(Masquerade – a false show or pretense – fa\u00e7ade, playacting)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes\u2026a play on words. Did you ever imagine wearing a mask could be so controversial?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2026sort 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 \u201cSay ahh\u2026\u201d); and \u201cany place where social distancing is difficult. <\/em>You just know this directive had to come from a government office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even with that caveat, there are also explicit exceptions. If an employee, customer or patron claims to have a \u201cmedical or behavioral condition or disability\u201d the order does not apply. This works on the honor system<\/em> \u2013 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? <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019t go out much. For the first few weeks, I didn\u2019t 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, \u201cJust throw me a kiss, Ellee!\u201d 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.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 \u201cMasks are Required\u201d 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 \u2013 and there are many. I asked why the mask-wearing was not being enforced at my favorite department store. \u201cOh, too many people have complained,\u201d came the employee\u2019s answer. \u201cThey said they wouldn\u2019t shop here if they had to wear a mask.\u201d Oh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 \u201cMust Wear Mask\u201d sign was plastered on the doors of the first four restaurants we entered, we were shocked to see wait staff and cooks sprinting around \u2013 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I realize that even \u201cGrade A\u201d 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: \u201cIt\u2019s too hot in the kitchen;\u201d \u201cI can\u2019t breathe;\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s uncomfortable;\u201d and my personal favorite: \u201cI\u2019ll pull it (the mask) out of my pocket when the lunch crowd gets here.\u201d Oh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It has been interesting to note the different styles of mask-wearers and I will list a few here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019t want to wear a mask, but neither do they want to be caught with their mask down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I realize there is much controversy over this manner \u2013 as in all things COVID-19 \u2013 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 \u2013 to you and the people around you? <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wearing a mask may be somewhat uncomfortable, take a little more time, be annoying and hide your pretty smile\u2026but it may also prevent someone you know, or a complete stranger, or even. you from getting this virus. No one knows for sure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" (Masquerade – a false show or pretense – fa\u00e7ade, playacting) Yes\u2026a 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\u2026sort 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…<\/p>\n