The eyes speak a bit, but not enough. I really miss the brief, pleasant, wordless social interactions that come from seeing each others’ full facial expressions as strangers pass by each other. I think that’s part of what the authorities want in order to induce a feeling of isolation, fear, despair and disconnect from each other.
~~~~~~~~~~
I passed two little girls waiting for their mother and they looked at me warily, with big puppy eyes as I was a masked stranger looking at them - they couldn’t gauge my mood/intention.
I smiled as I passed them and the wary expression of their eyes seemed additionally concerned - I forgot I had a mask on and they couldn’t see the smile, but my face muscles flexed so they probably thought i was paying attention to them ‘somehow.’ But then again maybe they replied with tiny little shy smiles under those masks which I couldn’t read and therefore didn’t acknowledge.
The eyes speak a bit, but not enough. I really miss the brief, pleasant, wordless social interactions that come from seeing each others’ full facial expressions as strangers pass by each other. I think that’s part of what the authorities want in order to induce a feeling of isolation, fear, despair and disconnect from each other.
~~~~~~~~~~
I passed two little girls waiting for their mother and they looked at me warily, with big puppy eyes as I was a masked stranger looking at them - they couldn’t gauge my mood/intention.
I smiled as I passed them and the wary expression of their eyes seemed additionally concerned - I forgot I had a mask on and they couldn’t see the smile, but my face muscles flexed so they probably thought i was paying attention to them ‘somehow.’ But then again maybe they replied with tiny little shy smiles under those masks which I couldn’t read and therefore didn’t acknowledge.
- * - * - *
This is a beautiful post. Thank you.
Little children still look at me and smile. Next time that happens I’ll take my stupid mask off and smile right back.
I understand your concern. I work in a building where a small school for autistic children rents space. The teachers and helpers all wear masks and I sometimes see the fear in the eyes of those children who have no understanding of what is going on.