Everyone is tired these days from the vigilance needed to keep COVID-19 at bay. Eight months is a long time to be on hyperalert. Even with that being said, I still get very annoyed with people who don't wear a mask around others or only pretend to wear a mask with it pulled down below their nose.
Well today, one of those annoying people was me. I had gone for my allergy shot, fully masked, and was trying to decided whether or not I was going to stop at Aldi's on the way home. We didn't really need anything, but finally decided to stop in for some bananas. Then I contemplated whether or not I'd need a cart in case I found some great deals, and whether or not I had a quarter to get one. With all of these considerations bouncing around in my head, I forgot to put my mask back on before I went into the store. There I was darting up and down the aisles with a totally naked face when I finally noticed a woman who gave me a side-ways glance. Then I realized it. I had forgotten my mask. Embarrassed that people would see me as one of "those inconsiderates," I rushed to the car and suited up.
I went back into the store hoping that I'd see some of the same people who had seen me before without a mask. I don't know if anyone noticed me without or with my mask, but I felt better with it on, not to mention that wearing it is a county and state ordinance.
The store wasn't crowded and, as usual, I avoided people the best I could. I think it's going to be alright.
Have you ever forgotten to wear your mask when you've gone out?
I have a stash of masks that I keep in my car, because I sometimes forget to grab one on the way out. You'd think by now that it would be ingrained in me to take one every time I leave the house! Thank you for the reminder that sometimes, when we see people without a mask, it's an honest mistake.
ReplyDeleteWe are supposed to wear goggles during all of our direct patient care. I find that I frequently forget to put those on. I think that my problem is twofold ..... with the mask around my ears, I have the physical sensation that I am "suited up". Also, I wear glasses for reading and computer work--they are prescription, not "readers", but I don't like wearing them at other times as I feel like my peripheral vision is impaired and also my distance vision is good. At work I'm frequently flipping between goggles and glasses and it's hard to keep track of what's on my head. Soon we will all have to wear bubble suits to do patient care. :)
Thank you for helping people in situations where you need to wear all of that gear.
DeleteAt work sometimes among the mask, my glasses, and ear buds I have a tangled mess. At one of the other library systems in the area that is open to the public, they also have shields to wear over their masks. I don't know if I could handle one more thing to wear or not.
I wear the goggles so I don't have to wear a face shield! They are too hot and it's too hard to talk to people when wearing a shield ... at least, that's my experience.
DeleteWe almost lost my mom's hearing aids when removing her mask. I wonder how many people that has happened to.
Oh, I could totally see how that could happen.
DeleteI keep a bunch of masks in my car and backpack, so I always have one with me. I have been known to give the stink eye to people without them, but honestly, I rarely see anyone without them here. When we were in Florida, we were in the minority while masked.
ReplyDeleteI have several masks in the car, but the only thing I take into stores are a credit card and car keys in my pocket. It's just easier for me than handling all of the extra things that comes with getting things in and out of a purse. While I have done it, masks don't fit well into most of my pockets. Hopefully, it will be a while before I forget again.
DeleteI'm usually good and catch myself before I've gotten very far from the car, by a store. One time, though, I did walk into a C-F-A without one and made my order, etc. before realizing my mistake when I was leaving. There was no problem with social distancing during my little foray and the employees didn't give me the stinkeye, as far as I could tell, but I did feel embarrassed. I had been riding my bike and rode up to the store forgetting to pull my mask out of a pocket. That's been about it, though. I have to say that the fried chicken and biscuit was really, really good after the ride, though (how could it not be?).
ReplyDeleteI definitely felt embarrassed but it was an honest mistake--just like yours was.
DeleteI forgot my mask, one time, when I went to take something to my friend. Fortunately, I was wearing a scarf and I pulled that up around my mouth and nose, and, in any case, I was in the car with the window up most of the way (just down a couple of inches to call out a greeting to my friend) and she picked up the package from the trunk of my car. I have, since, placed a few disposable masks in my purse, so I have them with me at all times. I should make a few more fabric masks for my own use - I gave away all the extras that I had and am now down to just two for myself!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you were practicing good social distancing, so the mask was less needed in that situation. If I'm talking to someone in a car and I'm outside, I always stand back because they often don't have their mask on. And I think that's okay because there is the distance, the outside air, and often a window as in your case.
DeleteSometimes the mask is so routine, I don't even notice it. Other times, I look around and I feel like I'm in a science fiction movie.
Guilty! And it was at the doctors office. I stopped just before reaching the desk that would have stopped me anyhow and realized my mask was in my car and did an about face, an about red faced.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like there are a lot of us who have had a lapse in mask wearing.
DeleteI’m surprised you even got as far without one as you did!
ReplyDeleteI have stepped out of the car before without a mask, but only gone a couple of steps before I realized it. I'm surprised too that I made it that far without realizing I didn't have a mask on as well as not having someone say something to me.
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