I’m sure many of you have heard by now that a federal judge (who, by the way, is only two years older than me and a couple months older than my older sister) has struck down the federal mask mandate that had been imposed on forms of public transportation since last year where we had to wear masks to curb the spread of COVID-19.
This means that people can now have the option of wearing a mask if they feel it’s comfortable to them, including those with physical or hidden disabilities.
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As I have always stated in the past that wearing a mask or face covering is no different than wearing your underwear, but there are some people that have been taking their frustrations on flight attendants and other airline passengers and as a frequent flyer, it greatly bothered me and made me wonder if I was ever going to be in a situation where someone would go ape on a plane that I am on because of this mandate.
Fortunately, I have not had the opportunity to witness such an event and I hope it stays that way.
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As a neurodiverse flyer who travels as part of my business, I feel that masks have proven to keep me healthy and safe because it isn’t just covid that masks protect me from. Who would want someone breathing on me or even coughing their common cold germs on me and I end up getting their illness that isn’t even COVID to begin with?
Case in point?
My dad recently caught a really bad illness after coming back from the Masters in Augusta, GA nearly two weeks ago. He tested for COVID and was found to be negative. However, this to me was a sign that I had to think to myself, what if I ended up in a situation like him and it would interfere with the operations of “Going the Distance”? What if something were to happen to me that would incapacitate me from doing what I do?
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In a way, now that the mask mandate has become the mask optional, I now view wearing a mask as like wearing a sunflower lanyard (to which I have already ordered and will begin wearing upon its arrival) because people with hidden or physical disabilities are still going to be vulnerable to illnesses like COVID.
My biggest fear, however, is if a disabled individual will be ridiculed or called for wearing a mask by someone who is not and is thrusted into a situation where they cannot stand up for themselves. It could be me or it could even be one of my colleagues in the field that are harassed for wearing a mask.
This is why we need to spread awareness and acceptance to the fact that wearing a mask is like a personal boundary that cannot be crossed. If someone chooses to wear a mask, then we have to protect those who choose to do so by teaching the fact that wearing a mask on public transportation is essential for some people, especially for those who are disabled and have other chronic health conditions.
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Catch you all later!!
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