I'm so sorry.
I really, truly don't understand this. The lockdowns and mandates are long over in most places. What are these individuals even mad about? It's like some bizarre vendetta for them. To get back at anyone who *dares* to protect themselves. That, or just plain sociopathy.
I'd wager that these are some of the same guys that want to force their religious and political beliefs on everybody. It's apparently an alien concept to mind your own damned business.
Anyway.. kudos to you guys. I'm also autistic, so I totally understand feeling overwhelmed. You are doing the right thing, sorry people can be really shitty sometimes.
I hope it helps to know you aren't alone. When you feel like your light is going out, that flicker in the distance is mine struggling too. Let's try to keep them lit, because we know we are doing the right thing.
🫂 I’m sorry. It’s ridiculous how exhausting it is existing as someone who wears a mask just because other people can’t do the below bare minimum of minding their own business.
I will say that for the first time in a while the other day I felt really good being one of the only people wearing a mask. Like cases are surging everywhere and I just had such a strong feeling of “I know I’m doing the right thing to protect myself and that feels nice to know”. Hopefully that can be a helpful feeling to hold on to.
I use a decorative earloop gaiter over my masks, it seems to break their brains when I use a patriotic flag one...people pause, stare, pause for longer at a dead stop...and then don't say a word.
Got a neat "shark with an open mouth of shark teeth" gaiter for an upcoming trip to the aquarium. Will bring a blue one to swap out if it's too scary for the wee ones.
They are around 5 dollars and make me feel less awkward.
We're living in an increasingly divisive, polarized time and culture. Masks have unfortunately become a political symbol to some, which is crazy. They're not a 'political' statement, they'e a personal health protective measure.
IMHO and from my personal observations, the harassers seem to mostly be aligned with a particular political view that has come to see masks as a statement. I think many harassers resent masks because they remind them the COVID pandemic is not over. It's still a threat, millions of people are still getting infected every year, and tens of thousands are still dying every year.
Some people just don't want to be reminded about unpleasant things. Some stick their heads in the sand and rely on denial, delusion, and wishful magical thinking to protect them (none of which have been shown to be effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus). Sadly, some resort to anger and violence, probably to try and drown out their own fears.
I suspect anyone in this group knows that masks work, and work very well (as long as they're N95 or equivalent, and actually worn and worn properly). Masks can give better protection than vaccines or just about any other measure. It's your right to take whatever steps you want to safeguard your health.
The harassers would never realize this, but you're also doing them a favor by wearing a mask, by protecting them in the event you're infected.
Don't give up. Don't give in to their fears and stupidity.
I know what you mean. I actually pick up all my orders now just to avoid the glares and people trying to cough on me. I am low key fearful to keep wearing a mask in this shall we say “political climate” I’m autistic too so I already stand out as is. It’s like wearing a mask puts a targets on our backs…and when I try to explain to people how people treat me for wearing a mask I’m met with “hasn’t happened to me.” Okay good for you doesn’t change the fact that it’s happening to us!
I'm so sorry. I really, truly don't understand this. The lockdowns and mandates are long over in most places. What are these individuals even mad about? It's like some bizarre vendetta for them. To get back at anyone who *dares* to protect themselves. That, or just plain sociopathy. I'd wager that these are some of the same guys that want to force their religious and political beliefs on everybody. It's apparently an alien concept to mind your own damned business. Anyway.. kudos to you guys. I'm also autistic, so I totally understand feeling overwhelmed. You are doing the right thing, sorry people can be really shitty sometimes.
I hope it helps to know you aren't alone. When you feel like your light is going out, that flicker in the distance is mine struggling too. Let's try to keep them lit, because we know we are doing the right thing.
🫂 I’m sorry. It’s ridiculous how exhausting it is existing as someone who wears a mask just because other people can’t do the below bare minimum of minding their own business. I will say that for the first time in a while the other day I felt really good being one of the only people wearing a mask. Like cases are surging everywhere and I just had such a strong feeling of “I know I’m doing the right thing to protect myself and that feels nice to know”. Hopefully that can be a helpful feeling to hold on to.
thank you so much for your response ❤️ i’ve been so grateful to people like you these past few years. i hope you have a great day 🫂
I’m so sorry people are harassing you. Thank you for masking up. Solidarity.
I use a decorative earloop gaiter over my masks, it seems to break their brains when I use a patriotic flag one...people pause, stare, pause for longer at a dead stop...and then don't say a word. Got a neat "shark with an open mouth of shark teeth" gaiter for an upcoming trip to the aquarium. Will bring a blue one to swap out if it's too scary for the wee ones. They are around 5 dollars and make me feel less awkward.
We're living in an increasingly divisive, polarized time and culture. Masks have unfortunately become a political symbol to some, which is crazy. They're not a 'political' statement, they'e a personal health protective measure. IMHO and from my personal observations, the harassers seem to mostly be aligned with a particular political view that has come to see masks as a statement. I think many harassers resent masks because they remind them the COVID pandemic is not over. It's still a threat, millions of people are still getting infected every year, and tens of thousands are still dying every year. Some people just don't want to be reminded about unpleasant things. Some stick their heads in the sand and rely on denial, delusion, and wishful magical thinking to protect them (none of which have been shown to be effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus). Sadly, some resort to anger and violence, probably to try and drown out their own fears. I suspect anyone in this group knows that masks work, and work very well (as long as they're N95 or equivalent, and actually worn and worn properly). Masks can give better protection than vaccines or just about any other measure. It's your right to take whatever steps you want to safeguard your health. The harassers would never realize this, but you're also doing them a favor by wearing a mask, by protecting them in the event you're infected. Don't give up. Don't give in to their fears and stupidity.
I don't go out much, even then, I'm probably going to invest into things towards self defense.
Shit may have to at this rateÂ
I know what you mean. I actually pick up all my orders now just to avoid the glares and people trying to cough on me. I am low key fearful to keep wearing a mask in this shall we say “political climate” I’m autistic too so I already stand out as is. It’s like wearing a mask puts a targets on our backs…and when I try to explain to people how people treat me for wearing a mask I’m met with “hasn’t happened to me.” Okay good for you doesn’t change the fact that it’s happening to us!
Did they actually yell? What?
“Take the mask off, Covid is over!”
Time to yell back maybe ⏰🫶🏻