Masks are Not the New Normal - But They are Definitely the New Now

Let me just start by clarifying what I mean by "New Normal". I feel they are not the new normal because I am optimistic that in 3 years we will not all be dressing up as dental hygienists on a daily basis. However, if you find yourself acclimating to masks in the meantime, consider it as a career. In Alaska. No, really. Indeed.com just told me I could make almost $113K a year there as a hygienist. Nice.

That career guidance aside, however, it's time to accept that masks are a part of the near future normal. That's it. Masks have been proven to be a very effective way to slow the spread of this damn Covid-19 that is pretty much ruining anything good and fun and, yes, killing people and damaging the bodies of its survivors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0UclAmrhVI

Now, I find the mask as annoying as the next guy, especially on a humid day, but given their protective abilities, I don't have the patience for people who see it as a form of tyranny. We're at war here. Now, I live in a fun place of simmering conflict and pretty much daily attempted attacks. But life actually seems pretty normal. We go to malls, ride buses, hang out at bars and nightclubs...well, we did until early this year. And we will again!

Maintaining a good life while under attack, however, means making certain concessions to the reality. I'm sure Americans would also scream tyranny if a trip to the mall involved a car search, a purse search and a stroll through the metal detector. But that's the reality here and it's a 1-2 minute process at maximum that allows me to stroll through the shops without actively worrying I'll be blown up or stabbed. It's not living in fear to take precautions based on realistic data and conditions. Rather, those precautions FREE us from fear.

When the malls reopened here, after almost 2 months, I gingerly stepped inside to buy my son new shoes. Trunk and purse inspected, the security also reminded me to keep my mask over my mouth and nose at all times and sent me through the metal detector where a big pump bottle of alco-gel awaited. Enforcement of safety is not oppression. They are creating an environment where the bulk of the population can feel 98% normal and stimulate the economy.

It's really such a small concession to safety, but one that has a huge impact. Wear your mask and most of life can flow as usual. Without the masks, we will just prolong the pain of needing to shut businesses down, lay people off, dig graves...

We all want things to go back to normal, have parties, go to happy hours, see our kids in schools learning, on and on. And we will get there faster the more we slow the spread of the virus, maintaining a controllable situation until there is a cure or vaccine. Epidemiologist is a real profession, one most of us only have a basic knowledge of. Therefore, the responsible thing is to listen to the data and the recommendations and do our best as a nation and as a humanity.

This virus only truly discriminates between the protected and the unprotected, otherwise it doesn't really care. Well, can I get a Heeeeeeey for us Type O Blooders in the Covid-19 War? But that aside, protect yourself and others so we can live to fight each other another day.