photo by engin akyurt

When you see me wearing a mask when I’m out in public, or at the supermarkets, or working, or going to the doctors I want you to know that...

• I'm educated enough to know that I could be asymptomatic and still give you the virus.
  
  
• No, I don't "live in fear" of the virus; I just want to be part of the solution, not the problem.
  
  
• I don't feel like the "government controls me". I feel like I'm an adult contributing to safety in our society and I want to reach out to others to do the same.
  
  
• If we all live with the consideration of others in mind, the whole world would be a much better place don’t you think?
  
  
• Wearing a mask doesn't make me weak, scared, stupid or even "controlled". It makes me kind and caring.
  
  
• When you think about your appearance, discomfort, or other people's opinion of you, imagine a loved one - someone’s child or your child, your dad , your mum, a grandparent, an aunt, an uncle or even a stranger, someone you don’t know but who, like you, is loved. Now imagine them placed on a ventilator, alone without you or any family member who is allowed at their bedside. Sick, afraid, alone.
  
  
• Ask yourself if you could have helped them a little while wearing a mask?
  
  

If we can be anything during this pandemic, let’s choose to be kind, thoughtful, mask wearing people!
Nancie Barnett