Are You Still Wearing Your Mask? You SHOULD Be!

I love the Google Doodle for today reminding all of us that masks are still important. And they most certainly are. Even though vaccination against Covid is progressing nicely, there are still people who refuse to be vaccinated, or who can't get a vaccine, or who simply don't want one. There are people who object on religious grounds, people who object because of a lack of faith in the science or in the government, and people who are just stupid. The world is populated with all types of people, and not all will get vaccinated - EVER. 

I don't see us giving up masks anytime soon. I'm also 
getting so used to wearing one, it's not really a big 
deal to me to wear one or not. Realistically, we'll 
be wearing masks for a long time, so we might as 
well become accustomed to it. 

Where taking temperatures doesn't work very effectively, masks have been proven to help control the spread of the virus from person to person. I require masks from everyone entering my store and my staff is always masked when working with a customer. I think it's common sense. I shop businesses who also enforce a mask mandate. If I'm in a business where they sluff off on masks, they also sluff off on my business - I can buy my goods elsewhere.  

It's important to wear your masks correctly. I'd say 
15% of the customers in my store are actually 
wearing their masks correctly, and some people I 
have to remind constantly to pull their mask over 
their nose. 

Yesterday a customer mentioned to me that she doesn't think we'll ever be free of Covid. My response was that it may become more like the flu - something that is around all the time, but that people can get a vaccination from every year so that they will be more protected. Admittedly, I don't get a flu shot - long history there. But I would get a Covid shot (hopefully a single-dose vaccination). I'm quite sure that the various drug companies are working out plans for long-term world-wide vaccination options, they would be silly to not think ahead. 

There are some people who legitimately can't wear a mask 
easily - autistic and severely asthmatic come to mine 
immediately, along with some sufferers of PTSD. It's 
hard for them to work around the "must wear a mask" 
restrictions that so many of our stores have now. The last 
medically limited person I had in the store who couldn't 
wear a mask wore a face shield instead and also limited 
her time in-store to a minimal amount. 

Meanwhile, I'll continue being a "fashionista" and wear my masks. I love them - they are colorful, funny, and fun. I have my Minions mask in my car so that's worn at the grocery store and other shopping stops. I have my Dinosaurs Roamed the Earth mask in my apron pocket at work, so I can't be caught unaware if I'm not close to my desk and my pile of masks. And my preference at work is my "Original Six Ice Hockey Teams" mask that my customer Mikaela made for me. All different, all fun, and always worn. I'm quite used to masks by now, so no. I'm not putting them aside yet. 

Have a wonderful Tuesday. As always please be kind, stay safe and as I said above, wear your mask. It's for safety, courtesy, and common sense. I'll be back tomorrow.