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Opinion

Fudala: Who is that masked woman? Me!

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Call me crazy, but I actually enjoy wearing a mask.

Although I regret the reason that we need to wear masks — to prevent the spread of COVID-19 around the globe — there are positive aspects to mask-wearing for this Scottsdale resident.

That’s why I’m upset at the recent ruling by the Scottsdale City Council to prematurely rescind the wear-a-mask mandate. Please, listen to the medical and business professionals, who want to continue to protect our population and economy from the pandemic!

So let me count the ways I like wearing a mask:

1. I’m doing the right thing by protecting others from something I don’t know if I have or will have. If that’s a political statement, I’m proud of it!

2. It feels good to be in concert with millions around the world, showing and sharing our commonsense approach to virus protection.

3. Wearing a mask gives me confidence to safely leave my “bubble” and interact with others, whether friends, colleagues or strangers…but only if they’re wearing a mask, too.

4. Wearing a mask, as other do, I feel okay having people work in my house or on my car, or serve me at restaurants, libraries, post office, grocery store, salons, retail stores, etc.

5. As a person with seasonal allergies, I’ve always wanted to wear a mask when pollen is at its height, but I didn’t want to stand out “way back then” (before COVID) as the only one wearing a mouth/nose covering when I walked, hiked or ate at an outside restaurant. Now I can, and my allergies haven’t been as bad.

6. I now have an affordable fashion statement, and have masks with cacti, Ohio State logos, beach scenes, palm fronds and other decorations that express my personality. It’s fun to see the masks that others wear, in person and on TV. In a time of COVID-cancellations, it’s a new form of entertainment — mask-watching!

7. I’m amazed to see how many “cottage industries” have cropped up to make masks, as donations to first responders or people in need, or as a way to make money during times of layoffs, furloughs and tight financial times.

8. My mask covers my laugh lines and wrinkles.

9. I’m saving money on lipstick and breath mints.

10. It’s great to look someone in the eyes, now that our “peepers” are the main form of emotional expression.

11. Zoom calls are more enticing, as I can see people unmasked, but safe in their own homes/offices as I am in mine.

12. Who knew that masks would become such a political hot potato (and a way to express our views).

13. Never though sharing mask anecdotes, mask fashion tips, etc. would become a major topic of conversation. Wow!

14. As an historian, I’m trying to accumulate as many articles, photos, ads, etc. — locally and globally — about masks, and people doing every-day things wearing masks.

Please, Scottsdale City Council, reconsider the mask mandate. I wish everyone would wear one of their own accord…but many won’t.

So — like seatbelts and other safety laws — let’s enact an open-ended wear-a-mask ordinance in Scottsdale, immediately, before the predicted fall surge of COVID and the flu hits. Our lives may depend on it.

Editor’s Note: Joan Fudala is a resident of Scottsdale, author and community historian.