Here’s Two More Reasons to Mask Up

Here in the United States, where I live, we thought we were entering a new “pandemic-is-ending” phase. As many of us got vaccinated, we felt protected — and, indeed, the number of cases was dropping for a while, particularly in areas where people embraced the vaccine. Mask mandates ended. Places that had voluntarily closed beyond any government-imposed shutdowns began opening their doors. If we were paying attention, we knew that COVID-19 was still raging in many places outside the U.S., but we still felt like we’d turned the corner.

And then the delta variant changed things. Now some places are requiring masks again. Some schools, workplaces, or voluntary activities, no longer trusting that enough people will do the right thing, are making vaccines mandatory. We are once again asking, “What’s safe?”

It’s time to don our masks again

… and, if for some reason, you, dear reader, are able to be vaccinated but have not yet done so, it’s time to take care of that.

I know enough about my regular readers to guess that those who have been able to get the vaccine probably have done so. I also don’t think I can convince people who are strongly against the vaccine to get vaccinated. But if you’re on the fence, please consider these reasons to mask up as reasons to get vaccinated as well. And if you aren’t crazy about voluntarily wearing a mask again, read on.

Another year of isolation will be very hard on many of us.

When the pandemic-related shutdowns began last year, many people were concerned about the toll these shutdowns would take on mental health. Indeed, the isolation was hard on many (probably most of us), and especially so for young people. But the majority of us got by one way or another. This includes people I know who were in high-risk groups and who lived alone. It was a difficult time, but they weathered the storm.

But if people in high-risk groups have to self-isolate again in the near future, I think it will be far more difficult on them the second time around. Loneliness can be brutal. If we’re truly concerned about the toll that the pandemic can take on mental health, it’s important that we work hard to beat it. Masking up and getting vaccinated are both excellent ways to do this, as well as staying home when you are sick.

If people feel unsafe, this could harm many businesses.

Another concern people had last year was the effect shutdowns would have upon businesses and other organizations, such as arts groups. In fact, some businesses have failed as a result of the pandemic. Of course businesses fail all the time, particularly during economic downturns or as a result of failing to adapt to cultural changes, and it’s always hard to see organizations you love disappear.

But watching places we loved close due to the pandemic seems to add insult to injury. Some people may blame the shutdowns, although I don’t think it’s that simple. Within the United States now, a number of people have postponed travel plans because of the delta variant. It doesn’t take government-imposed shutdowns to slow consumer spending.

The happy news is that many independent businesses and cultural organizations have survived because they were able to adapt and stay afloat long enough to reopen their doors recently as people began to feel safer going out.

But if we continue to experience wave upon wave of COVID-19 cases, people may feel unsafe enough about going out that these businesses will once again suffer… and sooner or later, many more will end up closing.

If it helps, here’s a list of things that are more uncomfortable than wearing a mask.

I understand the discomfort of wearing a mask. Yes, it sometimes can feel more difficult to breath — particularly if you are exercising — when you have a mask on.

But it may help to think of all of the things you may have endured, or watched others endure, that are far worse than a wearing a mask. (And I’m not counting COVID-19 in this list, though it certainly could be included.)

For example…

• Giving birth (in fact, many part of pregnancy can be more uncomfortable than wearing a mask)
• Appendicitis
• Passing a kidney stone
• Waking up in the middle of the night with a charley horse
• Prepping for a colonoscopy (If you are of the age to do this and have been avoiding it, please don’t let the prep discourage you from getting a colonoscopy. No, the prep isn’t pleasant, but it is far better than dying of colon cancer.)
• An intense job interview
• Asking someone on a date (unless you are supremely confident or don’t care about the outcome)
• A gastrointestinal illness that has you vomiting long after you’ve emptied your stomach, leaving you so wrung out that you just fall asleep on the floor near the toilet after your umpteenth trip to the bathroom, and you are so feverish that the cool tiles actually feel good (or was that just me?)

I’m sure you could add to this list. The point is: You’ve already endured extremely unpleasant things. You are strong, and you can do this. Let’s put on our masks and (if we haven’t already) get our vaccinations and get this thing under control.

Note: I have a family commitment and will be taking about a month off the blog. The next post should be on Monday, September 20.