We’ve all seen what has happened in areas where anti-maskers rule the day.
In America’s “Heartland” states, cases are spreading like wildfire as their governors refuse to make masks mandatory, or enforce city orders.
And in Burnaby, we could see the same type of thing if more anti-maskers continue to do what one did to me Friday.
I was standing in the checkout line at the Kensington Safeway when suddenly I could feel a presence right beside. I instinctively turned and my arm brushed against one of these dudes carrying a basket.
He was standing right beside me and wasn’t wearing a mask (I was, of course.).
“What the f%&* are you doing,” I blurted out, losing my cool.
“Putting my items on the counter,” he said with a smirk (I could tell he was smirking, of course, because he wasn’t wearing a mask).
I gave him a look that must’ve been terrifying because he retreated quickly to the sticker on the floor.
"Don't get close to people," I said. "And put on a mask."
“I don't need one, I get tested every day,” he said.
Which is baloney. Nobody gets tested every day unless they work on a movie set or they’re a pro athlete in one of these sports bubbles.
And it doesn’t even matter about testing. With incubation periods, you can have it and not know it yet. And tests don’t prevent COVID-19, you moron.
This guy is part of a movement that not only refuse to wear masks, but can’t stand anyone else wearing one either because they think the whole world is getting played.
It’s so infuriating.
And it’s not the first time someone has gotten this close.
I was waiting my turn at a business recently and I noticed that the only other person – a mom with her young son – had a mask but was wearing it down on her chin. So not covering either her mask or nose.
She speaking with the clerk and they are about three feet from each other, which is another mistake if you’ve been listening to Dr. Bonnie Henry every single day for the past few months.
Sure, it’s bad that nobody else is wearing masks, but it feels so frustrating when you see someone with a mask on, but having it hang down on their chin, or just covering their mouth.
It’s like they think that just having it in the vicinity of their face is enough of an effort.
Well, it’s not, of course. It’s ridiculous and I was embarrassed just watching it.
But hey, we’re only seeing our COVID-19 cases creep up so why should anyone make an effort? We’ve already sacrificed enough, so time to move on, right?
“Make sure your mask is well-fitted over your nose, mouth and chin, and that it is secured to your head with ties or ear loops so that you do not have to adjust frequently,” says Canada’s top public health official, Dr. Theresa Tam. “Try not to touch the mask or your face while wearing the mask, as this is another route of infection. Some people may not realize that masks can become contaminated on the outside. Wash your hands before and after putting on and taking off your mask using soap and water or a Health Canada-approved hand sanitizer. Only you should wear your mask - please do not share it with others.”
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
