Wear A Mask In Public, This Is The Way

I’ve just finished watching The Mandalorian, Modern Philosophers.

Not only was it highly entertaining, but it also taught me what to say to people who refuse to wear a mask in public:

This is the way.

For those of you not familiar with the show, the main character is a bounty hunter (just like the more well-known Boba Fett), who never removes his mask in public.

When anyone asks The Mandalorian why he doesn’t take off his mask, he replies:

This is the way. 

Even a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, kick ass bounty hunters understood the importance of wearing a protective mask when out in public.

Of course, for The Mandalorian, the whole “wearing a mask thing” is part of his religion, but it is also there for his protection.

You don’t have to be a religious zealot or a bounty hunter to grasp why it’s necessary to wear a mask in public during a pandemic.

You just have to have common sense, a basic understanding of how a virus spreads, compassion for others, and a notion to abide by the law.

Because as much as you feel that it infringes upon your personal rights, or screws with your impeccable fashion sense, wearing a mask in public is the law right now.

In other words…

This is the way.

I have witnessed far too many situations lately where people are not only out and about in public without a mask, but also arguing about having to put one on when asked.

I’m troubled and confused by this.

I’m not exactly a fan of wearing a mask all day, but I understand why it is necessary.  If it weren’t a requirement of my job, I would still wear one to keep myself and others safe.

I’m no immunologist, so I’m not going to pretend I’m any kind of expert on COVID 19 or viruses.  If the people with “Doctor” in front of their names tell me that wearing a mask in public is the best way to keep from catching the Coronavirus and spreading it to others, then I am going to trust their expertise.

This is the way.

And let me repeat this, because I think it’s important: I listen to people with “Doctor” in front of their names, not “President”, when it comes to things with a scientific bent.

People have the right to believe they are immune, immortal, or more powerful than the virus that has killed over 80,000 people in this country, but they are selfish if they refuse to even consider the effect that not wearing a mask could have on others.

To put it in terms of The Mandalorian, would you want to be the one who infects poor Baby Yoda because you thought it was too much of a hassle to put on a mask?

A selfish, self-centered prick, do not be.

I went for a run this morning, and it’s a beautiful day in Maine, probably the nicest weather we’ve had since the Coronavirus came to town.  As a result, there were many people also out running and walking.

It freaked me out that not one of them was wearing a mask.

I was the only one with a mask, the Mandalorian of my neighborhood, if you will.

I get that you want to enjoy the weather, and I’m all for people trying to stay healthy during this time of sickness and death, but wear a mask!

This is the way.

I haven’t heard any rumors about the Governor sending out bounty hunters to track down anyone in public not wearing a mask, but you never know.

We’re living in strange, challenging times.  Just wear a mask, and maybe we’ll all live happily ever after…

 

Do you have an issue with wearing a mask in public?  Have you been in a situation where someone was asked to wear a mask and refused?