Masking Up

It’s official. Louisiana’s governor has ordered the wearing of masks in all public places. Once again, the curve is on the rise in Louisiana. Our curve is not as dramatic as Arizona, Texas or Florida, but we’re close behind those other sunbelt states. In addition, bars are closed again. And gatherings are limited to 50 people or less.

Omelette at the Abita Springs Cafe urges citizens to wear a mask.

At the onset of the stay at home orders in March, I was okay with it. I am not an extrovert. I am comfortable with my own company. I had plenty to keep me occupied at home.

But now? I don’t want to go back to the early draconian measures. And I would be happy to be able to go out more in public gatherings for music, for fun, or even just to congregate at church. Even schools in Louisiana are pushing back start dates to better prepare for what may lie ahead for them.

For me, wearing a mask is just a minor inconvenience. I can take it off at home. I don’t have to work outside with a mask. The biggest drawback is that my glasses tend to fog up when wearing a mask. Otherwise, it’s no big deal to wear a mask to the grocery story, pharmacy or other spots around town.

Personally, I don’t understand the anger some people are expressing towards wearing a mask in public. Somehow they feel it’s an infringement on their rights to wear a mask. Really? Wearing a seatbelt in the car, having to carry a driver’s license all the time, and being scanned at airports for departure are all okay.

But a mask? That’s a violation of some sort of personal rights. I don’t get it. Take Omelette’s advice: wear a mask.

And wash your hands, too, please.

Statue of Choctaw Indian, washing her hands in spring water of Abita Springs, reputed by natives as being healing waters.

4 thoughts on “Masking Up

  1. The virus in Mexico is taking the same trajectory as the sunbelt states. But regulation here is rather haphazard. Even when a mandatory mask rule was in place, people complied for about a week, then, off they came. At least, our church is still meeting this summer. There are only 6 or 7 of us at each service, but, like you, I find it refreshing to congregate with fellow believers to rekindle our faith.


    1. My small church started meeting with about 20-30 people showing up. As the numbers increased who came to church, the pastor shut it down again. Our building is small, so I suppose one solution would be have 2 services for the hundred odd people who attend. I miss it. As far as regulating masks, it’s mostly unenforceable. It’s up to each business to decide on who to enforce it. I volunteer at the local food bank. They are being very strict about mask usage on site.


  2. I’m afraid the hoo-hah over wearing a mask is part of the riven civil culture in which we live, much of it unfortunately instigated by President Trump. If it’s raining, you grab an umbrella, if it’s cold outside you put on a coat. Why is it so hard to comprehend the need to put on a mask during a pandemic that has killed hundreds of thousands around the world? How has not wearing a mask become a test of your loyalty to Trump, or a constitutional issue?


    1. I don’t know what to say about masks. It’s simple to me. I am glad i don’t have a business or store where I have to confront people and ask them to wear a mask. It seems that wearing a mask is a very touchy, political issue. It should not be so, as you so rightly state.


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