Caregiver to Caregiver

(Masquerade – a false show or pretense – façade, playacting)

Yes…a play on words. Did you ever imagine wearing a mask could be so controversial?

So many questions. Such diverse answers. In June, our governor in North Carolina issued an executive order requiring face masks to be worn in public…sort of. Citizens have been informed (or directed/ordered/mandated/encouraged) that we are to wear masks in retail stores; restaurants (may be removed at your table while eating or drinking); personal care businesses (may be removed if receiving a facial treatment); in government buildings; while using public or private transportation that is regulated by the state; long-term and health care facilities (may be removed if your doctor instructs you to “Say ahh…”); and “any place where social distancing is difficult. You just know this directive had to come from a government office.

Even with that caveat, there are also explicit exceptions. If an employee, customer or patron claims to have a “medical or behavioral condition or disability” the order does not apply. This works on the honor system – so anyone who claims almost any reason for not wearing a mask (it may make my mouth feel dry; I will look silly) will be allowed to go mask-less and will not be questioned further. There is no recourse for business owners. Although law enforcement cannot criminally enforce the mask mandate against individual workers, customers or patrons, if a person, employee or customer refuse to wear a mask and refuses to leave the business, then law enforcement can enforce trespassing laws. That makes perfect sense, right? 

Since COVID-19 arrived, I have endeavored to be heedful of good health practices that would protect me and my family and those with whom I come in close contact. For a while, I didn’t go out much. For the first few weeks, I didn’t even hug my grandkids. It was heartbreaking seeing Ellee Ruth running towards me, arms open wide to be swept up, only to have to put out my hand and say, “Just throw me a kiss, Ellee!” At first, she would burst into tears; but she did learn to throw beautiful kisses and continues to do so now, even though we are observing less rigid guidelines. (No face kisses, but hugs are fine.) 

Now that businesses are reopening, I have tread cautiously. I made my first mask and wore it in all public places. After all, on every door I entered, there was a sign declaring “Masks are Required” so I thought it was the right thing to do. It was concerning to realize how many people did not consider the mask mandate was meant for them – and there are many. I asked why the mask-wearing was not being enforced at my favorite department store. “Oh, too many people have complained,” came the employee’s answer. “They said they wouldn’t shop here if they had to wear a mask.” Oh.

When restaurants opened their dining rooms, I was not in too much of a hurry to return. But on my birthday, I accepted an invitation to breakfast from my daughter Rachel. Even though a “Must Wear Mask” sign was plastered on the doors of the first four restaurants we entered, we were shocked to see wait staff and cooks sprinting around – without masks. We left each one in turn; the staff at restaurant number five had chosen to abide by the mandate. We stayed and thoroughly enjoyed our noon breakfast. 

I realize that even “Grade A” restaurants are not the most hygienic places in the world but observing food-service employees disregarding the mask mandate caught my attention and made me wonder what other sanitary guidelines they might ignore. Like washing their hands after going to the bathroom. I also noticed a lot of scratching, hair rearranging, nose wiping, and eating and drinking followed by their serving others without washing their hands. Gross. Yes, I did inquire about the absence of masks and was given many excuses: “It’s too hot in the kitchen;” “I can’t breathe;” “It’s uncomfortable;” and my personal favorite: “I’ll pull it (the mask) out of my pocket when the lunch crowd gets here.” Oh.

It has been interesting to note the different styles of mask-wearers and I will list a few here.

• Chinny-chin-chin – mask pulled down to cover chin; mouth and nose completely exposed. Why bother? 
• Tip of the nose – mask pulled down so nostrils are visible. Useless.
• Fashionista – designer masks to match one’s outfit; the accessory with purpose for the COVID-19 era.
• Cutesy – I love the ones with the ear-to-ear smile motif; and they are effective.
• Dumbo – (this has nothing to do with the brain – I think) mask attached to one ear by strap and allowed to hang down on shoulder; yesterday I saw a man 

wearing his mask this way in a big-box store. When I started up the aisle and he saw me, he immediately pulled his mask in place. I suppose this is the style for those who don’t want to wear a mask, but neither do they want to be caught with their mask down. 

• Political statement – printed with name of favorite cause or candidate; again, this is effective, even if you don’t agree with their views.
• Not at all – These are members of the “never-mask” group whose mantra is, “No one’s going to tell me I have to wear a mask!” Or, maybe they have a “medical or behavioral condition or disability.”
• Concerned and caring – they follow the guidelines to a “M” (for mask). They think there is actually value in the old adages “better safe than sorry” and “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” 

When I was a nurse, masks were an everyday routine. Staff who worked directly with patients were required to wear them if the patient had been diagnosed with a contagious illness, was immune compromised, or if they themselves had a cold/sniffles. When coming in contact with patients, we always washed our hands and donned disposable gloves; afterwards we carefully removed them and washed our hands again. If warranted, we also wore disposable gowns and shoe covers. We did this to protect our patients and ourselves. Never once did I contract any illness from my patients. 

I realize there is much controversy over this manner – as in all things COVID-19 – and as soon as you here one doctor say masks are effective the next one says not so much. But what if they do offer some protection – to you and the people around you? 

The last time I was in Wal-Mart, there were two-check-out lines to choose from. There was only one customer in one of them, but he was not wearing a mask. There were three customers in the other, but they were all wearing masks. Which line did I choose?

Wearing a mask may be somewhat uncomfortable, take a little more time, be annoying and hide your pretty smile…but it may also prevent someone you know, or a complete stranger, or even. you from getting this virus. No one knows for sure. 

You may consider the mandate to wear a mask an ill-conceived notion or a gesture that enables life to get back to a semblance of normalcy. There are no legal consequences if you refuse. Time will tell if there are health consequences.