There’s a strange power in a piece of cloth—or, in my case, a paper-thin surgical mask. It’s small, light, unassuming, and yet it has the ability to draw sharp stares, knowing smirks, and, yes, even the occasional rude comment. Every time I leave my house wearing one, I feel the weight of judgment from others, as though I’m making some loud, unspoken statement.
But the truth is, my mask is not a declaration of defiance, nor a sign that I’m out of touch with the world. It’s simply a personal choice rooted in reasons that are as varied and complex as the lives we all lead.
Masks: A Symbol of Judgment
Since the early days of the pandemic, masks have gone from a tool of protection to a lightning rod for division. For some, they’re a relic of a time most people are eager to move on from. For others, like me, they remain a quiet safeguard—against illness, uncertainty, or even the vulnerability of personal health concerns.
I’ll admit, I’ve gotten used to the side-eyes and the subtle scoffs. Sometimes, I hear whispers as I pass people in the grocery store, snippets like, “Is she really still wearing that?” Or worse, the outright comments: “You know you don’t have to wear that anymore, right?”
And yet, here I am, still wearing it. Not because I enjoy it. Not because I’m trying to make a point. Simply because it feels like the right decision for me.
A Hundred Reasons to Mask Up
What many people don’t realize is that there are countless reasons someone might still choose to wear a mask. Perhaps I have a chronic condition that makes catching a respiratory illness dangerous. Maybe I’m recovering from surgery or undergoing treatments that weaken my immune system. Maybe I’m protecting an elderly parent or a grandchild with asthma. Or maybe, like so many of us, I’m just trying to avoid getting sick and being sidelined from life for a week or two.
And sometimes, it’s not about health at all. For some, masks have become a source of comfort—a way to navigate the world with a bit of privacy in an age of constant visibility. For others, it’s a habit, one that lingers not out of fear but out of caution.
We never truly know what someone else is going through. And yet, our first reaction so often is to assume, to judge, to ridicule.
Empathy Over Assumptions
What surprises me most about the ridicule I face isn’t the actual act of judgment—it’s how quickly people seem to forget the lessons of the past few years. The pandemic taught us to be mindful of one another, to think beyond ourselves, to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.
And yet, that lesson seems to have faded for so many. Wearing a mask doesn’t make me weak, or afraid, or paranoid. It simply means I’m making a choice that works for me.
If we could shift our perspective just a little, imagine what it would look like to replace assumptions with empathy. Instead of questioning why someone is wearing a mask, consider this: What if they’re recovering from an illness and trying to avoid reinfection? What if they’re a caregiver, protecting a loved one at home? Or what if they’ve just decided that wearing a mask in crowded spaces is a small price to pay for peace of mind?
Moving Forward With Grace
As we head into the future, I hope we can embrace a bit more kindness. We don’t have to agree with each other’s choices, but we can certainly respect them. For me, wearing a mask isn’t about being stuck in the past or refusing to move forward—it’s about making a thoughtful decision for myself and those I care about.
So, the next time you see someone like me in the grocery store or walking down the street, mask in place, I hope you’ll think twice before making a snap judgment. I hope you’ll pause and consider the hundred reasons why someone might still choose to wear one.
Because at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to do our best in a world that’s constantly changing. My mask might not make sense to you, but it makes sense to me—and that’s reason enough.
Here’s to a great year ahead.
Francesca Moore
Contributing Writer
fmoore@seniormania.com
1 comment
You can do whatever you want with masks, but your reasons for why a person might wear one are invalid and unscientific. Masks do not work— they cannot keep you from getting sick; they can’t prevent you from spreading sickness. You are not protecting loved ones. Yes, they can keep you from being recognized in public. Viruses can go right through the masks — they are 100s of times smaller than the space between the fibers of the cloth the mask is made of. These are scientific facts, with many scientific studies showing these facts. I could go on, with the facts of how masks can actually make the wearer sick, and how they can actually spread disease, & a host of other issues with masks. If you want to know more of the facts, there are many, many articles, by real scientists, written during & after the COVID era, showing these facts, & more. If you are interested in the truth