would say something on it to protest, such as "1984."
It would take A LOT, but A LOT more to get me to ever wear a mask again in a grocery store or restaurant. Now, I would risk getting yelled at. And if I could, I would go way, way, way out of my way to avoid a place that, on its own discretion, insisted on a mask.
I'm long past trying to talk to people about whether the masks work or not. The people who are all for masking, no matter what you say, what evidence you show them, they just go round and round with their crazy-shale. So I don't care what they think. I won't wear a mask, period. In case any masked person challenges me (and you know what, they may never!!) I am practicing my scary stare. And then, as I lock eyes with them, I would say, very, slowly, "Your mask has a booger on it."
Nom du jour: Puce Curmudgeonly Pooka