1. What’s your mask situation like?
My current inventory consists of 10 cloth type masks that sell for $5.99 a pack at Don Quijote. These are just those light blue generic types, which I have found last quite a while. You can hand wash them and let them dry in the sun. Use them again and again. Yes, I am cheap.
These are government mandated fashions. Why should I spend too much money on this crap when it doesn't really protect me.
I have two colorful cloth masks given to me by a friend. Thanks Sandra C. I am saving the one I have for myself and gave the other to my friend. The second set of masks was given to me by someone that work in the organization that I do their website for. I got two patriotic masks with the American flag and an eagle on them. Haven't used them unless I go to something that deserves me to be seen in them.
I had two black cloth masks that I first bought when this whole mess started for $5 each. They were nice. One thing that I have found is that the elastic straps on these masks break easily. Both of mine broke and I no longer use those masks. I refuse to buy anymore expensive masks if the straps are the weak point.
I also have two N95 masks that someone else gave me several months ago when this whole crisis was in its infancy. I dare not wear those in public. There may be people out there who chastise individuals who wear N95s because "we are denying healthcare workers from getting one"..... bull-crap.
A cottage industry has developed because of this government mandate, with individuals as well as small and large businesses selling masks, most starting at $5 to $6 each. High end ones go for a lot more. No thanks.
Government is forcing me under penalty of being fined to wear a mask. After my two initial masks broke, I decided no thanks to any pricey masks unless I can find one that looks this:
2. In what way is your life better today than a few months ago?
Up until recently it was nice to drive on the streets without too much traffic on the roads. Now that things are opening up again, traffic is spiking up to near normal levels. Other than that, nothing else is better.
3. What do you miss from normal living?
Let's see if I can come up with a top 10 list to this one....
- Being everywhere mask free. Duh????
- Going to work
- The monthly sidewalk sale for cheap records and CDs at Idea's Books and Music.
- Eating inside a restaurant
- Meeting my friends for lunch, even though I hardly did that.
- Be worry free about touching things or brushing up against people who may be carrying the COVID-19 virus.
- I hate those places that require a temp check before entering. So far I am avoiding them.
- I cannot go to the Big Island of Hawaii without a) subjecting myself to quarantine (up to June 15) and now b) having to fill out some stupid disclosure form before traveling and then submitting it to the government so that they may contact trace you. Ugh! Plus wearing masks in planes, airports, etc. suck. So sorry Southwest and Hawaiian Airlines.... I am not flying until everything about that process reverts to normal pre-COVID19 levels.
- Going to scenic points to take photos. Currently most of them are still closed I think.
- Freedoms we had before this mess started.
4. When this is over, what will be your major takeaway?
Will the COVID-19 crisis ever get over? Hawaii is spiking up again since more businesses and socialization opportunities have reopened. Could the state and the rest of the nation go back into lockdown mode later this year during the fall and winter months? We are half way now to a year with this thing.
Perhaps the major takeaway could be to change the leadership of our local government through the elections coming up this year.
Buy a dumb burner phone.
5. What are your feelings about getting back out there sooner, rather than later?
Just be careful. Avoid gathering with large groups in the same place for a length of time.... perhaps 10 minutes or longer. Good thing for me is that I am not a group type of person. I don't go to movies, concerts or other large gatherings mainly due to cost, so avoiding these will be easy.
Surely though, the state should open up to tourism again since no matter what everyone says, it will bring the economy back since there are so many people unemployed and many businesses dying on the vine.
My approach (and you can take this or leave it) is we're going to be wearing these things for a while, in social and personal and professional contexts. We may as well treat them like part of our wardrobes now, and put the same kind of thought and care into masks as we do our aloha shirts (or whatever). Some of us just want to be covered appropriately; some want to make an impression; some want to express ourselves. In a way, the masks are even more visible than our shirts and pants, so a small investment in them seems called for, you know? But I think you and I might differ on this point. I threw all (and I mean ALL) my aloha shirts out a several years ago because I don't want to be dressed like everyone else in the working world. :)
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