SPECIAL ISSUE #8
TO MASK OR NOT TO MASK 😷
These special issues seem to become a regular!
It is hard to believe but true... The unimaginable has happened in Germany. Since Sunday 3 April, the mandatory wearing of masks has largely been abolished (probably only until autumn). Even though the joy will certainly not last, I am incredibly happy that we are finally rid of this disgusting rag on our faces - or not?
To mask or not to mask, that is the question…
At the end of last week, when I was happy about the discontinuation of masks in my gym, I got strange looks. I asked the owner about it and she was visibly uncomfortable. She told me that all trainers would continue to wear masks (supposedly voluntarily) and that she always had masks that she would give out for free. They were not the FFP2 masks but the light surgical masks (as if that were better). Now I was irritated and asked her if she would continue to insist on masks. She was again visibly uncomfortable, but she said it was of course voluntary, but since there are also some older people training, they should be taken into consideration. And if another member was uncomfortable if I didn't wear a mask, I could get one from her.
My only reaction was: NO!
Why should I wear a mask because someone else feels uncomfortable? It should be enough if they wear a nappy and I am not that bad a sight even at the gym…
I am traveling all over Germany this week - deliberately avoiding Hamburg and Mecklenburg Vorpommern, because these federal states have exercised their right to declare themselves a so-called hot spots in order to extend the moronic COVID measures by another two weeks. I think too few people still realise that these measures do nothing but unbelievable damage. But I digress. So I've been on the road since yesterday and have had the most abstruse experiences - apart from an almost accident with a truck that left me in shock, nauseous, and shaking for a few hours.
I make regular stops to rest, get something to eat and drink and of course petrol (feels like pouring champagne into your car). I never got used to the masks and never will. So for me it is completely normal to walk into shops, restaurants or petrol stations showing my face and my smile. I made a bet with a friend that more than 80% will still wear the nappy - voluntarily. He bet against me, sure people would embrace that little bit of „freedom“ (even calling it freedom seems completely absurd to me). We were both wrong but I was closer, definitely giving people too much credit.
I am still an exception as almost everyone is still wearing a mask - and I am flabbergasted. So far no one has said anything to me but I see the looks of disdain to which I react with my most beautiful smile - which apparently seems to be either scary or disarming.
I also had a lovely encounter with a woman that was thrilled to see someone else dare to step into a café unmasked. She was holding a mask in her hands though. When I told her that I don't even have one with me she was surprised.
She told me that some shops exercise their right to maintain the mask requirement. I explained to her that this is of course their right and I exercise my right to spend my money elsewhere.
In many shops and restaurants the staff are still forced to wear masks and in one pub I walked out backwards because the staff's masks looked as if they had been wearing them not for days but for months. Disgusting!
Die I am truly afraid that a great part of mankind is lost! But perhaps if they see that people without fear are happier they might follow eventually… I dare to hope…
🎶My Song of the Day
The question that I hope will be answered soon…
For more good music, go to this Spotify playlist where you can find all the songs from the Change & Evolve Letters!
📚My Poem of the Day
Is not a poem but a traditional and beautiful Irish blessing.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
👀Impressions
Admittedly this is a few years old but unmasked and with a big smile…
Wishing you a wonderful evening and show everyone your smile!
Yours
Tanja 🤗
We had my niece and boyfriend over for two weeks. They just started studying in Hamburg (we live in London). I was very happy that they were decidedly NOT uncomfortable ditching their masks.