that little voice

Masks. They protect us and isolate us.

Not certain whether you folks in Fayette County are wearing masks, but here in Mexico we have not reached our projected peak for COVID-19, and probably won’t for another 60+ days. Meaning we are urged and sometimes mandated to wear a mask whenever we go out of our houses.

The masks don’t bother me, except I’ve noticed conversations and even greetings are minimized when meeting friends or saying “hola” to a passerby.

There is something about not seeing someone’s full face that dampens our willingness to interact verbally and visually.

We don’t make eye contact as readily. It’s as though we are more afraid of anyone when we can’t see their expressions.

I am a smiler, so it is common for me to give a greeting with a smile on my face. But with a mask on no one can tell if I’m frowning, crying, laughing, grinning, pouting or doing none of the above. That stops them from getting a clue about how they react to you. Meanwhile, I’m walking along beaming a welcoming “hola” filling my mouth with cloth and fogging up my glasses.

They see a pink-haired someone, age unknown, motive unknown, mood unknown, friend or foe unknown. If possible, they scurry across the street, cast their eyes downward, and don’t mutter anything … or anything I understand.

Even acquaintances are hesitant to interact since they don’t know who I am, if by chance, I have a hat on my head hiding my rosy crown.

I’ve decided to order a couple of masks from some friends who are making and donating them to anyone wanting one or two. On one mask I would have a big smirky grin, and the other one a frown that would scare any five-year-old.

Now that I think about it, I need one with a waving hand indicating my pleasantness and one that has a clenched fist prominently displayed, warning the world I’m not in the mood for anything.

There are solutions to face hiding, I just need to give it a bit more thought.

Take care, wash your hands, stay safe and wear a mask with a message to those you meet, warning them of your temperament that day.