My Life Dealing With COVID-19 And My Thoughts on Wearing a Mask

First let me say no, I don’t have the coronavirus. But my life is more affected by this virus than many others’ may be.

If you don’t already know, I have a daughter who had open heart surgery when she was 4 months old. As a matter of fact 4 years ago on June 30th 2020 (way to go Willow!).

For the most part, she is doing great now, with the help of her feeding tube and all of her specialists. That being said, she still has a compromised immune system. So when you hear people talking about the kind of people that fall in the high risk category for this virus that is Willow and then some.

See Willow’s journey has never been an easy one. Although her heart is strong, something as small as a common cold can really mess her up. She once spent 2 weeks in the hospital for the common cold. And not just a stay. It was pretty bad at times.

So, when this virus hit and we met with her doctors (who have zero agenda other than the health and safety of my daughter) they told us with these exact word “Willow CAN NOT get this virus”. So I have to do everything in my power to make sure that doesn’t happen because if it does I could lose her forever. I don’t have the luxury of debating whether it’s a hoax or to debate about numbers or the threat of it. Because in my world, the threat is very real.

Willow doesn’t care about your freedoms. Willow doesn’t care about the inconvenience of it all. Willow doesn’t care if you’re on the left or the right.

Willow cares about her new puppy. Willow cares about splashing in puddles when it rains. Willow cares about making it to her next birthday.

So what I am about to say may offend some of you. Please know that I don’t really care. Willow is my priority, not your feelings.

Wear a mask. Seriously. Put the damn thing on when you are out in public places with other people who have no choice but to be there. I’m not talking about restaurants and bars and optional places – though you should wear your mask as often as possible out of courtesy for the workers at those places – I’m talking about stores, or the DMV, or a pharmacy, or any place that a person, such as myself, has no choice but to go into.

Put it on. Suck it up for 10 minutes. Don’t come at me about how uncomfortable it is. I have a big ass face full of beard. Masks suck! I get it. But put it on anyhow.

I’m not a doctor, but I know if 2 people are wearing a mask and one has the virus, it’s less likely the other person will get it if they BOTH are wearing masks.

Does that cover us 100%? No. I get that too. But I’ll take 80% or 60% or anything that lessens the risk to my daughter.

You’re not doing it for you. Or for me. You’re doing it for kids like her. For my coworker’s husband that had the same surgery and has the same risks. For him.

Isn’t that what we all preach? Being in it together?

Well, now it the time to step up. Set your “freedom” aside for someone else who could suffer. Don’t do it because I’m telling you to. Don’t do it because the Mayor or almost every health care professional told you to. Do it because it’s the right thing to do. Do it to protect others.

Do it for Willow.

My wife said it best this weekend. She asked if “A year ago, I think if we posted a poll that asked people if they’d be willing to do something as simple as wearing a mask to slow the spread of a global pandemic, I think the answers would be a resounding yes”. But somehow today that has changed.

This weekend we were driving and saw this guy on the side of the road.

People like him scare me. It keeps me awake at night thinking about it. Sure, he thinks its a hoax. Sure, he’s young and doesn’t care about the “what if’s” and that’s great for him. But what happens when he runs up on me to talk or say hi or gets to close? Or he contracts it and then coughs everywhere without wearing a mask and then somehow I get it? Does he pay the ultimate price?

Probably not. Chances are, he will be fine. And so might you: the reader.

But Willow will not be fine. Willow may not even survive. That’s my reality.

So screw your pride, screw your ego, or your freedom or whatever else is holding you up. Please CHOOSE to put the mask on. Not because it’s mandated but because it’s the right thing to do.

If you choose not to, please stay the hell away from me without a mask because I want to see my daughter graduate, get married, join the military, become and activist or whatever else she chooses to do.

My family didn’t go through all of this just to lose our daughter because you don’t want to wear a mask. Please think about then when deciding what you want to do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw3pQTLydzI