Life behind a mask
The Masked Columnist
By Dale Kovar
On July 25 , 2020 , the order went into effect that people in Minnesota are to wear masks in most indoor settings to reduce spread of COVID-19 .
A year ago when I would see images on tv of people in China wearing masks out on the streets , I never imagined that such scenes would ever become our reality .
We hear and read the extreme versions of both kinds – the gloom-and-doom about how the virus will kill us all versus the conspiracy theories of how the most powerful people in world are using fear to intimidate and control everyone .
Because this is a global problem , it appears to be more than just dirty American politics .
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There were a couple significant moments in which I formed my opinions of what to believe .
First was when the NCAA cancelled its March Madness tournament in the spring . For all the universities , tv networks , sponsors , etc . to give up and walk away from all the money that event generates , I concluded that this virus situation must be rather serious .
A few months later , as there wasn ’ t an apparent end to the pandemic in sight , I heard a brief news item about Walmart developing drive-in theatres in some of its parking lots . That told me we ’ re in for a long haul yet . If the successful retail giant is making that investment , it is for what the future will be , not a short-term fix . Back to masks : As the order went into effect , knowing this was uncharted territory , I started keeping a diary of my mask experiences . My general approach is to comply where I am expected to wear a mask , but not any other time . On the first weekend , I did have a few short shopping stops , and masked up as needed .
However , on Sunday afternoon I made a quick trip to town for one item needed for a recipe . I arrived at the grocery store and my shoulders sunk with a heavy sigh as I realized I didn ’ t have a mask along and everyone else did .
Since it was a singleitem mission , I just went in , got my product , and got out as quick as I could . No one said a word .
On Monday , back to work for the first period of extended-time mask-wearing , I quickly realized several things .
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Besides the fogging of my glasses , most noticeable was how dependent I am on licking my fingers to handle pieces of paper . They ’ re just so hard to move apart without any moisture .
After that was trying to lick envelopes , which of course , can ’ t be done with a mask in place .
I also learned to make sure a mask is put on with the correct side up – it is less uncomfortable that way .
After a few days , it still felt foolish to put a mask on going into every building , even with the knowledge that everyone else is supposed to as well .
I also learned to keep a couple masks in every vehicle so we would have them as needed , especially for any unplanned stops .
In early August , I was the substitute driver for one of our newspaper delivery routes . That involves taking bundles of papers to post offices and newsstand locations in several towns throughout our readership area .
For the newsstands , I carry a scissors to cut open the bundle as new papers are put in place of the old .
Along the way I realized that this year , it is now acceptable for me to put on a mask and carry a weapon into a convenience store .
Next , at my eye doctor ’ s office , they taped the top of my mask to my nose to reduce the fogging so I could complete an eye exam . If you have to wear a mask for extended periods and have trouble with fogging glasses , that is a technique worth a try . ( A co-worker suggested using a staple gun instead of tape .)
A few weeks into the order with masks now a habit , I inadvertently went into a convenience store without one . Again it felt quite uncomfortable to be non-compliant , but again , no one said anything .
Over time , I became more adept at putting a mask on as well as removing it . That includes learning not to aggressively rip it off unless I am sure it isn ’ t taking my
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There may be one potential upside to mask-wearing beyond the stated medical reasons . When the first winter chill arrived in October , I noticed it wasn ’ t so bad with a mask on outside . It ’ s still too early to tell , but perhaps wearing a face mask outside just might be a permanent tool in living through our Minnesota winters .
I have no final revelations or conclusions .
It seems more likely at this point we will not return to what we would call normal . Hopefully some things will be like they were , but our world has changed and we will have to see what it has in store for us .
SeniorConnectionsHJ . COM Senior Connections Nov / Dec 2020
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