I pushed my cart leisurely strolling from aisle to aisle and stopped to contemplate if I should get ice cream. My indulging instinct overpowered my rational thought, and I left the cart to get my favorite flavor. There were so many to choose from, but the vanilla chocolate combination was not available in the brand that I preferred. But, because my gut had taken charge, I was inclined to grab the next best thing, vanilla fudge swirl.
I returned to my cart, checking my grocery list when I heard a male voice asked, “Where is your mask?” He couldn’t be talking to me because my mask was no ordinary mask. It was bright yellow like the sun, you can see it from anywhere. I was visible to the people around me. Yeah, the yellow on my black skin stood out. So, I slowly turned around to look at him. He was a security guard working in the store. I was about to ask him if he was blind when I realized that he wasn’t looking at me.
“Where is your mask, Miss?” he asked again.
I followed his gaze to a lady slumped over the handle of her cart, talking on her phone with no mask on. I calculated I was six feet away from her observing social distancing. You see, I haven’t been out of my house for two weeks, and this venture scared the hell out of me. But, my sunshine yellow nose and mouth covering should ward away Ms. Corona. Psst, I heard that she doesn’t like heat.
“Where is your mask?” he questioned her again.
She looked up at him, “Are you talking to me?” she asked and bit down on her chewing gum, making a crackling noise.
“You!” he replied.
“Sir, leave me alone,” she answered and turned her back to him.
“Miss, you cannot be in the store and not wear a mask,” he announced and waited for her to adhere. When she didn’t comply, he continued, “I will have to call the police.”
Upon hearing that, she spun around. I stood there thinking, this was gonna be juicy; this was gonna be dramatic. There was a small audience now gathered waiting for the show of security force when she told the man that he needed to get his eyes checked or if he does have glasses to wear it. I needed one too because around her neck camouflaged with her black blouse and her long wavy hair, hung a black mask. When he saw the mask, he told her to put it over her mouth and walked away doing his job.
People, the purpose of wearing a mask in public spaces is not for disguising your identity. It is not a fashion to be worn anywhere, on your forehead, under your chin, handing loose off one ear, or around your neck.
We wear a nose and mouth covering to avoid spreading germs to each other. Miss Carona is out there looking for a host, and our masks are a line of defense to deter this harmful virus from entering our bodies to wreak havoc on our respiratory system with death as a consequence of your action.
I have a family at home to get back to; help me to keep them safe. Do your part. Always wear your nose and mouth covering when you are in public spaces.
Okay. I said it!