This editor is going to kick off this post on a personal note. My wife was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease over a decade ago, so I get it when people argue that we need to wear masks around the immunocompromised. But she went to Whole Foods today to pick up Easter dinner and found out she was the only one in the store not wearing a mask — it never occurred to her to put one on. Was it mandated? No, it’s just that people who shop at Whole Foods are serious about masks. She went about her business without one, as she always does.
Still, thanks to the New York Times, we know that “the vulnerable” feel pain to be confronted with the naked faces of people celebrating “their returning freedoms.” Even when it’s their friends and neighbors, it’s callous and even scornful (or it’s all in their heads).
“It is so painful to be confronted daily with the callousness and even scorn of our friends and neighbors as they celebrate their returning freedoms in front of our masked faces.” #NYTLetters https://t.co/g1C6xHiy4a
— New York Times Opinion (@nytopinion) April 15, 2022
(I just read that to my wife and now she’s posting a reply with lots of explatives.)
My freedom never ended. I was doing the same thing in March 2020 as I do right now. I never paused my life.
— Drake Thomas (@DrakeThomasAL) April 16, 2022
The simple fact is the matter is that these “vulnerable persons” would be vulnerable even if COVID were not in the mix. The flu and other airborne diseases present constant threats. Somehow we’ve learned to balance the legitimate concerns of these individuals with societal needs.
— gwhizkids (@gwhizkids) April 15, 2022
Simply remove the mask
— Sean (@sus_step_bro) April 16, 2022
"How dare you celebrate freedom! You need to be as miserable as me!"
— The Deplorable Basket Show (@DepBasket) April 16, 2022
Are you going to be okay?
— Evan (@EvanRVice) April 15, 2022
Most likely, yes.
Rational people are not going to engage in meaningless symbolism.
— River (@JulietRedbird) April 15, 2022
Uh ✍️ oh ✍️
How to interact with a blue check that still wears a mask AND is on the list pic.twitter.com/8XdnDUijHX
— The List (@ListComesForAll) April 16, 2022
Cry harder and seek therapy.
— Nick Pappagiorgio (@fiveonesix4life) April 16, 2022
Their “returning freedoms” never left. Americans were too weak to own them. Those confronted in their masks can kiss my ass if they’re offended. And yes, we ignore the mentally vulnerable because Americans should never have given up our freedoms. People are waking up to DC.
— Werdy Werd (@werd_werdy) April 16, 2022
Mass hypochondriac hysteria masked as empathy.
— Rembrandt van Rijn (@RembrandtvanRi9) April 15, 2022
Dear diary
— MrSelfDestruct788 (@destruct788) April 16, 2022
People have said they might never stop wearing the mask, which is fine, but don’t see “scorn” everywhere you look because other people have taken them off. We’re old enough to remember the videos of the unmasked being chased out of grocery stores by the masked mob. We’re not going back to that.
Related:
Be advised: Alleged SNL writer warns that 'if I see you walking on the sidewalk without a mask, I WILL b*tchslap you' https://t.co/FN8Ss98nWP
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) April 13, 2022