We just can’t let our guards down for a moment. I’m as frustrated as you are with so many people acting as though Covid is no longer a threat. So, it’s up to us to continue to be proactive and do what we can to stay safe. One positive (for lack of better word) that came out of the pandemic, I think it’s more comfortable for those of us who do need to be extra cautious to actually wear masks in public now.

When I first had my transplant it was a year before Covid. Masks were not common in the mainstream world. I was always getting side-eye glances anywhere I went. I’m thick skinned so it seldom bothered me. But I often thought about how many people felt like they were forced to stay isolated because of the possible stigma of wearing masks.

My transplant took place at Mayo-Rochester where I stayed for 4 months. I had to wear a mask anytime I left my apartment…viruses, bacteria and fungal infections were dangerous. Rochester was easy for feeling ‘normal’ wearing masks in public. You could tell the transplant patients because we were all wearing N-95 masks. But I felt really comfortable, safe and not judged.

The wake-up call was returning home! I was excited to have some normalcy so my first trip out I went with my husband to get groceries at our local market. Still needing to wear a mask anytime I was out, I felt so conspicuous! This was my hometown but it wasn’t the safety net of Rochester. People walked way around me, side-eye glances…one mother with a little girl in a cart parked near me in the dairy aisle. When I turned to put something in my cart, the little girl could see my mask. I ‘smiled’ and said Hi. The little girl yelled at her mom, “Why does that lady have a mask on?” Her mom grabs the cart and said, while looking at me, “I don’t know what she has, but we’re not getting anywhere near her.” Welp, that would have been a very good teaching moment for that mom and daughter about compassion and understanding, germs? I wasn’t the sick one…I needed to be protected from her daughter who might give me chicken pox or measles! They didn’t need to fear me!
Honestly, my immediate response (in my mind) was I wanted to take my mask down and fake cough! 😂. Instead I wished them a lovely day and walked off. But I felt a bit defeated that I let someone shake my positive attitude for a moment. Anyway, now that Covid has brought masking to the forefront, even though there are people who balk at wearing them, masks do work to keep us protected. So hang in there, m’dear. Hopefully this does get under control someday and we won’t have to be so cautious. Enjoy your trip. We’re heading back to Florida soon.