the other day i went into a local pizza shop to pick up a pizza i had ordered. as i walked along the side of the shop to the entrance, i noticed several signs posted that said masks were required inside the building. at the door, the same sign was posted, and just inside the door was a large chalkboard with "masks required" written on it in large letters. as i waited at the counter, another customer came in without a mask on. i pointed to the sign, and she smiled back at me, obviously not intending to return to her car and put on a mask. i pointed to the sign once more and got the same reaction.
as i left the shop with my pizza, a group of older folks were getting out of their car. noticing the sign, one of them asked, "do you really have to wear a mask inside?" i pointed to one of the signs, and said, "that's what the sign says." one of the women in the group turned to the driver of the car and asked him to retrieve their masks, while she and the rest of the group proceeded to the door. the driver followed behind with several masks in his hand, but none of them stopped to put the masks on. as i got in my car, i wondered if they ever donned their masks.
i don't understand the attitudes of people who refuse to wear masks in public. do they believe that the masks are of no use in spreading the virus? do they have no regard for those around them? do they think that the reports about the virus and its ease of transmission are "fake news?" are they making a political statement in support of a president who ignores the advice of health experts, encourages risky behavior on the part of the population by presiding over large gatherings that make social distancing impossible, and refuses to wear a mask himself? maybe all of these reasons apply.
as i meditated this morning, i repeated the phrase, "may i be filled with lovingkindness and compassion, may i be well." as the words went through my mind, i thought of the unmasked woman in the pizza place, and the group of older people who entered without wearing their masks. a sense of lovingkindness and compassion for those who worked in the restaurant would compel its patrons to wear masks. if we wish to be well and to help others to be well, then we will wear a mask when we are among others outside our own homes. our own health and the health of others are inextricably wed. wearing a mask is a simple way of protecting one another as virus infections increase in so many places.
may we all be filled with lovingkindness and compassion so that we may be well. may we tolerate some inconvenience and discomfort if, in doing so, we can make life better for others. may our interconnectedness lead us to see that we must not think only of ourselves, that indeed we are all part of one great Self. shalom.
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