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March 13 marked the last time I ventured outside. On March 20, 2020, I made my first trip to the pharmacy since the pandemic began, donning a mask with a buff for added safety. For the past year, I’ve been consistently wearing a mask—sometimes double masking with a KN95 and cloth mask, or just a cloth mask and buff. Sure, my glasses fog up occasionally, and I can’t wait to take it off at times, but I’ve come to appreciate my mask immensely.
A Trip to Target
Picture a typical trip to Target. Imagine the coughing toddlers, the sneezing individuals, and just… people. The sheer volume of germs floating around is astonishing. Humans exhaling all sorts of particulate matter into the air makes me shudder. The thought of breathing that in, especially during cold and flu season, is enough to make anyone cringe. Words like “droplet” and “secretion” aren’t exactly comforting.
I adore my mask so much that once the COVID-19 crisis is over, I might just keep wearing it.
Makeup Just Got More Convenient
Just the other day, my ten-year-old son questioned my makeup routine for an outing. “Why bother? No one will see it,” he said, exasperated. Well, I love makeup, kiddo, and I’ll wear it whether it’s visible or not. However, he makes a valid point. Why put on lipstick? A bit of blush might show, and if I’m indoors, they’ll only see my eyes peeking out from my mask. Luckily, I excel at smoky eyes and keep my skin hydrated to fend off fine lines. Plus, my mask conveniently hides the worst of my dark circles.
Alternatively, I can just toss on my oversized sunglasses and channel my inner celebrity. With that combo, I’m glamorous and mysterious—like I could be anyone from Audrey Hepburn to an undercover rock star. If I choose not to wear makeup, my mask gives me that freedom.
My Mask Is a Barrier Against More Than Just COVID-19
Did you know that the flu season in 2020-2021 was historically mild? According to Dr. Mark Johnson, an infectious disease expert, the flu was at “record-low levels.” While hand washing and social distancing have played a role, it’s clear that masks are also helping to prevent flu transmission, as both influenza and COVID-19 spread through respiratory droplets. I’m more than ready to say goodbye to the flu forever.
This winter, I haven’t caught a single cold. Sure, I’ve gone out less, and my hand washing habits are more rigorous than ever. I’ve embraced my role as the “Crazy Hand Sanitizer Lady,” collecting scented sanitizers like they’re collectibles. But my mask is the real hero, keeping the worst germs at bay.
Ultimately, it boils down to this: I simply don’t want to inhale your germs. The thought of breathing in all that “grocery store air” is unappealing. My mask is my shield against unwanted droplets, plus I can coordinate them with my outfits.
My Mask Will Become Part of My Routine
Once the pandemic is behind us, I anticipate wearing my mask whenever I leave the house. However, I might skip it for a drive-thru coffee run. Who knows what germs that barista might be harboring?
I’m not turning into a hermit, though. I’ll ditch the mask for casual get-togethers at the pool in summer, but during winter meet-ups indoors, it might stay on unless I’m enjoying a drink. I’ll definitely wear it during cold and flu season. While I won’t wear a mask on hikes, I’ll probably don one before stopping at the gas station.
I’ll need setting spray to keep my makeup in place since it tends to smudge around my nose. It’s a small price to pay.
My kids will likely continue wearing masks alongside me. They don’t need to breathe in grocery store air either, since it’s not just my health at stake. If they catch a cold or flu, they’ll bring those germs home, and I definitely don’t want to deal with that.
So, when the pandemic wraps up, my mask will remain a part of my life. I’ll keep wearing it indoors and during cold and flu season. COVID-19 has made me a bit more cautious, and I’m okay with that—especially if it means I can shop at Target like a ninja.
Summary
In conclusion, the pandemic may be winding down, but the benefits of wearing a mask are too significant to ignore. From simplifying my makeup routine to protecting against more than just COVID-19, I’ve found reasons to love my mask. As we move forward, I plan to keep it as part of my regular routine, even beyond the pandemic.