The Perks of Covid-19

In 2018 there was no Corona Virus. I did not have to wear a mask or keep my distance. I was miserable in 2018 for many other reasons. At the beginning of 2019 there was no Corona Virus. I still did not have to wear a mask or keep my distance. I still wasn't having a great time in 2019.

The year was 2020 and Corona Virus was upon us. The news on tv was filled with stories of thousands and thousands of deaths by this terrible illness. It was so severe and serious that rules were implemented to protect the masses. Rules which included wearing a mask and staying at least 6 feet away from other people when venturing out into civilization.

At first I thought it was silly or nonsense, but I abided by the rules because I don't like to cause trouble or get into trouble. I didn't have a car, so I generally had to walk a long distance to get to the supermarket or even a little convenience store. I walked often because I smoke cigarettes and I don't like to run out of them. There were many times I'd be half way to the store and I'd realize that I had forgotten to bring my mask. Sometimes I'd get lucky and find one thrown on the ground. I'd pick it up, put it on my face, go to the store, purchase whatever I came for, and walk home not wearing the mask. Sometimes I could not find a mask when I'd forgotten my own and I'd go to a trash bin, rip off a piece of plastic from the trash bag and make my own mask. It was easier than having to walk all the way back home and walk back to the store. As long as I was wearing a mask, I didn't have any trouble. I got my stuff and the day progressed as usual.

Twice I had some trouble regarding the mask. Once I was at a Circle K and I was having a rough morning. I was already having a Bipolar episode and made a huge mess in my room looking for cigarettes and coffee creamer which I couldn't find. I was jonesing for a cigarette, grumpy about waking up early and not getting enough sleep, paranoid about not knowing what happened to my coffee creamer, and just not a happy camper. I walked quickly to the store to get a pack of cigarettes hoping to calm down. Once in the store, the cashier started reprimanding me for not wearing the mask over my nose. I was already distraught. All I wanted to do was get some milk and cigarettes and get the hell out of the store, go home and clean my room. I got aggravated about hearing her yelp at me. So I put the mask over my eyes and said, "I can't see. Where's the milk? I need cigarettes." I suppose I was acting like a clown to see what her compassion level was. It was a foolish thing to do. Instead of getting me milk and cigarettes, she called the cops. I had to go to the hospital for a month for that stunt.

I suppose it was just really hard to take the mask-wearing thing seriously after I'd seen tons of people on the beach all summer not wearing a mask. I'd seen tons of people riding bikes and walking around our town not wearing a mask. Even today, as talk of the "cure" is on the news, I still see lots of people going to the store and restaurants not wearing a mask. At this point, I really don't care. I have asthma and the mask makes it harder for me to breathe, but when I was on the airplane coming from New Jersey to Florida, I wore my mask and didn't say a word about it. I will do it again when I have to get on the airplane to leave. It's not that serious. I don't really like or agree with the mask rule, but whatever. I'd rather follow a stupid rule than have to stay in the hospital getting needles and drugs for a month.

The rule that I do like that Corona Virus has inspired is the 6-foot apart rule. To me that's a perk. I've been waiting my whole life for a rule like that. When I saw the stickers on the floor in the stores and restaurants I was like "Hallelujah! It's about time!" I have hated for my whole life how close some people like to get when I'm out and about in public. It's always gotten on my nerves. People like me have tried to express it telling others about personal space and how cramping someone's space is like a threat. Still there were so many people who simply didn't understand and were constantly stepping over the line and invading. This 6-foot rule is a Godsend. It was made for me and I hope it never goes away. I have so many memories of shopping cart rage in the supermarket and Walmart. So many times when I was considerate of others, but did not get the same consideration back. So many times I moved out of the way, wondering and waiting when do THEY ever have to move for ME? The 6-foot rule protects me and the meek. We love it. We say, "Stay away from us" and now there is a rule to help us. Get too close and I can cite Corona Virus regulations and the law is on my side. Hurray! The perk of Corona Virus.

There are other perks to Corona Virus also, especially for people who became homeless or jobless. Maybe they didn't have enough from unemployment to pay their mortgage or rent. C-19 may have caused their downfall, but it also provides rental assistance, additional food stamp benefits, and even some healthcare options that weren't available previously.

I don't know how long C-19 is going to last. I don't know how long America will have to wear masks and stay 6-feet apart. All I know is that some rules are stupid and some rules are helpful. It's the same way about laws. It always has been. I don't know if the mask really protects us or not. I don't like the mask, but if it makes others feel more comfortable, it's not a big deal. And if C-19 is going to make us homeless and jobless, then at least we have the perk or benefit of rental assistance and free food.