(Quick edit – Most of the Republicans I know wear a mask and most of the Democrats I know wear a mask for the right reason, but there are so many out there…)
A couple of weeks ago I was in a team meeting. My manager was talking about new policy for reopening facilities and ended by saying (paraphrased), “I still want you all to telecommute full time unless there is an emergency that demands your on-site attention. Your health, and your families’ health, are more import than a job. And I don’t care about your personal politics, wear a mask!” It was a very nice statement, but a little strange that he had to say anything about politics.
A couple of days later I had to go into a gas station. Even though I was the only customer in there, I put on my mask before entering. A minute later a few other people came in, and by the time I left there were maybe six others. Not a one had a mask. Several gave me dirty looks. One stared at me with complete hatred. I tried to ignore him, but prepared myself for violence. He followed me around with clenched fists and gritted teeth. This person wasn’t just refusing to wear a mask for political reasons, he was taking me wearing a mask as a personal attack.
This is just such odd behavior, like nothing I have experienced in my life.
Why is a safety device a political statement?
Here is another strange question – these non-mask wearers say that asking them to wear a mask is infringing on their freedoms. More on that later, but my question is, why they don’t see me wearing a mask as expressing my freedom? Why is it that these type of people only see their own opinions as freedom, while nobody else is allowed to voice their own opinions? Uhm, doesn’t freedom go both ways?
There are a few truths about masks.
Wearing a mask is not about fear (see below for more).
Masks have been proven to save lives.
After months of the virus spreading around the world, people can see trends. The biggest trend is that the more people who wear a mask in a given area, the less likely the virus was to spread. At this time, with no vaccine, wearing a mask is the only known way to slow down the virus. The. Only. Way. Period.
Every single health official, every person who studies this, all agree. Every one of them.
Only a handful of politicians say otherwise.
That is why it is political.
And it is having an effect.
Found on Google, provided by Wikipedia
I hear all of the time that wearing a mask is about fear. I read yesterday a fellow blogger state that the “fake media” is using fear to manipulate people to wear masks as step one of making them do their nefarious bidding. Uhm, no.
I wrote another post about masks. In that post, I laid out the reason for wearing a mask. A super quick recap – The virus is not airborne by itself, it travels in water droplets. If you wear a mask, you have some limited protection against these water droplets, but it isn’t great. On the other hand, if you already have the virus, the masks helps a great deal in stopping it at the source. Both sides wearing the mask and staying socially distanced is the best case.
What I am saying is that wearing a mask is more of a curtsy to keep you from spreading it if you are an asymptomatic carrier, or in the early stages and not showing symptoms yet.
You wear a mask to help others, not because you are afraid. To help others.
OK, more about freedom.
I tell you that you have to wear shirt, shoes and pants to enter my store. Fine. But a mask? Outrage! Wear seat-belt or get fined? I don’t like it, but fine, or actually, no fine for me, I wear a seat-belt. A mask? Outrage! Do you wear safety glasses or googles when working industrial power tools? The mandatory hard hat in a construction zone? Rope off when doing work at heights? A face shield when welding? Protective gloves?
In many ways, a mask goes even farther than some of these safety devices.
Right now, the coronavirus is the leading cause of death in the US, so it really is deadly, that isn’t hype. It has also been linked to brain issues, including stroke. It has been linked to long term effects. It has killed many older and at risk people.
Since the main benefit of wearing a mask is that it cuts down the transmission from people who already have the virus, when you wear a mask, you are potentially saving lives.
In other words, if you are not wearing a mask and, unbeknownst to yourself, you have the virus, you may be giving people around you a death sentence. You could be killing people. You could very well be a murderer.
In the last few days, because of outside pressure, people in the Trump administration have finally, grudgingly, admitted that wearing a mask might be OK. Finally! Last month Trump said people wore masks as a personal attack against him. Yesterday, after every top Republican asked him to wear a mask, Trump said he was “all for masks”.
Yesterday in the grocery store, over a third of the people (non-employees) did not have masks on. Nobody in the cramped post office wore one. I did see a few embarrassed looks, but also a few disdainful looks. You could read the statement behind their eyes – “Look at all of the sheep being mislead by the liberal, fake news, mainstream media!”
So there is finally begrudging change at the top with some encouragement of masks, but it hasn’t hit the rank and file yet. To them, it is still a huge political issue.
And until it stops being a political issue for many, the cases will continue to climb.
*
This is my third Covid-19 post. Here are the other two:
Trent's World (the Blog) 
I am surprised to hear the attitudes in the USA are this bad, even worse than what it is like in the UK coming to masks. It is ridiculous that they are politicized, because it is so simple for anyone to wear a mask, so it’s upsetting to think that most people are more worried about how they look, or about the efffort involved in putting on a mask than they are about protecting others.
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Unfortunately they were politicized here from the very top. On the other hand, things did improve a little after I wrote this post, though there are still those in the grocery store not wearing masks and purposefully going the wrong way down aisles marked one way, but they are rarer. I’m assuming after this week, more and more people will stop wearing masks since the president just said there is nothing to worry about with Covid, that it is all hype.
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Reblogged this on A Fine Test You've Gotten Us Into!.
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Personally, I’m sick and tired of hearing about masks for a couple reasons.
The way I see it, the people who are aren’t taking COVID seriously or are in denial about it have already made up their minds and no amount of scientific information is going to set them straight. Yes, the present administration sucks in their COVID response…why did oh why did this have to happen under 45? Yeah, it sucks for our country, because cases continue to rise. But this is the politically divided country we’re living in.
I also wish there was more research going on about alternate face coverings, such as face shields. Masks may be the best, scientifically backed solution for now, but I don’t want to believe they are the only solution. There are certain people and groups out there who are struggling to adjust to masks for personal reasons. This has nothing to do with COVID denial or politics, it’s real anxiety and fear about masks, a conversation that I don’t believe is as prominent as it should be. I still experience mask anxiety regularly, and it sucks being bombarded with constant messages to do the ONE thing that supposedly makes you a good citizen in 2020 when that ONE thing is something you struggle with every freaking day. Taking one for the team isn’t so simple when it makes you hyperventilate. Masks also pose a problem to people who are hard of hearing/deaf and in some people with PTSD. Black people, particularly Black men, have issues with masks because systematic racism. Masks have become this all or nothing political symbol of COVID when, in reality, the hesitancy to wear masks deserves a much more nuanced conversation, which I believe would be far more effective than the mask dialogue that is currently happening.
I understand the benefits of masks, and I understand why people are passionate about posting about masks. I also agree with you that cases will continue to rise as long as some people continue to perceive masks and COVID-19 in general as a political issue (I have relatives who actually believe COVID-19 is a mechanism created by governments to control the masses *sigh*). I do take COVID very seriously and am fortunate enough to work at home for the time being; I still only leave the house for walks in my neighborhood and to run essential errands, even though more businesses are starting to open up here. I have always believed that social distancing is the best way to keep COVID cases down, though I understand that is not always possible or even convenient when it comes to keeping the economy afloat, hence the need for face coverings. But as someone who a) is coping with serious mask anxiety and b) is aware of certain populations that struggle with masks for other reasons, I’m about ready to gouge my eyes out with all the mask reminders out there.
(also I’m a drama queen, and I’m not really going to gouge my eyes out).
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Any face covering, or other way to minimize the risk, is better than nothing. I don’t know about any research on shields. Most of them that I’ve seen have been used in conjunction with masks, but I have seen a handful used on their own. I’m sure they do help and I won’t complain.
What I will complain about is the people trying to intimidate other people who are wearing masks, which I have seen in NH. Or people saying things like, “look at all of those sheep getting brain damage because of all of the carbon dioxide they are breathing by wearing those masks”, that I heard from two face-shielded ladies in a store in Massachusetts (which has mandatory face covering in place). One of them actually shouted it, but people ignored her ;) I don’t like seeing people in tight public spaces without any face covering or any type of PPE, but I don’t say anything, give dirty looks, stare, etc., and I haven’t seen anybody else bother them, it has always been the other way around.
I do get that some people have issues with masks, and it is difficult. I have worn masks off and on my entire life (for fumes, dust, and because I like outdoor activity when it is -20 F with 50 mph winds but don’t like frostbite), but I still hate wearing one. (No, I don’t hyperventilate, etc.) I get it with deaf and hard of hearing people not knowing what’s being said, or or even if anything is being said, if they can’t see lips. I know of at least one case where a young man was killed by the police for the “crime” of “wearing a mask while black”. It is a danger, but the African American communities in this country are being hit really hard, so I would suggest that the mask is a better option. So you do bring up valid points. The problem is, until there is a vaccine, self-isolation (I know people who haven’t been out of their yards), social distancing, and some type of face coverings, masks if possible, are it.
Anyway, thanks for the comment. I always welcome an alternative viewpoint.
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Yeah, I hear you–I know masks are the best choice right now. And you’re right–the African American community is being hit EXTREMELY hard. But I imagine there is quite an inner dilemma in some Black folks regarding whether wearing a mask is actually preserving their life if they have a greater chance of being shot with one on. I also recognize that I live an extremely liberal city where most people agree that COVID is an issue. Perhaps I would feel more of a need to speak out about the importance of face coverings if I lived in a place where they were less socially acceptable. In that respect, I’m probably very fortunate.
I’m not denying that face coverings are important or that we seriously need to be upping our COVID response in general–I just wish there was more empathy out there for people who find masks challenging for whatever reason. I angers and saddens me that this has become such a political issue, because I believe really important conversations about masks and face coverings in general are being looked over. And also, cases keep rising. So there’s that. I guess, when it comes down to it, I do agree with your underlying statement–that masks shouldn’t be political. And it really sucks that they are.
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A couple of quick thoughts – first, I am lucky that I live in an area where i can be outside without worrying about it – I am almost never in a crowd. I can just put the mask on as I enter a store and take it back off going outside. In a crowded city? Not so much.
When I was in Massachusetts everyone wore a mask. I personally stopped seeing masks on anybody, inside or outside, within a day. Obviously, as a white guy I wouldn’t notice if the black guy over there is getting frightened glances, or hateful looks or… I don’t see it on a normal day, but know it happens. I just hope that most people see it like I do – everyone wearing a mask becomes almost invisible, no matter “race”.
In the last week or two, more people have started wearing masks here in New Hampshire. I haven’t had angry looks in a while. So a major plus! But, I still see people on facebook saying masks are a big plot by the communists, a first step in mind control (I didn’t realize how super conservative a lot of people from my home town are until FaceBook!!)
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You’re right on living in a city. Still, my neighborhood is pretty quiet and residential. I keep a gater scarf around my neck in the event that I can’t avoid someone on the the sidewalk, but that hasn’t happened very often. When I go to busier areas to go shopping, that’s a different story.
I think the world would be a better place if the world saw it like you do, but unfortunately that’s not the case. The recent police brutality and protests make it very clearly that systemic racism is still very real in America. I’ve read that many in the Black community prefer wearing surgical masks, as it’s clear what their purpose is. While you’d have to be living in a cave to not be familiar with cloth masks at this point in the pandemic, I do still understand the concern some POC feel in wearing them.
Lol nothing like a global pandemic to bring to light the political leanings of people you’ve long known. :)
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It has been interesting, and a little scary, to see how different people have reacted… Even scarier is how a lot of people (white people) have reacted to the aftermath of George Floyd and the BLM protests.
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Oh, Trent. I honestly don’t know whether to applaud or cry. I’ve been avidly consuming news from your side of the Pacific Ocean, almost trying to will your lawmakers into common sense but I just end up screaming at the TV. I feel very, very fortunate to live in the country I do. It has its problems but the government – all governments from all political persuasions – here has done what had to be done to protect us and for that I am grateful. I’m going to admit that I don’t even own a mask. But our total deaths is 107. In my state, it’s 20. In my town, it’s 0. So, it’s not totally necessary here, but I can tell you, if it were, I would wear one. As you say, not just to protect myself, but to protect others in my community. What does it say about the lack of care for the ‘other’ in the USA, that wearing a mask has become such an issue?
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It is embarrassing for our country, as is our “leader”. Some of the leaders are doing a good job, but when those at the top of the pyramid (read “Donald”) are actively opposing them, it is hard to make a difference. On the plus side, I was in Massachusetts last week and almost everyone wore a mask when in public places. Here in “live free or die” New Hampshire, about a quarter to a third of the people don’t wear it. In some very right-wing states, its less than half… I read that Texas, which has a very strong conservative base, has started moving towards mandating masks. Their numbers are booming, so I’m not surprised. Anyway, if the elections go wrong in November, I might be dropping by as a refugee ;)
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I’d like to welcome you here, Trent, but if things go wrong in November, you may not be allowed in!
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lol, I know. It is possible I wouldn’t be allowed in now since many countries are beginning to heavily restrict travelers from the US…
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Great post. Forget politics, I have seen in the past studies of how far particles from an uncovered cough goes, up to 9mtrs & beyond & lingers, a cough with a mask on & into your arm only about 3mtrs. Still a risk but a much less, more sensible & considerate of others. The same goes for a toilet flush leaving the lid up, particles travel, you’d be amazed at what is on the trusty toothbrush. gross. I had a woman scowl & shake her head at me for wearing a mask, I responded by asking her was she was willing to look after my elderly mother if I get sick? as I don’t have siblings to help, but wait no given her attitude id rather her not look after my Mum, so I will do whatever it takes to look after myself so I can care for my Mum, if that was alright with her, have a nice day! Into her car like a scolded child she drove off. She was the first & only one I have had. Our town is pretty good really. If I had anyone follow me, isn’t bullying a chargeable offence.
Be the wonderful considerate person you are & wear your amazing colourful masks with pride. I’d vote for you any day. lol
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Yeah, I’m an odd guy – not only am I one of the few men who put the seat down, I actually always close the lid before I flush for the very reason you mention… I have read that about coughing, and sneezing is even worse, at least for number of water droplets and spread of the virus. I’m glad you told that woman off. I think a lot of these people are very self-centered. The good news is that people in Massachusetts were much better about wearing masks when I was there last week than here in New Hampshire. They were hit harder early on and so, perhaps, learned. And thanks for the vote – Just put your mark down next to anyone who has followed the science and the specialists’ advice instead relying on his (oversized) gut, and I’ll say it is a vote for me ;)
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It’s so frustrating isn’t it? I mean how does asking people to use basic best hygiene practices IN THE MIDDLE OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC become an infringement on anyone’s “liberties”? Oh and by the way, those “liberties” do not include being allowed to put other people’s health and safety at risk through your own selfishness – Grr!
As for the doubters/deniers: every single one of them needs to be dragged to the nearest major hospital and forced to spend a week working as an orderly assistant in a COVID ward.
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It is super frustrating. When New York was at its worst and so many people were still in 100% denial, I wanted to force that “cure” for stupidity you suggested and make some of them work in NY hospitals to relieve the extreme stress. I doubt if they would have denied for long.
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I live in Madison Wi. I don’t get angry looks for wearing a mask, but I do get “how embarrassing for you” looks from 20 year olds. And, our latest surge in people sick with Covid are 20-30 year olds (50%) I’ll just keep throwing fashion out the window, thanks very much!
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Keep wearing that mask! I am hoping people will begin to “smarten up”. I know Americans are a stubborn, independent lot, but we usually pull together when things are tough. It’s almost as if there is a “Divider in Chief” making sure we stay in separate camps…
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Yes I will, I can only err against fashion if I’m alive. I think that as the younger people find out someone in their circle is sick, mask use will rise. Sorry it has to come to that. As for the last sentence, I could reply in kind but I’ll leave it to history to decide.
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You are so right to wear one. I do too when I go out. I feel definitely safer that way. I don’t want to take chances. It is your personal choice so no one should say anything! Do keep safe!
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It is safe, but it also respectful of others. My only guess about people becoming angry at others who are trying to stay safe and being respectful is that they do not understand that term, “respectful”. You too, stay safe :)
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It’s not a political thing in the U.K. but from what I observe men have more of an issue with wearing one like a macho thing and men have demonstrated much more anti-mask looks and verbal bullying, I don’t know if I told you but I got followed around a mini-market by a very aggressive man because I had a mask on, he called me stupid, idiotic, I stopped my shop and quickly went to pay he followed me and continued his nasty comments, to be honest he was very intimidating and I didn’t want to rile him up but I was worried he’d follow me outside so after I paid I literally ran home.
I’ve worn a mask from the start because I used the underground a lot, one day this man and I were sat in a carriage with a man who was coughing loudly without covering his mouth, we both slowly got up and walked out of the carriage and got back on in the next carriage down and laughed at each other for wimping out but he asked me where I’d bought my mask because he wanted to get one.
It’s a bit cultural too because all my Hong Kong and Korean friends in London wore masks and some had the plastic visors they took some stick for it but calmly explained they wore them to keep others safe. It didn’t help when all our scientists on the news programs were telling people masks didn’t help later it came out they were trying to ensure stocks didn’t run out like toilet rolls and hand gel did.
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That is scary. I do not understand people at all. I’m assuming it must give the jerk some odd sense of power or something. Personally, I would think you’d get a much larger sense of power by helping someone than by intimidating them. I mean, it does show that you are a stronger person…
I love begin in a large city and have enjoyed living in a large city, but I am so happy I don’t have to deal with things like a underground/metro/subway during this time. I know you have to do what you have to do. It’d be nice if everyone else did what they should do. Funny, the simultaneous carriage change.
It is very much a cultural thing. But they have lived through a few of these viruses, likes SARs, so understand it. 100 years ago the people in the AK and US understood it, but a lot has happened in those 100 years.
I hope you are well. Stay safe :)
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It must be difficult to follow the science when those in the administration make contrary statements.
I do not understand those who call the science behind Covid-19 a hoax.
It looks like your country is in for a very long fight.
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It is completely blows my mind that about a third of the people in this, one of the most scientifically advanced countries in the world, do not believe in science. You are right, unless something changes drastically, we are in for a very long, bumpy flight…
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Good point: “You wear a mask to help others, not because you are afraid. To help others.”
Also good comparison with seat belts.
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Thanks, Frank. It is just for me to understand why people throw such a big fit over protection devices, and why they take it so personally.
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Hello Trent – I’m Kimberly. I saw your post reposted/shared by Penny and typed out this long comment to her about it. Having said everything there is for me to say in the comments to her share of your post, I’m just copying and pasting the book sized comment to you – after going through it to bring you from third party to first. 😊 By the way, THANK YOU for posting it!
I adored and applaud you for writing, creating and sharing that post. I’m in Central FL and from the very onset in the Winter my entire neighborhood, minus the medical field, though even they were a bit slow going, I was a head of them regarding masks and distancing, has been walking around as if nothing’s going on, nothing’s changed, zero acknowledgement. Because of everyone else I’ve had to lock myself in the house for going on over 3 1/2 months now, with a dear friend showing up each morning to do daily errands for me (bless his heart, but that also puts him at greater risk and as we both agree, I have to disinfect everything when he leaves). Mind you, I’m not obsessed with this, live in no fear of it, but honor and regard that monster (virus) as something that could hurt me greatly or worse (underlining health issues, 1/2 of which are my lungs – and if I were to get sick, my 3 fur-family would have no one to take care of them), as well as hurt others. Since the re-openings our numbers have been out of control (which I completely expected having been not only watching them, but a logical being). Many businesses that weren’t closed are now having to close and many that just reopened are finding they have to reclose, and not due to our Governor, but due to the spread of the virus to them and all of their employees. Orlando Animal Services had to close due to employee infection and that’s leaving 90 animals in immediate need of care (breaking my heart). It’s snowballing into exactly what a logical person would know it would snowball into and it’s only going to get worse, far worse, but the arrogance and total disregard about this…. the freedom spewing and OMG I even saw a video of someone down South of me at a County Court meeting saying “you’re all evil and masks and distancing are the work of the devil – you cannot force us to cover what God gave us to breathe with, God will keep us safe and you’re all going to hell,” are only further justifying the openings, which isn’t only the exact wrong thing to do while trying to contain what they cannot stop yet, but it’s stopping the Heroes Act from getting passed by the Senate and President, which is imperative, because of all of the above – not to mention how much additional money is being spent (speaking personally, though I’m sure it applies to many) on cleaning supplies (at gouged prices no less), food, because people/me are home more now and just every day things one would normally get as needed, having to be bought and obtained now, because running out to the store as needed isn’t an option in this moment of time. Their one and only response to why they won’t pass the Heroes Act is “it’s not needed, business is reopening, people are back at work.” So everyone who’s fighting it, debating it, protesting it, turning it into a political, religious or conspiracy circus, while I hope EVERY ONE of them remains clear of it and stays well and safe, are going to be the reason we find ourselves in deeper trouble as each day passes, with absolutely no financial help – then what will they say? What will be their protest then, they would have gotten what they wanted and not only physically/health wise hurt countless people in the process, but also helped to destroy everyone’s financial stability and safety net from being approved.
This is such a strong point with me – I’ve been repeating myself over and over again for months that “this is not about politics, this is not about loss of freedom – we didn’t lose our freedom, we gained safety – use the darn time to slow down which our entire species need(ed), to find yourself, because we’ve all been lost for a super long time…. and reflect on what’s truly going on within our world, our home in the stars, our planet and all inhabitants upon it.” Nearly 4 months in, though I was keeping an eye on it since October, even though they claim the first case was in November (untrue), I no longer say a word. I’m being locked in my home due to every single neighbor and resident on my large property, person in the street and people in the stores not wearing masks or being diligent about distancing (including doctor’s offices and hospitals – one seat apart is not 6′ – nor does a temperature check give you any idea if you have the virus – hello?), and while yes, due to living alone it’s all becoming one large blur of a day, and while I was amusing myself with a great many things at first, I’m getting a bit bored…. honestly Trent? I’m living in ENORMOUS gratitude. I’m grateful to have a home/apartment that’s filled with all things yummy to my essence, to face a reserve that I’m so connected to and play in and care for, that while the “plague” put a dead halt on all of my many needed doctor appointments, specialists and tests (a bit unnerving), I’ve been well and there’s been no change for the worse whatsoever requiring any urgent need to go (my choice not to go “yet” due to all I’ve mentioned above). Grateful that I was tenacious enough and had the patience enough to hunt down every supply I needed online, when most people never would have spend full days and nights rechecking the online stores to catch something as it came into stock, lucky enough to have done so because it went out of stock the moment I grabbed it. Grateful that while I may not be doing all I “want” to do, or have all I “want” to have, I am certainly fortunate enough to be doing all I “need” to do and have all I “need” to have. I understand that many respond to fear or discomfort and uncertainty in their own individual ways, but understanding the difference between want and need isn’t only something GREATLY NEEDED by everyone right now, but it was needed by everyone before this virus struck and a little time to reflect and realize that isn’t going to cause any suffering to anyone.
I’m extremely spiritual – not the I belong to a group or organization of spiritual people type of spiritual, I’m individually and innately spiritual, and become more and more so by the day, by the minute…. and I also see behind a great many veils upon our planet, many lies, many secrets, lost knowledge and mind and emotional control. However, be that true or not, regardless of how, why or where this virus came from, in the current moment it doesn’t matter with regard to ensuring the lack of spreading. I’m extremely well versed in “fake news” as well as “conspiracy theories.” That’s an entirely different topic, because “conspiracy theories” should simply be called theories, period – throw in the world conspiracy and any legitimacy to them goes right out the window. It’s not as if I’m unaware of these things, I’m actually deeply aware and far deeper aware than most of the people I know and without doubt far more aware than those protesting and fighting against what we need to do in this very moment. All that matters in this very moment regarding the virus isn’t the how, who, where, when and why – but the regard for it being here in the now on our world – we can deal with the how, why and who later in history. Well, to be 100% transparent, I kind of deal with both currently – I’m in touch (clarity maybe?) with all that’s wrong on our world and what things don’t seem right about this virus, while simultaneously acknowledging its existence and what needs to be done to contain it. For today, I’m remaining home in sheer gratitude (over 100 days now), spreading as much love as I can, being love, gifting love and throwing in a few nudges of awareness/awakening/consciousness wherever and whenever possible).
The virus and stimulus lack of help might have (or may not have) stemmed from a politic place or space, but none of that matters in the current moment – our resolve as a species, our awareness of how to stop the spread and living in gratitude, reflection and love is genuinely all that I believe matters right now. I’ve lost life-long friends to this virus, watched other life-long friends suffer for 5-8 weeks wishing they were no longer alive (luckily they came out the other end), I’ve lived through my father (85) walking himself into 2 hospitals in the middle of the mega epicenter situation that was going on in NY seeking critical care for other reasons and him being discharged without treatment, because it was all things COVID-19 or nothing – I’ve spent more money than I can afford to spend on gouged priced cleaning supplies, because everything was out of stock everywhere – and I was living my life in online stores hour after hour, every day and night for weeks, waiting for something to come back in stock so I could grab it before it went out of stock again, which fortunately I did and they all went out of stock once I did (tenacity can be a blessing), my poor dog hasn’t had me take her on a long walk since December and I had an Amazon delivery person literally go into a rage when I asked why he wasn’t in a mask (and I asked so friendly and curiously, not with an ounce of negativity), in front of a neighbor (also not wearing a mask) attack me with such a vulgar and raging verbal attack that we all genuinely believed he was going to physically attack me, or her if she spoke up (my neighbor). He was screaming, I have rights, I am free. So yes, I’ve seen the ugly that this is causing, I’ve felt the pain that this is causing – I’m living through it as well, but I’m going full circle on it all, because if everyone was in a state of gratitude, reflection and love, no one would be acting, speaking or thinking this way and far less people would be suffering and dying.
The ONLY things political about this is that the politicians are making it so much easier for our kind to shut the chatter off in their heads and just accept only one truth about the virus right now (at least for now)…. which is that it exists. When the politicians make light of it or try to redirect us like cattle from it (let’s see what disaster or fear mongering thing we can make headlines news with this week to distract them), it seems to be causing many to ignore it. And, unfortunately, since they are in fact “our employees,” we pay them, they work for us – we ended up in a reality where our employees are making decisions for us, it’s upside down – yet another reason to keep yourself safe, keep others safe, REFLECT on life while we have this time to do so right now – reflect on society while we have this time to do so right now, really take a good pause and understand how much is wrong on our world itself and within our societies (people want to go back to a normal that wasn’t normal), be grateful, see, hear, seek it and be love. Am I enjoying over 3 1/2 months at home, by myself with 3 animals? Am I enjoying not being able to go see my father 1100 miles away going in for a dangerous procedure this coming up? To be honest, it’s not a WOW this is a fun moment, but I can’t say I’ve disliked or hated it (I have angst about not being with my dad right now, but it’s not dislike or hate – just angst). I’m surrounded by all things me – my apartment looks like it’s me turned inside out – floating moons, crystals everywhere, animal statues everywhere, 37 candles on timers turn on each night at 7pm, earlier in the day I listen to and hear birds singing so joyfully and I whistle back, play with my animals, I’ve got a djembe drum, buffalo drum, 4 singing bowels, a Native American flute, maracas, percussion sticks, percussion eggs and a tambourine LOL (we didn’t just need toilet paper, we needed “NEW” things to do – things that align with who we are, rather than just fitting into the box of society), journals, great music, bought some learn how to sketch books and supplies. I could think of a lot worse things happening than this – which is genuinely what will happen, continue to happen and get worse, with more to come if people don’t drop the arrogance, their overthinking, their putting together 2 totally different scenarios (how, why and who vs. the fact that it exists). I created a post many months ago, could be longer, I’ve had trouble with time passage since an incident 4+ years ago, called The Answer and it truly is, it genuinely is. The Answer to all things is love, because love encompasses acceptance, kindness, compassion, caring, thoughtfulness, empathy, gratitude, support, giving, helping, connection to one another, as well as to all that lives and so much more, including clarity. And my word I’ve written you a book sized comment! My apologies! Again I’ll be transparent in saying that I don’t much enjoy when people do that to me, not a big fan of large reads lol. The subject came up and off my little fingers went. So I think I should yank my fingers off the keyboard now by ending with – WILL EVERYONE PLEASE WEAR MASKS!
Your post was excellent. Thank you for putting it out there Trent. I wish you, your loved and dear ones ease, peacefulness, comfort and being in a space of not being without anything you “need,” as well as of course – everyone being well and safe.
Sending lots of love energy and a big ol’ hug for what you shared your way. 💗 Kimberly
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Thanks for the reply – yeah, it took me a couple of sittings to get through ;) If I tried to comment back, it would be just as long, so. Just one small thing – the Amazon person. Around here amazon stopped using private delivery people a couple of months back and now use the Post Office again. I think you weren’t the only one who ran into someone like that, and my guess is a lot of people complained. Anyway, stay safe. Hopefully people will start to wake up to common sense.
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I commend you for getting through it! 🤣 Good job! I couldn’t do it hehe. Yea, Amazon and their continued no phone customer service chat only is still using Amazon employee delivery as well as 3rd party contractor delivery. To be honest, while most aren’t wearing masks as Amazon continues to state they are in interviews, I’ve never experienced that kind of ummm, well, rather than name call I’d prefer to believe that all that’s going on in the world is causing great “breaks” in people. I do believe that more and more people will wake up, they already are, in large numbers, but not just to this, though this is the subject, to many things going on in our world. Our Governor here in FL is refusing to roll back the re-openings as our numbers sore higher each day, and while a few County Mayors have put masks and distancing into law, the Mayor of my County also states that no fines or arrests will be made if caught without doing so, so what was the use of the ruling? I gather they Governor would not allow it, then again, none of us have any idea what the truth is about anything, because it seems to change on a daily basis. Meanwhile back on the farm (are you old enough to remember that saying? lol), it’s kind of every man/woman for themselves with regard to using logic and instinct vs. desire and emotion. I believe everyone will eventually get there, and until then, I hold space for them in my heart and continue to ensure that I take whatever measures necessary to not catch or spread this virus. I’m actually extremely grateful that I’m currently able to remain at home in comfort, a bit of boredom and loneliness, but that’s a small price to pay for the good fortune of being able to remain home in comfort without being without anything I need. That in itself is a huge blessing, wealthy I’m not, not even mildly close. Stay safe hon – super grateful for you putting these topics out there. Kimba
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I am able to work from home which is good, but it isn’t as bad up here as in Florida. Today I had to go out and was pleased to see more masks than ever. In fact, almost everyone was wearing one, even in the hardware store. And, yeah, I half remember “back on the farm” ;)
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Pingback: Masks Part 2 – They’re not Political! — Trent’s World (the Blog) – Penny Wilson Writes
Well said, Trent and I SO agree with you! :)
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Thanks, Penny, and thanks for the reblog :) I hope more people do start to wear masks!
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I agree with you 100%. Wearing a mask is the sensible thing to do.
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Thanks, Sadje. I hope people in your country are more sensible than some of the people here…
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Right now I am in Seattle where they are usually being sensible. Back home in Pakistan it’s a 50-50 split. The poor people have no access to buying masks and not much awareness. The educated and better off people are mostly wearing masks.
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I didn’t realize you were in Seattle now. I have heard a lot about all of the issues in India with the virus, but little about Pakistan.
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We are coping okay with the virus as apparently, and thankfully it’s impact is not that deadly on our people. Probably because the immunity is high because of our constant exposure to diseases.
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I agree 100% this saves lives. Well written post and thank you for sharing! 😊
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They do save lives. Thanks :)
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