Covid Chic

“And here are the masks that will run you about $1400,” Bernetha Harris outlined.

The colors and designs delighted the eyes. Chains and strings of pearls and houndstooth ruled the display case. The group moved like cattle through the elegant labyrinth of different N95 painted masks.

“And here is our full suit retailing for eight thousand dollars. It is affixed with diamonds. The gloves, smock and face mask are all sold separately.”

“I have a question,” Nadal Hockins said.

“Yes,” Bernetha replied.

“Why are these prices so exorbitant? People are literally dying over this disease. We must look at the fact that these numbers are too high. Way too high.”

Bernetha didn’t miss a beat. “This is a business, young man. We’re catering to the high-end spender who wants to take pride in their ability to stave off disease.” She pointed at the glass. “All of these pieces represent the COVID chic. We’re reflecting on the idea that you don’t have to skimp on classiness and wealth when trying to stay healthy.”

Nadal looked at Bernetha with a side eye as if he still wasn’t sold. She spoke further.

“What all of these items say is that you wish to bring beauty and grandeur to a virus. In the wake of such death and turmoil, we can bring together all of our minds to create and fashion these wonderful garments and baubles. They speak to the spirit and say that ‘I’m going to live and I’m going to do it with style!”

Nadal was still unsold. Bernetha took out the governor.

“Look, young man, there have been millions of deaths the world over. This is an affront to the statistics. We know that mainly poor people are dying although those with means may contract the disease. Everything you see is a reminder that we will come out of this pandemic not just as survivors but advocates for the freedom to express ourselves. I must emphasize that we’re going to keep fighting until this bug is beat.”

“Will we have to be covered in diamonds and platinum to fight, though?”

“No. At the same time, though, with such material, we are reminded of the mind. How we think up such splendor is a testament to the human mind and how we can make the spiritual tangible. You can buy your masks wholesale. You can get bargain gloves. This is true. Yet we have the chance to open up our wallets and exchange a little bit of extravagance to just feel like you’re flaunting in Death’s face. That you know you’re doing everything you can to save up just to get a mask like that,” Bernetha pointed to the two thousand dollar mask. “All of this represents the might we still have as the sole superpower of the world. If you’ve got the money, honey, you can purchase these merchandise and talk about the ways that we’re still committed to commerce. We’re still committed to the lasting ideal that we have the power to stick with our way of life and protect ourselves. Health is wealth. Well, wealth is health, too. The richer the society, the better we will be adept at trying to advance our stronghold amongst the alive and the living. We bury our dead and we heal the recovering, but in the meantime, we anticipate the future. Like the scourges of the past, we will continue to battle for the best things in life. From Ferraris to caviar to yachts to codices, we should remember the glamor and the glitter against the decay. Do you now understand?”

“Yes,” Nadal said and ran past the crowd and pulled a wad of cash from his pocket and slammed it down on the counter.

“I’ll take two of the Gucci masks.”