Don’t Put Your Decision About Wearing A Mask On Me
It’s all on you, including the consequences
I’m angry with myself at the moment. I went to get my hair cut and colored today for the first time since February. I have a job interview tomorrow, and it was way past time.
When I walked in, I was surprised that no one seemed to be masking. I wore one. My stylist did not.
The first thing she said to me was, “You don’t have to wear a mask if you don’t want to.”
I said to her, “I wear it for you. I would hate to think I was the one who gave that virus to anyone.”
She said, “Well, if you want me to wear one, I can. I have one.”
I responded, “You do what you think is right.”
She didn’t wear a mask.
Since I left, I have been so angry with myself. I usually am bold about such things. I live in North Carolina, where good Southern women are not supposed to upset the apple cart, but I’m usually a big apple cart upsetter. It’s not like me to use the passive-aggressive approach.
If we had been talking about a friend or my mom, I would have said, “Of course you need to wear a mask.”
For some reason, when it is myself, I become more reticent.
My state requires stylists to wear masks now. It is optional for customers. It shouldn’t have been a question.
My friend has a salon, and she is masking herself, but allowing her customers to have the option.
My niece has a salon and is requiring both employees and customers to wear masks.
I am angry my stylist put me in the position of making that decision and mad at myself for not being bold enough to require it.
It’s not just about me. I know I am a low risk for severe illness if I get the coronavirus. That doesn’t mean it can’t kill me anyway, but it’s not a significant worry.
Others, however, aren’t as bold as me. They would say the stylist did not have to wear it, even if they were high risk. When I effectively say, “It is fine if you don’t wear one,” the stylists get the idea it doesn’t matter to their customers whether they wear them or not. At least to this customer, it does matter.
I could have easily said something like, “Aren’t you mandated to wear them?” and possibly get the whole salon to re-consider their thoughts. But all I really had to say was, “Yes, please do.”
The CDC still recommends wearing masks, even if they don’t yet know how effective they are for preventing transmission. They have determined you wear the mask more for the benefit of others than yourself. So in other words, her comfort was more important than transmitting the virus to me.
The CDC also cites multiple studies that confirm people who are asymptomatic can and do transmit the disease. Most of us will not be hospitalized or die from this virus, but what about the ones who do? Do you want to be responsible?
I will continue to wear my mask in public areas where maintaining distancing is not a given. When people are involved, it seldom is. We tend to wander towards each other.
But if you put your decision on me in the future, my choice is going to be that you will wear the mask. I know some high-risk individuals who aren’t staying home, and I owe it to them to make sure you protect us.
Yes, masks are uncomfortable, and few of us enjoy wearing them, especially in the summer. But we have to look out for each other. Over 118,000 Americans dead, about half a million people worldwide, and those numbers are climbing. We can’t get those people back. Many more have been and are very, very sick.
Wearing a mask is a relatively painless way to stop the spread. We can rebel in so many ways in this life — is this an issue on which you want to go all out?
Wear a mask, but also keep your distance, wash your hands, and avoid crowds. You’re worth it. Your people are worth it.
And really, I am not your mama. Quit asking me to decide something you’re old enough and smart enough to decide for yourself. But if you do ask me, I will say yes. I think your mama wants you to wear the mask.
