It tolls for thee.
The twisted John Donne poem is sadly appropriate. Donne was saying that we’re all interconnected and that anyone’s death is a loss for all of mankind.
So wear a damn mask!
Here are just a few ideas for conversations with people that won’t.
For those that don’t believe masks are necessary: Scientific evidence is extremely clear that masks significantly slow the spread the airborne COVID-19 virus. While most masks provide only marginal protection for the wearer, even basic cloth masks are quite effective in reducing the spread of the virus from an infected individual to others. In other words: IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU. Refusing to wear a mask says that you don’t give a shit about anyone other than yourself. I’d suggest you simply wear a red t-shirt with “Narcissistic Asshole” written in large, white letters … but I’m absolutely sure that you’d misspell at least one of those words.
For those that think they’re virus-free and thus don’t need no stinkin’ mask: The fact is that 50-80% of people with the COVID-19 virus are asymptomatic but still contagious. You simply don’t know if you’re infected. You. Don’t. Know.
For those that think requiring people to wear a mask is unconstitutional government overreach: Get over yourself. Our Texas Governor is trying to walk a fence that doesn’t exist. He says he encourages people to wear masks but refuses to allow government enforcement. That’s like nicely asking the school bully to please stop punching you. This is a public health issue. There are legal penalties and fines for taking a dump on the streets of Texas, so why is not wearing a mask any different? If anything, I’d argue that you generally won’t die from stepping in a pile of poop.
For those that think being mask-free is a political statement: A recent study did show an unfortunate political divide with 73% of Democrats wearing masks as opposed to 59% of Republicans. “The 2020 GOP: Now with 14% more idiots!” Still, a majority of BOTH parties are wearing masks. There are zero reasons for this to be a party loyalty issue. If you want to make a political statement, wear a button on your mask.
For those that won’t wear a mask because Trump won’t wear one: The President of the United States should be setting an example… just not this one. Indeed, he has even mocked Joe Biden for wearing a mask. Why on Earth am I even talking to you? Go away.