Any non-N95 mask is barely more than a symbol of compliance.
When I read stories of well-meaning people making homemade cloth masks en masse, I’m reminded of pet rocks, tie-die shirts, and silicone bracelets. Sure, why not. Some people will buy anything.
I do believe in social distancing and hygiene, however. I don’t trust we know everything about this virus.
This coming Monday will be my first time beyond my property, since the beginning of March, for my pets’ vet appointments. I’m wearing the hijab, no mask. It is actually rather comfortable, fits even better than I had hoped. If I’m turned away by the vet, they’re turning away $1,200 (that’s my typical bill each year for my pets’ annual appt.). No problem, the vet already approved my prescription refill for heartworm and flea prevention meds.
I don’t think I’m trusting enough to buy prepared food outside my home for a while; in fact, I’m not sure I’ll ever feel comfortable doing that again. I’m a skinny white middle-aged female with blond hair. So guess what I look like? I’m a target for hate — including compromised food — because I look like a fad stereotype, even though I was raised to behave like a respectable lady and I tend to hold my tongue (well, in person, anyway). Every time someone pokes fun at “Karens” I feel hit in the gut, even though that isn’t my name, even though by nature I’m a “live and let live” kind of a person. I look like one, and in our society now, that’s all that matters.
Everything I eat comes from my home, made from packaged ingredients. Actually, I’m still working through what I refer to as BC ( “before corona”) stock. I live in hurricane alley, so before the lock-down, I had already stocked up, when prices were low, for the upcoming hurricane season: toilet paper, paper towels, non-perishable food, sanitizing wipes, etc. I have been very fortunate.
(re-posting because original disappeared!)