She has asthma to boot and takes a daily inhaler medicine. Isn't Medicare sort of our sad version of socialized medicine? Still not cutting it!
Uplifting
I just went to a new optometrist's office and had a refreshingly lovely experience. My parents also mask in public, and had recommended this office for various excellent customer service reasons, but also because they hadn't had any issues masking there.
I'm at a point in my pandemic navigation where I pretty much avoid all doctors unless I can help it, but I need new contacts. I'm used to medical professionals treating me with confusion or even open disdain for wearing an N95. And yet, as soon as I walked in the door, the receptionist said "Hey, that's smart of you!" (gesturing at her face and referring to my mask).
Now, since some of you may be unaware, Canada is currently experiencing terrible widespread wildfires, and the smoke is engulfing much of the USA's East Coast, where I live. Outdoor air quality is terrible in a way we're not used to around here. I'm running air filters and masking in my own CC home to mitigate it. For all I know, she was only referring to the smoke regarding my choice to mask. So I simply replied "Yeah, it really helps with the smoke! It helps with a lot of things!" But still, I'm so unused to any stranger commenting positively about my masking that I was taken aback.
The actual exam was great as well. The doctor never commented on my mask other than to mention that if I experienced any fogging while wearing the phoropter that I could try moving my mask further down my nose. I guess it helps that optometry is a field where you don't need to interact with the patient's mouth or nose at all, but she was completely unfazed. I was so relieved to not be made to feel like a weirdo for once just for protecting myself in a healthcare setting. It's not to the degree where I would consider adding this office to a database of Covid-safe professionals (No air filters, no masked staff), but just treating their masked patients with basic respect goes a long way in our cruel society.
I feel like the pandemic is such a taboo that most people made uncomfortable by those masking around them still won't comment on it unless they're exceedingly rude or hostile. I can't even tell you the last time a stranger who wasn't also wearing a mask said something positive about it. I'm dealing with a lot of feelings right now regarding the state of things. It can be easy to feel powerless when the world is literally on fire. But never forget that your words and actions are powerful. That receptionist made my damn day and put me at ease in an uncomfortable situation. And maybe that same small interaction will inspire her to mask, even if it's only temporarily against wildfire smoke instead of viruses. It bears repeating that you being out there in public, masking, are doing the right thing to protect yourself and everyone around you, and you are helping to normalize what is actually extremely simple and practical social behavior. Keep on keeping on, y'all.
Vent
Lads in a van, pull alongside us, I’ve got the window down because it’s hot. They start swearing, laughing and shouting at us. They pull behind us, beeping and driving erratically. Pull around us and start gesticulating.
On the one hand, I know I shouldn’t worry or react to people who do this. Logically, I feel for them, because I can only imagine very hurt people would act like this. On the other, it absolutely boils by blood.
When is this going to stop happening?!
