Something to talk about other than masks. In the past I've used one whenever I've a heavy pack, sometimes two but don't like that, now I use a hickory walking stick because I have to. All my own choice.
After I fell and messed up my ankle and foot I started using a cane. A year later I’m still not able to walk like normal so I got a set of trekking (hiking) poles. I use one in the house on days my balance is off or the foot hurts worse than usual and I have one for outside in the yard. Two years, two podiatrists, one foot/ankle orthopedic specialist, a dozen x-rays, a heavy duty brace, and three MRI’s later and I’m still using the poles. Good invention.
Gorilla Gear made an extendable aluminum stick. Had a gun rest on a 1/4-20 bolt. Take the rest off, you’ve got a camera monopod. And the pointy end was nothing you’d wanna be stuck with.
We like to use our snowshoes in the winter months. You can easily replace the tips for use as walking poles for the other seasons:
https://yukoncharlies.com/trekking-pole-baskets-tips/
I have a nice walking pole I take with me if we’re going to hike around the property and check fencing; helps a LOT in the early spring when there are still patches of snow and ice in shaded areas.