Unmasked Guilt?

Summary

The author recounts an unsettling encounter with a mask-less shopper who insistently offered to show a video of Dr. Fauci without a mask, despite the author's disinterest and concern for safety during the pandemic.

Abstract

While shopping with her daughter, the author was unexpectedly approached by a woman without a mask who questioned her about a video of Dr. Fauci not wearing a mask. The author felt perturbed by the stranger's intrusive behavior and was confused as to why she was being asked about Dr. Fauci's mask-wearing habits, especially since the stranger herself was not wearing a mask. Despite repeatedly declining the offer to view the video on the stranger's phone, the woman persisted, leading the author to question the stranger's judgment and potential health risks. The author's concern grew upon noticing other patrons in the store without masks, and she quickly left with her daughter, advising caution and maintaining distance from those who disregard safety protocols.

Opinions

The author expresses annoyance at being interrupted by the mask-less stranger's unsolicited question about Dr. Fauci's mask usage.
There is a clear sense of disapproval towards the stranger's insistence on showing the video, despite the author's lack of interest and the potential health risk involved.
The author implies that the stranger's behavior is not only intrusive but also hypocritical, given that she was not wearing a mask herself.
The author's opinion on individuals who refuse to wear masks is that they should be considered dangerous, especially in the context of a pandemic.
There is a sense of bewilderment at the stranger's motives for initiating the conversation, as the author was not engaging in any discussion about masks.
The author advises caution and adherence to safety measures, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe distance from those who do not wear masks.

A strange encounter with a mask-less shopper.

Today I took my 15-year old daughter to the store. Once a favorite pastime, now a journey of bare necessity. I was happy to browse around the isles while she did her shopping. Suddenly I was rudely yanked out of my reverie by what appeared to be a female shopper.

“Did you see Fauci, that someone taped and put him on the internet, he was speaking without a mask on”? I blankly looked at the speaker, a bit perturbed. Instinctively I shook my head no. In my mind, the questions began.

Why would I feel the need to monitor whether Fauci wears a mask or not, he ought to know better but if not, what can I do about it. And why in God’s name is this strange woman interrupting me when I have my mask on and so does my daughter to ask me such a question.

Then again, why did this “unmasked” stranger decide to ask me about someone else when she herself does not have a mask on?

She continues rambling on that she has the video and can show it to me. No thank you! I told her I will google it. Again she offers to show it to me. She tells me I have it here, let me show you. I repeat, no … she insists.

Again I tell her no and walk off.

My mind is questioning again, her insistence that I come to look at her phone. Why would I want to be that close to any person in the state of Texas that does not see fit to wear a mask to protect herself to view something on her phone?

Perhaps she possesses some COVID she would like to share.

She went on to state that she had broken her nose and found it difficult to breathe with a mask on and even went so far as to say that she had her mask in her pocketbook and can show it to me.

Keep in mind no words of inquiry escaped my lips. She was nowhere on my radar.

I kept walking to the cash register to get the hell out of there. As I was in this bizarre information exchange with this unmasked stranger. I looked around and realized that several other patrons were mask-less as well.

The cashier to her credit was wearing a mask, residing well below her nose. The theme song from the twilight show is now playing in my head.

I hurried my daughter out of that establishment and she said “mom that was really bizarre. What was that all about?”

I have no answers.

I told my daughter if she ever gets such a ridiculous request like that do not, in today’s pandemic step closer than six feet to look at anyone’s phone or anything else. Most especially if that person is, in my opinion, disrespecting themselves and others by refusing to wear a mask.

They should be deemed dangerous.

Later I reflect on what would make that unmasked stranger approach me with such bizarre information sharing? I was not speaking of masks, I was not on the phone, in fact, I was not speaking at all.

Be vigilant and stay well.