You’d think with all the mask hullabaloo we were being asked to also have to wear shoes and shirts…..
Clothes…..
Shopping in Wenatchee, Washington, The Apple Capital of the World, it was clear our educationally challenged president’s messaging was working. From what I can tell via his tirades on Twitter, and the role modeling he does just about every day going about his super busy schedule, the message being relayed looks like this:
COVID-19 masks are for sheeple. Freedom-haters. Ellen-watchers. Communists.
I stopped in at Petco and other than the clerks, an endearingly earnest triumvirate of Hispanic teens disgorged from a minivan to do some quick shopping, and Molly and I, the rest of the shoppers were doing their best to stick it to the liberals by pretending like everything was normal. Even the couple who looked like they could have used some oxygen under ordinary circumstances.
Petco does not require masks in their store.
We moseyed over to Costco to purchase the essentials in bulk - coffee, frozen pizzas and containers of peanut butter the size of bowling balls - and everyone - absolutely everyone - was decked out in masks. It was a relief from a safety standpoint and it was also a relief from a very human tendency of not wanting to stick out like a sore thumb. A sore thumb wrapped in an incandescent red bandage. None of us want to look like mask nerds if we can help it. Even if you know it’s the right thing to do.
Costco requires masks in all of their stores.
And here is a funny exchange I saw on social media regarding masks. The names have been changed to protect the ignorant.
Blowhard Joe ridicules the use of masks in a post made by Sane Jane and plans to “stand his ground” when it comes to his local shops and services and everyday life. Blowhard Joe loves him some freedom. Then he concludes his petulant dick-wagging by stating, “The only place I’ll wear a mask is such-and-such, and such-and-such and…….(wait for it)……..COSTCO!” (Emphasis all mine.)
Because, when it comes to Blowhard needing nine thousand rolls of toilet paper and a 136 inch flatscreen television and snacks to add more fat between his ears, he’s ready to surrender his gallantry and righteous stand for freedom. Blowhard is not willing to be denied his freedom to purchase in bulk. Because, you see, Blowhard can huff and puff but Costco, and all their lawyers, won’t give a shit. And he knows that. In fact, if he’s not careful, he might lose his membership if he were to get too belligerent.
Meanwhile, in the name of stupidity masquerading as a principled stand, Blowhard is more than willing to make a stink at his local grocery or hardware store if anyone even suggests he wear a mask upon entry. You know, places that could use his money and are - perhaps - staffed by people susceptible to suffering greatly if they were to catch a dose of this virus. Principled, my ass!
Those in the know seem to agree that the wearing of masks will help immensely with mitigating the spread of coronavirus. And, it makes common sense that, unless you know for a fact that you could not possibly be infectious, you are far less likely to be a spreader if your nose and mouth-breathing are pre-empted by cloth, neoprene or a plastic shield.
Until we get to the stage where we know, due to antibody tests or whatever, we can no longer contract the virus or spread it, we need to act like we are a danger to other people and continue with the social distancing, merciless washing of hands and the wearing of masks when appropriate.
But, fear not! When we DO get to that stage of the pandemic, we will then be beset by “immunity jealousy”.
I can’t wait.
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If you have not caught writer and stand up comedian Sarah Cooper’s hilarious mimicry of our covidiot-in-chief, treat yourself today. You can pad her YouTube bank account here.
Also, while we are on TikTok videos, alert reader Rodney Hitchcock sent me this from the Welsh Whisperer knowing that I am a poor man’s oenologist.
Oh my! That vignette is delicious!