Folk: To mask or not to mask — ‘tis not a question

Folk

To Mask or Not To Mask — ‘ Tis Not A Question

Story by Abby Cavenaugh • Instagram photos

48 | www.sencmag.com

It’s no secret that Southeastern North Carolina, like most of the rest of the world, has been in a public health crisis for nearly a year now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Surely, back in March when this all started in the U.S., no one thought it would still be going on, nor that our Tanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays would be so seriously afected.

At the time of this writing, most Christmas events had been canceled for 2020, and most New Year’s celebrations have been canceled or dialed way back to avoid close crowds. It’s not ideal by any stretch of the imagination. But maybe — just maybe — if we make a few sacrifces now, we can return to normal sooner rather than later.

As one of the memes foating around Facebook says, “Better to have a socially distanced Tanksgiving than an ICU Christmas.”

A lot of people twist wearing a mask and social distancing into a political issue, but it’s really not. It’s a public health issue, plain and simple. No one is infringing on your rights by asking you to wear a mask.

Just before Tanksgiving, a clerk in a Wilmington thrift shop handled it best, I think. I didn’t get her name, unfortunately, but I was shopping with my sister and niece (masks on) in the back of the store, when I heard the clerk stop someone and say, “Masks are required, ma’am.” With a fair

amount of grumbling, the customer apparently put on her mask. Te clerk could then be heard saying, “It needs to be over your nose, ma’am.” Te customer hufed and complained, “I can’t breathe with it on my nose.”

After a pause, the clerk calmly said, “It’s about lives, ma’am.” Te customer then left, and I found myself bursting with pride that this clerk was so adamant, even though she probably lost some revenue from the customer. I wish that more businesses would be so vigilant. Like I said, if we sacrifce just a bit now, by wearing masks when in public, social distancing, being mindful of others, perhaps by this time next year, we’ll be back to semi normal.

On the Monday before Tankgsiving, Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order to tighten mask requirements and enforcement.

“I have a stark warning for North Carolinians today: We are in danger,” Governor Cooper said. “Tis is a pivotal moment in our fght against the coronavirus. Our actions now will determine the fate of many.”

So, even if you don’t think you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus, and even if you fnd wearing a mask inconvenient or uncomfortable, it’s the right thing to do. Maybe you’re not at risk, but you might come into contact with someone who is. Tat person you pass on the street may have an autoimmune disease that isn’t visibly obvious, but that can make him or her especially susceptible to getting sick. Your grandma in a nursing home is especially vulnerable.

I know you miss hugs. I do, too. But I haven’t hugged my mama since my aunt passed away in May, and that was a special circumstance that I immediately worried about. My mama’s still okay at the time I’m writing this. I pray she stays that way. Several people in her church have had COVID, and that causes me worry.

Besides, masks aren’t all bad. Tere are plenty of designs available now. You can match your outft, or support your favorite sports team. My sister even has one with Baby Yoda from “Te Mandalorian.” Tere are cute kid designs featuring their favorite superhero or cartoon character. Monty’s Home in Burgaw, which hosts the Pawsitive Prisoners program to help rescue dogs and inmates, has petthemed masks available with proceeds going toward their animal rescue. (I know because I bought one.)

Even if you just get a plain, disposable mask, that’s good, too.

I don’t think it’s political to reiterate the governor’s statement here. What we do now may determine the fate of many. So please, be mindful and let’s see each other on the other side of this.

Re-eco Designs has a variety of beachy masks available, as well as designs for kids, sports teams, and so on.

SE North Carolina Magazine | 49

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