I see this all the time. I simply cannot understand the psychology of why people do this. To me it is just baffling. I am to the point where I may go up to these people and ask them why.
Just the other day I passed a guy near a neighborhood park, his dog was doing his business. Not another soul in sight and he is wearing mask.
I can’t breathe in those things. Does this make people feel virtuous? Are they honestly fearful?
*** I can’t breathe in those things. Does this make people feel virtuous? Are they honestly fearful?***
Yes, they feel virtuous, and yes, they are fearful.
They are fearful first, because they do not understand ANYTHING about viruses, so they believe that masks save themselves from harm.
Secondly, they feel virtuous, because they care sooooo much about everybody. Why wouldn’t you want to help keep others safe?
I can say this because I have several people in my life wearing masks in situations where it’s not necessary in the slightest way, and this is how they act.
I here in the San Francisco peninsula, I see this all the time. It’s been this way for thirteen months now. Solo walkers, bike riders, car drivers (windows rolled up) all wearing masks. Why? What’s the point? Do they really think the atmosphere is full of poisonous COVID gas all around them and one whiff will kill them?
What cracks me up is the fully masked will grab a seat at an outdoor dining table close to other diners and people walking by on the adjacent sidewalk and drop the mask.
The other thing that cracks me up is people dropping the mask to cover their chin and sitting on a bench sipping coffee with friends wearing their chin-masks.
Maybe silliest is all is the scared nuts without masks putting the crook of their elbows over the mouth and nose as I walk by them.
The fear is astonishing.
Yes, and yes.
I have welcomed being able to wear a mask. Ever since I had a deviated septum corrected around 30 years ago, odors have been around five times stronger than before. On top of that, the pollen, dust and mold spores are much more toxic to my respiratory system. I always wore a mask of some sort when doing yard work, but wasn’t able to wear one when I was teaching high school. I compensated by having a desk fan pointed AWAY from me, blowing the cigarette smells and cheap cologne away from my nose. I do want to see an end to the expectation that one must wear a mask, but I am hoping the option to wear one in public will stay in place.