COVID-19 and you…and me
I don’t know about you, but this virus has really gotten to me. I see how people are reacting to friends and relatives in very bad ways. These reactions have been over very troubling stories coming from the media as well as our States’ leadership.
Which is it? Do the masks actually work? OR do they do more harm than good.
I have seen angry responses from some of the most grounded people I know. They begin to rush to judgement before they receive the whole story. They not only rush to judgement, but also make giant leaps into a persons’ actual motives or intent, sometimes claiming outright malice. I have had people claim that “if you don’t wear a mask”, you are “homicidal” against your neighbor. Or you “you don’t care about the elderly.”
Let me assure you that your wearing of a mask does not automatically indicate to me that you care more about the elderly or those most at risk. I won’t make that rush to judgement. By getting angry at someone and yelling at them sure doesn’t reduce the aerosols being left in the air. I hope you are aware, that your belief that mask wearing is the only method for fighting this virus, is only part of the story. I hope you are also aware that sometimes things aren’t always as you assume them to be. I’ll tell you my story, in hopes of dispelling some misconceptions about how I have come to behave.
The story starts with my personal struggle with asthma. I generally have a cough. It’s a mild one, but the cough is there. It is something that I have come to live with. Unfortunately, now that COVID-19 is rearing its ugly head, this cough makes me stand out. The expressions on peoples faces when they hear a cough these days is one of disgust. The looks of anger and hatred are real. If you haven’t picked up on it yet – I do not wear a mask. Why?!? I have tried to. I truly have. Every mask that I have worn has caused me to struggle much more with my breathing. Since I have a hard time already, this breathing of my hot breath over and over again, only makes me breath harder. It’s more than I care to deal with. I know, I know, I should wear a mask for that very reason. If I catch this virus, it could very well kill me because of this underlying condition. However, (this is where I believe that everyone should stop judging each other based on if they are wearing a mask or not) If I wear a mask, I hyperventilate. That leads me to breathing heavier – and ultimately expelling more aerosols into the air. I am not sure how THAT is helping anyone. I choose to go without, and keep a distance so I won’t have to stress my breathing.
Obviously, by my actions, I must hate the elderly, or the sick, or any other group that chooses to jump on the “You must hate me” band-wagon. I assure you, you are better off with me standing farther away from you and not having my breath exaggerated by the affects of the mask. I will gladly stand farther away from you. I will also gladly let you “do what you do” for you. I just ask that you “let me do me,” and stay away from me. Please do not walk up to me just so that you can yell in my face about how angry you are at me for being so selfish. Please stop spraying me with spit as you tell me to “WEAR A MASK DUMBASS!” Now, really, you don’t know me. I don’t let just anybody call me a dumbass without knowing me for at least a little while. I am not going to deny being a dumbass, but you have no right to call me that without first being my friend for at least a little bit of time.
So, instead of judging others and making assumptions about people that you don’t know. Please stop! Let’s instead show some empathy to people – and let them alone. I promise, I won’t judge you for wearing that mask and thinking it’s doing the same thing as an N95 version. I won’t. So, please stay an appropriate distance from me, and we both will be just fine.
On a serious note, if you truly want to wear a mask that will not allow the COVID-19 virus in, check out the link with the photo above. This company makes the best masks available. I am not sponsored or in any way benefit from sales from this company. I have just done my research and have found them to be the very best. So, stay safe! Stay healthy! AND – Stay away from me! At least, stay out of my face.
Thanks for listening, and I hope to see you at a range soon.
Tim Barrage
Good post Tim, I’ll have to check out that mask!