March 13 marked the last time I ventured outside. On March 20, 2020, I made my first trip to the pharmacy since the pandemic began, donning a mask layered with a buff for extra safety. For over a year, I’ve been masking up—sometimes with a KN95 under a cloth mask or just a simple cloth mask with a buff. My glasses occasionally fog, and there are moments when I can’t wait to tear it off, but overall, I’ve developed a fondness for my mask.
Picture a typical trip to Target: kids coughing, people sneezing, and just the general messiness of humanity. Think about all those tiny droplets floating through the air, just waiting to be inhaled, especially during cold and flu season. Words like “secretion” and “droplet” come to mind. I love my mask so much that when the COVID-19 chaos finally settles down, I might just keep it around.
Makeup Made Simpler
Just the other day, my nine-year-old son questioned me while I was applying makeup for an outing. “Mom, why bother? No one will see it,” he said with an eye roll. Sure, kid, you have a point, but I enjoy makeup and will apply it regardless of my mask.
But he’s not entirely wrong. Does anyone need lipstick? Maybe some blush is visible, and if I’m indoors, my eyes might be on display above the mask. Thankfully, I’ve mastered the smoky eye and keep my skin hydrated to fend off fine lines. Plus, that mask covers up my dark circles, which feels like a little victory.
I can also throw on my stylish sunglasses and feel like a celebrity in disguise. My mask gives me the freedom to skip makeup if I choose.
My Mask Protects Against More than COVID-19
Did you know that this past flu season was historically mild? According to Dr. Mark Thompson, an infectious disease specialist, the flu was at “record-setting lows.” Yes, handwashing and social distancing helped, but since influenza spreads through respiratory droplets like COVID-19, my mask is likely keeping me safe from the flu as well.
I haven’t caught a cold all winter, and while I’m venturing out less than before, I’m also washing my hands and sanitizing more than ever. I’m sure I’ll continue to be the “Crazy Hand Sanitizer Lady,” collecting various scented bottles. But let’s face it: my mask is what truly keeps those nasty germs from entering my lungs.
At the end of the day, I just don’t want to breathe in other people’s air. I can’t imagine going back to inhaling the air in grocery stores. My mask is a barrier against all those unwanted droplets. Plus, I can match my masks to my outfits.
So, I Won’t Always Wear My Mask
After the pandemic passes, I’ll likely wear my mask whenever I leave home. However, I probably won’t bother when driving through Starbucks. Who knows what germs that barista is harboring?
I won’t turn into a hermit, though. Ditching the mask for casual summer pool hangouts makes sense. For indoor winter gatherings, I might keep my mask on unless I’m sipping coffee. I’ll definitely wear it during cold and flu season. I might skip it on hikes, but I’d probably wear it when stopping at a gas station.
I’ll need plenty of setting spray to keep my makeup from smudging, especially around the nose area, but it’s a small price to pay.
I imagine my kids will be wearing masks alongside me. They don’t need to inhale the germs from grocery stores, since they could bring home a cold or flu, making me sick in the process. No thanks!
So when this pandemic ends, my mask isn’t going anywhere. I’ll continue wearing it indoors and throughout cold and flu season. The pandemic has made me a bit more cautious, and part of that is not wanting to breathe in your respiratory droplets. Plus, I love the idea of going to Target while looking like a ninja.
Summary
The author discusses her ongoing love for wearing a mask, even as the pandemic winds down. She highlights the benefits of masks beyond COVID-19, from simplifying makeup routines to protecting against other viruses. While she acknowledges she won’t wear her mask all the time, she plans to keep it for indoor outings and cold and flu season, emphasizing her desire to avoid inhaling others’ germs.
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