They’re becoming a more and more common sight around here: face masks made of fabric and secured with elastic, worn at the grocery store and on the subway, and/or almost any time a person goes out in public.
My upstairs neighbor offered to sew masks for all of us last week, and I gladly took him up on the offer. I’ve been wearing mine when I ride the train (usually to go to Trader Joe’s), and I ordered another one from a small local business whose shop (on top of the coronavirus crisis) was flooded recently. (If you’re looking for a place to order a mask, I recommend Ash & Rose – they could really use the help right now, and they’re donating a mask to an organization in need for each one sold.)
I know the masks are supposed to help protect us, but I’m really struggling with them – both with wearing mine and seeing so many other people wearing them. I hate not being able to see other people smile, or read their expressions at all. It reminds me irresistibly of that Paul Laurence Dunbar poem, which I love, but which breaks my heart.
So far, I’m skipping the mask when I run – they make it difficult to breathe, and I have a neck gaiter I can pull up if I need to. And, thank goodness, I can still see my loved ones and colleagues smiling on Zoom calls and FaceTime.
Are you wearing a mask, these days?
cakes, tea and dreams 
I live in Austin and it is a city ordinance that you must have a face mask while I public. I have struggled with it though – it made me cry the first time I wore it – it has come to this?
It’s really hard. Sending you a virtual hug.
My sister-in-law’s second husband sent us a box of 10 N95s. We all (but the kids — so far) got one. Husband has no qualms wearing his not only for the weekly shopping, but he also does carpentry work — even though alone and communicates with customers only via phone calls and texts. He wears it at the lumber yards, too. (They’ve all finally started wearing them.) I have qualms — I am keeping mine for an emergency. I have a scarf, bandanna, and regular cloth medical mask to otherwise choose from. I’ve only been out in public once these past endless weeks and wore the lesser mask, but dear God, it was so sad to see everyone wearing them..
It is tough. I’m really glad your husband has a mask for his work, and that y’all all have them.
Rather than being sad about wearing masks, I choose to view this as a way we all care for one another. By wearing them, we can help prevent the spread. As a quilter, I have made many masks for family, friends, and neighbors. I also made some for our mail carrier and his family, and for the staff at our favorite bakehouse. All of them, including our young grandsons, have been appreciative and glad to have a “pretty” one to wear. I don’t wear mine on my walks because I don’t usually come in contact with anyone, and if we do, we keep a good distance apart. Otherwise if out in public, I’m wearing mine. This crisis is a battle for all of us, and it’s not easy to find any positives – I choose to look harder. Quilters and sewists are busy making and donating masks to many organizations. It’s a way we feel we can help. I hope that you are able to find positives in each day. Take Care
Some good perspective, Kay. And how lovely that you’re making masks.
It looks very likely that wearing masks will be one of the conditions of easing the lockdown restrictions in the UK as well, it’s a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things but like you I find it very strange not being able to see people’s expressions. I had to take my 2 month old baby to an out-of-hours GP a little while ago, I was issued with a mask for myself but they only had adult-sized mask and I think it distressed her so much more having something covering her face and not being able to see my face properly either. Take care. X
Oh, sweet baby. I bet that was strange for her. (And you.) Take good care. x
hi there. I am inviting you to stop by my blog which is about growing up with undiagnosed autism and contains excerpts from my book. Hope to see you there.
I’m wearing one every time I go out (which is rare)–my husband is in a high-risk category, so we’re doing everything we can to avoid bringing anything home to him. As you said, it’s hard not being able to read people’s expressions, but it’s worth it.
I’m having a hard time getting used to seeing them too! I’ve been wearing one (the old bandana and two hair elastics method) at the grocery store, but not while walking or running. I just ordered two from Sugar Sky (company which makes my favorite headbands) and they are also donating a mask for each one ordered. I should be getting them in early May – it will feel strange to have actual masks as part of my everyday life for the time being.
It’s a tough adjustment for sure. xo