Posted
an essay recently (“Can
we get unanimous agreement on anything?”).
Barely a day after it went up, I had a response:
“…you’re
crazy. You seem to blame ‘emotional and stubborn’ people, but
you should probably look in a mirror. People are responsible
and good, and they’ll come together for the right reasons…”
There
was more, but that covers it really well. No need to include accusations
about my political beliefs, insinuations about my religious beliefs,
or questions that involve my mother, my father, and the date of
their wedding.
I
did have two immediate reactions.
Number one – Bull
Number two – Sh…
…ok,
less sarcastic retort. Let’s move on to a more discussion and
developed approach.
My
actual first reaction was simple: I win. Bit of witty sarcasm
remains in that, but I think it’s true.
I
mean, come on. I wrote an essay saying that thoughtful and beneficial
conversations were endangered, with society at a point where there
likely isn’t a single issue for which we will ever see a unanimous
agreement. The first response to my being convinced people are
unable to agree is someone that disagrees.
Yup,
I win.
My
second reaction was a bit more developed: Masks.
My
state of residence currently estimates approximately 60% of the
eligible population have completed the vaccination protocol. Same
state also allows a relaxation of mask wearing requirements for
people that are vaccinated.
Two
days ago, I ran some errands. Walmart, Home Depot and Lowe’s were
part of the rounds. I counted. First place, fifty people and four
masks. Second place, forty-two people and six masks. Third place,
fifty-five people and eight masks. These sightings include employees.
One-hundred
and forty-seven people. Using an average based on state details
of those vaccinated and able to walk around without masks would
mean that if everyone is being honest and those taking advantage
of vaccinated status, I should see in the vicinity of sixty masks.
I
counted eighteen.
A
state that claims to have about sixty percent of the population
vaccinated. I walk into three different stores and just shy of
ninety percent aren’t wearing masks, with each store in the same
general range.
Anyone
actually think the honor system for mask wearing is being followed
with true honesty? Of course not.
Funny
thing about masks. I’m vaccinated. I wear mine in public all the
time.
Why?
Personal reasons. Biggest one involves friends and family with
compromised immune systems. If there’s anything I can do that
assists in keeping them safe, count me in. Masks are a really
simple way to provide an added layer of protection for them, while
also increasing my ability to see them in person.
(I
also don’t believe that people will act in ways that are accountable
and responsible. I expect people to be rude, ignorant, and blatantly
lie about their vaccination status in order to just toss their
masks. But that’s actually down the list of reasons.)
Big
thing is, if I’m wearing a mask to assist in keeping myself and
those I care about safe, it means that the numbers of those wearing
masks should be higher. That observation potentially makes the
results even worse.
We’ve
reached a point where people don’t believe in personal accountability
and responsibility any more. They gather enough material to support
their beliefs and then apply a full stop. The material could be
from a discredited and proven liar, but if it matches what they
want to believe they wave a wand and declare it a fact. It’s (my
words and description) “I’m right, you’re wrong” close eyes, insert
fingers into ears and start humming. So much for a civilized conversation
and exchange of information.
I
hope things change. I hope we become more accepting of each other,
especially from the standpoint of doing what we can to support
and assist those in need.
I
just worry that it may get worse before it gets better. And as
long as people are going to say I’m wrong about everyone disagreeing
by disagreeing with me, it appears as if my masks are going to
be around for a while.