(Careful now. You don’t want to brag about your health out loud, because it might call down the attention of the gods.)
But here goes: I have been blessed with good health, and while I don’t precisely take it for granted, I am in the age group where I feel special because talk too often turns to what medication everyone is on, those pills’ side effects, and whether that doctor in Branford is better than the one in North Haven for that particular ailment.
I take two multi-vitamins a day. I like the gummy ones because they taste like candy. Not much to discuss there…
I like seeing doctors when I’m healthy because they’re so complimentary, like the nurse who praised me when I raised one foot to remove a boot (so that I could strip down and we could all look at my down-yonders for a moment). How flexible I am! (I’m not.) How young-acting! (Bite me, I don’t need your pity.)
Or the doctor who commented that I sit up straight (as opposed to — what? — lying down on the floor?). Anyway, it’s like winning the ugliest baby contest. Thank you, one and all, for noticing.
But here’s the deal: I am surrounded by people who are medically vulnerable. In fact, so are you. You may be medically vulnerable, yourself. Some people just don’t talk about it, but I know that this virus has been a threat to them — and not just an existential one. So though Connecticut is moving away from its pandemic protocols, I am not. I will continue to wear a mask in public because I don’t know the burdens of that guy one cash register over. As someone said elsewhere, women wear bras and they’re uncomfortable as hell. A mask is no big deal.
Wearing a mask is an act of love, a contribution to the common good. I will continue to wear mine. The numbers here in CT are much better than they were, but we are still fluctuating.
Amen, sista! Not only this: "I will continue to wear a mask in public because I don’t know the burdens of that guy one cash register over. As someone said elsewhere, women wear bras and they’re uncomfortable as hell. A mask is no big deal." BUT also this: there are plenty of unvaccinated children in the families of adults I encounter, adults who mask-up and those who don't. Consider the children. Masking is loving.