I used to think it quite odd to see people wearing surgical masks in public in the days before the pandemic. I wondered what they were afraid of, and would feel quite smug that I wasn’t so paranoid as they seemed to be. It’s now obvious that they were just ahead of the curve.
The mask has now become commonplace and frequently mandated. Where I used to pat my pockets to make sure I had my wallet and phone before I left the house, I now make sure I have a mask as well in case I have to enter a shop. A mask can be a nuisance (especially if you’re wearing glasses), a fashion item, and all to frequently a carelessly discarded piece of litter. But however you look at them, I think they’re here for a long time to come.
