No ‘masking’ damage

As we continue to do all we can to mitigate the risk of a third wave, I see masks staying with us for some time to come.

It’s sort of becoming second nature now and you will notice a change in your approach to many things. As you leave the house you check for phone, wallet/purse, car keys and then gel and the mask! You’ll also notice people walking out of their houses or leaving their cars and stopping to check a pocket. This check is no longer for the cash in the pocket or credit card but for the mask!

It is a little sad to think we have got to this point but I am fully supportive of maintaining this if it helps to minimise the spread of Coronavirus and hold back any future wave.

I’m also finding you don’t even bother to take some things with you when you leave the house now. Things that previously would appear almost ‘part of you’. Your wallet for instance. There’s now a limited need for this with a quick thumbprint on the phone and ApplePay negating the need for this ‘legacy’ item. As for cash. I cannot remember the last time I I used this. Does it still exist? Will it come back after we say goodbye to Covid? Generally, I’m not that fussed as it made your hands stink!

I also don’t feel odd anymore walking around a shop wearing the familiar blue and white medical grade mask. It certainly seems to be the norm. You occasionally see the strange home made mask type or some neck scarf pulled up over the nose of those less favouring the blue and white standard and adopting their own for individuality.

The kids make me chuckle too. They come back from school, and after a few days, empty a bin full of used masks out of their pockets. “Mum, Dad - do we have any more masks, these are all broken”. Typical!

It also makes me chuckle seeing the new ways people have to put their masks on. Almost like it’s a competition to see who has the best style marks - 10!! Even our daughter has a ‘method’. It’s a flick of the thumb and finger and the straps are twisted to ping the mask over the face and hold in place with the straps turned for a better, more secure fit. Very strange! Oh - and also how skilfully they position the mask below the chin during periods of not wearing it - whilst outside such as lunch and break. Expertly positioned ready to be flicked back over the nose and mouth when required- 10!!

As for me, I just put it on...

Sadly you still see those people who don’t quite get it... Those that leave their nose uncovered as though the mask is not quite long enough. Maybe they are frightened of suffocation! “Err it’s meant to go over your nose too” you mutter under you breath. WOT NO Covering the nose!!!!

Sorry, I’ll explain. Do many of you remember Mr Chad? This was the 1941 creation to help students understand the effect of a capacitor in a circuit. Adapted brilliantly to denote things missed during periods of austerity. The face of Mr Chad peering over a wall with his nose on show. I think my generation pinched it a little because I remember seeing these everywhere as a kid. “WOT NO...”. It’s funny how seeing someone wear their mask incorrectly in this way always reminds me of Mr Chad - WOT NO Brain cells!!!!!

I even think I’d prefer many people to carry on wearing masks!!! Sounds mad but don’t you hate when that person coughs all over the food at the supermarket or over ‘you’ as they walk past, not bothering to cover their mouth. Or worse still - sneezes!!! I’m not missing that! There should be a system to scan them as they enter a shop and if there are signs of sniffing or temperature, an automaton hands them a masks to wear. In the voice of Arnie in Terminator akin to "I need your Clothes, your boots and your motorcycle" it would say “Welcome to our store Sir/Madam, please wear this for the duration of your stay - have a nice day”.

Well, for what it’s worth, this is my summary. Let’s do what we can to continue to fight off this virus. We should all be happy in the knowledge that the blue and white standard will leave no ‘masking’ damage!!