Thanks for Masking

 I know. This is a pretty bad pun. But it’s also true.

As we inch ever closer to getting this pandemic under control, the experts still advise people to wear masks when in public. This applies as well to those who have been fully vaccinated. I have received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, with the second coming up in just more than two weeks. 

Unfortunately, many states, mostly led by Republicans, are hell-bent on reopening their states completely, despite the very real risk still posed by this virus. Those of us who actually care about our families, friends and communities continue to mask up when we leave the house. Many people refuse to shop at businesses that do not require a mask, regardless of what the state permits. I know people in Texas, whose governor has decided that it’s time to reopen for business as usual, no mask required, are refusing to shop at any business that allows people inside without a mask. My state, whose governor has taken a very reasonable, cautious and measured approach to the virus, still has a mask and social distancing mandate in place. And that suits me just fine.

And it’s not really a surprise to see that the infection rate, the hospitalization rate and the death rate in my state have dropped significantly. And with each biweekly assessment of the situation in the state and in each county, counties are being allowed to re-open at greater capacity levels. That could change, of course, if the infection rates increase dramatically. But so far, despite grumbling and lawsuits from some Republicans, the state is doing well. 

We have together, and despite the refusal of so many to stay home and to mask up when in public, come a long way over the past year. The end is in sight, as more and more people get vaccinated against this virus that has created so much death and cost so many jobs. But it will take everybody working together to finally get this country back to some semblance of normality. If we let our guard down too soon, we can reverse the progress we have made. 

We as humans and as workers and business owners need to pull together, regardless of what certain misguided politicians may say. It is encouraging to hear from Texas friends that they will continue to mask up when in public, and it is encouraging to hear about many Texas businesses that continue to require that patrons of their shops mask up if they want to enter the store premises. On the other hand, we see stories about huge crowds on Florida and Texas beaches celebrating spring break. And I was saddened to see a recent poll that indicates that 47 percent of those who voted for the previous president do not plan to get vaccinated, versus only 10 percent ofthose who voted for the current president. 

Please, don't be one of those responsible for continuing the pandemic as it ravages our nation. Get vaccinated against the coronavirus. The injection is painless.