Daily living

We are all living a new normal these days. The CoronaVirus has changed where we go, who we see, and how we prepare.

Yesterday I had some errands to run, including stopping at the dry cleaners to drop off some clothes for cleaning. I hopped out of my car and grabbed my bag of clothes and went in to the dry cleaners. I totally forgot to put my mask back on. I chatted with the man working there, who was wearing a mask, and then left and got back in my car.

About 3 minutes later, as driving, I realized what I did, or should I say didn’t do.

I felt so bad. Why? I had a slip up and simply forgot. But, I felt that walking in without wearing a mask is now a statement that I don’t believe in. I know that if I wear a mask I am protecting me AND protecting who I come in contact with. I know that it’s a sign of caring for others.

I don’t think the dry cleaners had a sign on the door requiring a mask. And the man working there did not say anything to me about it. Had he, I would have apologized immediately and grabbed my mask out of my purse. Because… I am not one of those defying the importance of masks.

So, daily living takes on a new challenge now. When running errands it’s masks on, and then off in the car, and on again, etc. It’s getting back into the car and using hand sanitizer every single time. It’s thinking about how best to open a door… or pump gas, or pick up an item in a store.

I don’t know if this is a new normal. I’m guessing that after CoVid ‘goes away’ (whenever that is) and we relax a bit, we will fall back into our old ways. But, for now, wearing a mask is the right thing to do – and it is an expression of caring for another person. A visual sign of love.

Perhaps it should stay as part of our daily living.

But I sure miss seeing a smile.