To wear or not to wear a mask, that is the question during COVID-19 | Opinion

As the love bugs drifted in the air during a recent walk along Sarasota bayfront, my husband mentioned there was a storm in the works south of Florida. That is typical spring Florida chatter, except we were sporting face masks as if we were surgeons heading into the OR. The masks recommended for our journey into this health hurricane called COVID-19

COVID-19, however, unlike our typical tropical hurricanes, is astronomically more terrifying and devious. No one is safe, and there are no weather predictors guiding us hour by hour when on its course. Or shelters to escape to.

The big event of this day under consideration was going out to lunch. For the past few weeks, about once a week, we ordered take out from local restaurants, savoring every bite as we delighted in relief from preparing, cooking and cleaning up.

One week it was my favorite, Alice Springs Chicken, from Outback, then the Italian sandwich (a Sarasota legend for decades) from the Main Bar Sandwich Shop in Sarasota. We enjoyed salmon from Lakewood Ranch’s Grove and this week, we took a plunge and ate inside The Old Salty Dog, overlooking Sarasota Bay.

My husband, who traditionally is the least germaphobic person in the world, is passionate about his face mask. He is 80 with a history of sensitive lungs and considers his face mask a necessary accessory. As all the health officials admonish.

I, however, have always been a health care geek, reading the gamut of health stories ranging from aging gracefully to the health value of kombucha. Recently, I was fascinated about the scientific explanation of how COVID trashes our bodies.

The COVID virus affects the lungs, causing the tiny microscopic sacs called alveoli to fill with a gummy yellow fluid preventing the free flow of oxygen. Think of the honey at the bottom of a well used jar.

Basically, the body is starving for oxygen. That why the ventilators are life-saving.

And, it explains why folks whose lungs are weakened by decades of bronchitis or smoking might not make it.

So, no wonder my husband is apprehensive.

During our stroll, as we encountered several walkers without masks, we wondered

If they were enlisted in the viral battle or were they oblivious? We were outside with a strong breeze, which provided some comfort. But, we puzzled, “Why haven’t the fellow walkers internalized the message about wearing face masks when out?”

Inside on the outdoor patio, I emphasize, next to the water’s edge overlooking four bands of water with stunning shades of azure and turquoise.

“This is paradise,” is my reaction after living in this area since 1973. I still marvel at our enveloping beauty as I chastise myself for not getting out and enjoying it more.

The servers wearing masks stood a good distance from our table as they jotted our orders. I did not have a tape measure, but it appeared to be a comfortable distance from our table. And, the tables appeared spaced apart six feet or more.

The server pointed out the utensils, plates, cups were disposable. I overheard a fellow diner request a Margarita, and the server explained they could prepare the tequila beverage, but could not use the typical Margarita glass. He was fine and accepted the disposable glass.

I am embarrassed to admit we both ordered the deep-fried-foot-long hot dog. The server inquired how many tiny cups of condiments we required. No bottles of ketchup, mustard or relish on this table.

The hot dog, a first for me, was fabulous and something I recommend. Kind of like food at the county fair. Throw diet caution to the wind and consider it part of the experience.

As we left, we sanitized our hands and I noticed my husband did not touch the arms of the chair as he rose from the table.

A real treat to get out, but not going to be a habit for a while.

My overriding concern is the need for testing the folks walking around with no symptoms who have been exposed to the COVID patient. It is NOT simply testing those who think they might have the virus.

Which means the labor intensive process of interviewing the COVID patient asking for a list of his/her encounters for the past five or six days. Think of all those interviews!

That is a big mountain to climb, but I think if we Americans stick together and commit to beating this, we can do it. We have to for our country to survive, I think.

JoAnne Klement of Bradenton is a retired journalist certified public relations professional.

This story was originally published June 10, 2020 at 5:00 AM.