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Take care of yourself and each other

It turns out, I was also mad at me.
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Take care of yourself and each other

Assume anyone you come across in public could have THE virus and not know it.

You should also assume you have it too and can pass it on to others. In the absence of masks, cover up with a scarf or bandanna.

That is, if you are taking care of others.

I realized yesterday that I wasn’t taking care of myself. I felt safe walking my neighbourhood trail. I really wasn’t. A gentleman decided to blow out smoke and cough just as he passed me. You know the sound of phlegm rattling in the throat? I heard that loud and clear. I was angry at this dude. In fact, I turned around twice to confront him, but refrained.

It got me thinking: Where did that anger come from?

It turns out, I was also mad at me. I had a scarf around my neck, but felt embarrassed to use it.

I admit to having “experimented”. I covered my nose and mouth once while grocery shopping. It felt weird and uncomfortable, as though I was the odd one in a building full of “normies”. I felt awkward and impolite, distrusting of my fellow humans. I wondered what they thought of me. That’s how I felt on the trail. To my peril.

To be fair to the guy who crossed into my safe distancing zone, I will say: I too thought being outdoors was a safe place, that I could let my guard down in nature. I saw myself in him — his need to get outside, to move, to see others, to be normal. Dude, you did not look well. When I turned to say something, you were slightly hunched over, trying to catch your breath. The reason for your cough might not be COVID-19. Perhaps emphysema? Doesn’t matter. I just hope you feel better soon.

See? I could actually wear a mask (or scarf, or bandanna) and still be polite. Contrary to what you might have thought, good guys wear masks too. Be good to each other. Take care.

Cheryl Trudell

Cowichan