March 13 marked the last time I ventured out before everything changed. On March 20, 2020, I made my first trip to the pharmacy since the onset of the pandemic, donning a mask with a buff for extra safety. Over the past year, I’ve often opted for double-masking with a KN95 and a cloth mask, or a cloth mask and a buff. Sure, my glasses fog up occasionally, and there are moments when I just want to rip it off, but overall, I’ve grown quite fond of my mask.
Makeup Just Got Simpler
Just the other day, my nine-year-old gave me a hard time while I was applying makeup. “Mom, why even bother?” he asked, exasperated. “No one’s going to see it.” Well, kid, I enjoy makeup, and I’ll wear it if I want to, mask or not!
He does have a point, though. Why bother with lipstick? People might catch a glimpse of my blush or my eyes, but thankfully, I can do a fantastic smoky eye and keep my skin moisturized to combat those pesky fine lines. And let’s be real—the mask hides my dark circles quite nicely. It’s like I’ve discovered the perfect solution to those under-eye bags!
Plus, I can grab my Jackie O-style sunglasses for a touch of glam. Suddenly, I feel like a mysterious Hollywood star, and no one knows if I’m a celebrity or just a regular mom. If I didn’t want to wear makeup, my mask gives me that freedom.
My Mask Fights More Than Just COVID-19
Did you know that we experienced an unusually low flu season in 2020-2021? According to Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt, flu cases hit “record-setting lows.” While proper hygiene and social distancing played a role, masks are effective against respiratory droplets—just like those that transmit the flu. So, I might just have found my secret weapon against the flu, too!
This winter, I didn’t catch a single cold. Sure, I’ve gone out less, sanitized more, and I plan to keep those habits. I’ll be the crazy hand sanitizer lady forever, but it’s the mask that really stops the germs from reaching my lungs. Honestly? I just don’t want to breathe in your nasty air. I’m not sure I can return to casually inhaling the air in grocery stores. My mask protects me from the worst of it, and I can even coordinate it with my outfits!
So I Won’t Wear My Mask All the Time
When the pandemic finally ends, I’ll likely wear my mask nearly every time I go out. I might skip it during a drive-thru at Starbucks, but I can’t help but wonder what germs that barista might be harboring.
I’m not turning into a recluse, though. Casual outdoor meet-ups with friends? The mask can come off. But in winter, when we’re inside together? I might keep it on, unless I’m sipping coffee. I’ll definitely wear it through cold and flu season. Hiking? No mask needed, but I might throw one on for a quick gas station stop.
I’ll need plenty of setting spray to keep my makeup intact, especially around my nose. That’s a small price to pay for feeling good.
My kids will probably wear masks too; they shouldn’t have to breathe in those grocery store germs either. After all, if they catch a cold or flu, they’ll bring those germs home to me. No thanks!
So, when the pandemic is behind us, I won’t be putting my mask away. I’ll continue to wear it indoors and during cold and flu season. The pandemic has changed me in many ways, and I now have a heightened awareness of germs. Plus, heading to Target in my mask makes me feel like a ninja!