Unmask! Unmask!

The state of Oregon announced last week that March 31st they're going to lift the general mask mandate.

However.
Businesses can set their own standards.
Decide whether or not to require people to mask up.

They're going to let individual school districts decide whether or not to remain masked, too.

I hope they continue masking in school at least through this school year.

I'm not particularly afraid of THE virus, as I have had the requisite vaccinations (couldn't go back to work without them but I would have gotten the shot anyway) close exposure three times I'm aware of and of course I am currently working inside two public schools. (Can you say 'belly of the beast'?)

Buutt... Since 2004 I've been working inside public schools. Although I don't get every bug that goes past, I do get sick often, especially if I haven't worked during the summer preceding the school year.

Most years, I run a little fever most of the month of October. Sometimes into November. It's my personal theory that my immune system is racing around putting out fires because the atmosphere around 400 building-confined, booger-picking, butt-digging, sneezing, coughing, look-I-have-a-loose-tooth young humans is full of pathogens.

I am grateful for the masks, because whether or not they are keeping the virus droplets from spreading (ftr, I think they DO work for that), when a child is masked, they don't sneeze on the top of the table (or in your face), they don't pick their noses, they don't show you their loose teeth... you probably get the idea.

So I have appreciated the extra layer of germ protection provided by the masks. And yes, it is kind of a pain in the ass to wear one. The benefits though...

I've heard people call a mask a 'face diaper' (ooooo, so edgy!) and suggest that anyone who wears one is stupid or you know, pick your pejorative. Many to choose from.

"I'm INDEPENDENT! I don't have to do what all you sheeple are doing!"

If you don't want to wear a mask then stay home and order your groceries.

While you're at it, dose up on horse de-wormer and drink your own piss. Take extra vitamins (but watch out for the possibility of kidney stones) because that's what all the smart guys are doing to show how tough they are. To show the rest of us they've 'done their research'.

My own extended family contains people who think that Ivermectin cures, well, just about anything, and that not only should you drink your own pee, you should rinse your eyes and sinuses with it.

I knew people who've died from the virus.
Others who were horribly ill and will have issues for the rest of their lives.
Co-workers who have lost a spouse or a child.

I have friends who work in the medical field, too. They're not lying to me about the things they've seen. God.

It's not a joke or a hoax, and if the simple act of wearing a mask could help keep someone else from becoming ill, why wouldn't I wear one?

Because we live in Oregon where masks have been required since this started, people usually wear them anyway.

When I go to the grocery store or into other businesses, there is a person stationed at the door reminding people to wear a mask/handing out free paper ones to those who aren't wearing one.

Most people just put the mask on, but others, intent on showing the poor sap who drew the short straw for the day JUST how much their own (wo)man they are, pitch a fit.

Like a fucking toddler.

Calling the store employee names and yelling makes people look your way. But just so you know, people aren't staring because you (generic you, of course) look independent and strong. They're staring because you look like an asshole.

Then those edgy people make a production of striding about, mask under their chin or just below their nose and glare at everyone around them.
What a bunch of babies.

I've heard people complaining that 'the science is always changing!' regarding the virus and masks and precautions.

Well, um, yes.
That's actually part of science.

Learn about stuff, add that knowledge. Change your theory. Keep learning.

The main goal of science is to build knowledge and understanding.

Anyone who doesn't understand why science changes hasn't really done their research, now have they?