Published: 12/27/2020 3:08:43 PM The man who wrote about people sticking their noses out (above) their masks says they are showing ...
Published: 12/27/2020 3:08:43 PM
The man who wrote about people sticking their noses out (above) their masks says they are showing contempt for the rest of us. Please don’t assume anything; you don’t know their reason. Consider that the person may have lung or heart problems which can make breathing difficult, and perhaps this person has no one to shop for them. Or maybe the mask slipped down and they haven’t yet noticed that happened.
As for following the one-way arrows, have you never made the mistake of going the wrong way? I know I have: glasses fogging up, trying to read a label or sign, moving so I am 6 feet from someone, and not aware of everything around me or on the floor.
This happens to people, especially elders; it’s all so confusing and stressful at times. I’m grateful for the helpful person who points to the arrow to let me know that I’m going the wrong way. And I’ve often pointed to the floor and shown others who are making that mistake (while smiling with my eyes, above my mask), and usually they nod a thank you.
This is a hard time for all of us and people feel anxious, lonely, stressed, and yes, angry sometimes. Maybe we can give the benefit of the doubt to the person not following rules. Perhaps it’s a nurse or a nurse’s aide, after a long, busy shift, just trying to get some groceries to bring home and not operating at 100% because of exhaustion. It could be a tired first responder, cop, firefighter, road crew, store clerk, any front-line worker. Or maybe an exhausted parent.
So let’s try to be patient, even if the offender is being rebellious. As Pooh Bear might remind us, “You can catch more flies with Honey”.
Kathleen O’Rourke
Shelburne Falls
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