Unmasked

Is this week really any different from last?

Not in any real way except that the CDC has awakened to political pressure if not reality.

It was good to see my Catholic church finally do away with its mask mandate even if it did wait for CDC to dictate it. I am more impressed with the Baptist church where my girls participate in AWANA which never paused in its mission throughout the “pandemic,” conducting vacation Bible school when no or very few other area churches were and never requiring masks. This is a church whose children’s and youth programs are run by older ladies too so it is especially significant.

I am troubled by the fact that this test run of government control over churches was such a success, the willingness of the church to bow to government mandate.

I do not think our Founders who were adamant about the freedom to follow our individual conscience when it comes to practicing our faith or Jesus, who reached out and touched very sick people every day and encouraged his disciples to do so too, would approve.

In fact, placing public health and safety above all other values is a very dangerous proposition completely out of line with both our nation’s founding ideas and my Christian faith.

The “pandemic” has prompted people to demand whether people have had the vaccine and postulate that someone might have COVID when they miss an event for illness. All of this borders on HIPAA violation in my humble opinion.

In any event, why is COVID, coronavirus, Wuhan flu, whatever you want to call it, any different than Polio, Whooping Cough, smallpox, flu, typhus, TB, or any number of the diseases that have plagued humanity? What is so different that we must stop the economy, hinder education, violate privacy and mask ourselves? Looking at statistics, I don’t think the numbers of deaths or contagiousness are a very good response. Why should this disease alone warrant a “vaccine passport”?

This level of ridiculousness is astounding. Today, after the CDC decreed we may unmask, I needed to pop into World Market very quickly for a gift bag. Barely anyone was in the store. A young worker gal rushed up to me and asked if I had a mask. I said you know we don’t need to wear them anymore. She said haughtily well you do in this store! I pulled one out and wore it. Checking out, another would be patron entered the store, was beset upon by the same gal & said BS, and left. I informed the clerk that I would resume my shopping when they lifted their mandate. The clerk replied, “we will when it is safe for everyone.” Really? When is Life going to be “safe” for Everyone? That seems rather unrealistic. Should we stop driving in cars because they are a number one killer?

Later I needed to go into our local grocery, Publix, twice (!) and did not wear a mask either time (as has been my regular practice). The employees were friendly and helpful and never demanded a mask. Statistically speaking, you would Think the grocery store where people need to shop sick or healthy would be more adamant than a specialty goods store!

Getting back to the “safe for everyone” comment…this situation has prompted many stupid comments. Amon them: Canadians saying “everyone just needs to stay home until this is over”; a Colorado resident stating that it was no big deal that restaurants has gone out of business because, like the stock market’s ups and downs, others would reopen; and I’m sure without much pressing we could think of numerous others…

Being lectured from the pulpit on Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday were the worst. So it was really great to be back to “normal” today, some devout parishioners even accepting the Eucharist on their tongue in the traditional manner of their youth. And singing. I missed the singing! Along with the faces.

Let freedom ring!🇺🇸