To mask or not to mask, that is the question.

Except it's not really a question.

When stuff first started to look really bad for the U.S. in regards to Covid-19, the CDC and NIAID told regular Joes to not wear masks, because there was a serious shortage of PPI for people working in hospitals and treating Covid patients. You know, because most of the stuff came from China and they were basically on a lock down and nothing was getting shipped overseas. But as the supply line was fixed and as we learned more about the virus, we've been told to mask up.

The science and the anecdotal evidence backs it up. Covid spreads via respiratory droplets being expelled by an infected person and inhaled by a healthy person. Wearing a simple cloth mask contains most of the droplets, thus reducing the spread of infection. So everybody should wear one, right?

Apparently not.

Martin has been wearing a mask to work every day since the CDC officially recommended it. He hates it, but he does it. In fact, he's been doing it for so long now that he doesn't even hate it any more. It's just a minor inconvenience, and it keeps me from harassing and begging him to grow a beard. That must be nice for him.

I basically didn't set foot off my property for the better part of three months, nor did my kids. But since we started venturing out, we always mask up if we're going indoors. We're more chill in outdoor settings, because recirculated air is a bigger problem than outside, especially if you can't "socially distance."

I'm part of the 1-2% of people who will potentially have major problems (up to and including death) if I get Covid. But the thing is, wearing the mask does little to no good for me. If I want to be protected, the people around me have to wear the mask. And they freaking won't!

The government has said we should (though President Trump refused to wear one up until last weekend). The WHO, CDC, NIAID, and various other scientific research groups have said we should. In Utah, even the Area Presidency have asked us to wear a mask. And yet people are refusing. They're saying that mandating masks is infringing on their freedom. They're listening to, watching, and quoting alt-right conspiracy theorists about the so called "dangers" of wearing masks. They are saying it's too uncomfortable, they hate it, they're even throwing out the old pro-choice slogan, "My body, my choice."

I could die from this disease. I'm 41 years old. My kids are not quite 13 and 11. I'm generally healthy, but have had asthma since birth. And apparently, my "friends" neighbors think it's ok for me to die because they suffer from some claustrophobia if they cover their mouths and noses with a little strip of fabric?

People are saying that those of us who wear masks are "living in fear," to which I say OF COURSE I'M LIVING IN FEAR! I am not a germaphobe, nor am I afraid of life. What I am afraid of is dying at the age of 41. Of not being around to see my son go on his first real date. Of not being there to help my daughter when she gets her first period. Of missing out on fully half my life because someone didn't want to be "controlled" by a government agency, so they breathed their asymptomatic germs into my face and sentenced my family to a life without me. Show me one single person who isn't afraid to die this young. I dare you!

Obviously, this is a sensitive subject for me. I get really emotional about it. And I recognize the fear of those who think they are being controlled. I recognize it, because I've felt that deep dread low in the pit of my stomach ever since the schools were shut and the governor urged everyone to "shelter in place." I don't want anyone else to feel that way, ever. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. But now they are insisting that if you are immunocompromised or high risk, you should just stay home. To which I say, I've stayed home for the better part of six months, because we didn't understand the virus. Now we sort of do, and if everyone wears a mask while out in public, I can safely leave my house for the first time since January. I've done my time. So if you can't wear a mask, how about YOU be the one to just stay at home. It's your turn now.

The one that I'm struggling with the most right now is the Church request. They sent out a letter almost two weeks ago now, asking that all members in the Utah area wear masks indoors and outside in public when social distancing isn't possible. When they sent the letter out, I literally cried tears of joy. It was the answer to a prayer. Finally, our religious leaders were going to encourage the members to be kind and decent and do the "Christian" thing to help each other. But the members have lashed out, been disgusted, rolled their eyes, said the church was turning into a "communist" church so they'd have to leave now, and said they won't be controlled. This from people who don't drink, smoke, do drugs, have premarital sex, AND give up 10% of their income. The Church LITERALLY controls everything they do. But this one step, covering your face when you go out in public until virus rates fall dramatically for the sake of the elderly and immunocompromised, THIS is the one that gets you?

I've had times when my beliefs have wavered. I've had times when I stepped away from my faith. But I've always come home to my religion because it is just that--coming home. And I believe the things the Church teaches. I will never leave because of the doctrines, the rules, the slightly strange things we do, the amateur and unpaid clergy and teachers. I will never leave over tithing, or the Word of Wisdom. I never left over three hour church. But right now, the lack of love and kindness and consideration of the members is making me rethink everything.

I'm holding on out of sheer stubbornness right now, but my grip is starting to slip.

Sometimes, the sadness is a relief. At least my tears wash away some of the anger and bitterness.