She’s why I’m wearing a mask. I hope you do, too.

Posted on July 11, 2020July 11, 2020 by Matt Todd

This post about wearing a face mask contains affiliate links. That means I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on the appropriate links. You can learn more in my Disclosure Policy. As always, thank you for your support.

The Age of COVID has brought out the best of people. It’s also brought out the worst. It’s put our American Rugged Individualism on display for the world to see. If we’re honest? It really hasn’t been that pretty. I know a lot of people still aren’t taking this pandemic seriously, but our family is. We make sure to wear a mask when we’re out in public. We practice social distancing. We’ve had to limit contact with other friends and family. I’m sure some people think we go overboard at times.

But let me tell you why.

You know our youngest daughter, Mihret. Right? If, for some reason, you don’t know her, allow me to introduce you to her really quick:

Mihret is a determined girl. She’s smart. She’s funny. And she loves life like no one else I’ve ever seen. Seriously. She just oozes joy.

She’s also a higher risk for severe COVID-19 related illness.

Children who are medically complex, who have neurologic, genetic, metabolic conditions, or who have congenital heart disease are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 than other children.
CDC

So I wear my mask when I go out in public to help minimize my exposure to this stupid virus.* Because that, in turn, helps minimize Mihret’s exposure to this stupid virus. I’ve talked pretty openly about Mihret’s neurological condition in the past. It’s been under control for quite a while. None of us want to have to experience that again.

Ever.

I'm wearing a mask. I hope you are, too.

Even if COVID-19 didn’t kill her, it would cause some major complications. And I’m not OK with that. Because we can minimize this risk.

But here’s the deal, and it really concerns me because we don’t really have that great of a track record when it comes to looking out for each other and helping each other out (that whole Rugged Individualism American Ideal rearing its head again)…our family cannot do this alone.

Mihret needs for you to wear a mask. Please.

I know they’re uncomfortable. I know they aren’t any fun. They’re certainly an inconvenience. They fog up your glasses. It can be a challenge to breathe sometimes. And when you burp? Yeah. It’s gross.

But my mask isn’t going to be as effective as I’d like unless you wear a mask, too. That’s how this thing works. And so we need to agree to work together on this, if only for a little while.

So please wear a mask to help protect Mihret. And I’ll wear a mask to help protect other vulnerable members of our community. Let’s mask up together. Please.

Can we keep this in perspective, please? Previous generations had to make significant sacrifices in order for this country to survive. The inconvenience of wearing a mask is just that – an inconvenience. It pales in comparison to the level of sacrifice previous generations were asked to endure.

We can do this, friends!

Don’t have a mask? Here’s where you can get one.

If you live in Indianapolis, the city will give you one for free. That’s right. Zero cost. Just go here to request one. Here’s some other places to get face coverings in central Indiana:

ZIPS Dry Cleaners of Central Indiana has pivoted their business and makes face masks to help keep the community and keep their team employed. Check them out at HoosierFaceMasks.com.
Do317.com has put together a list of where you can buy masks in central Indiana.
IndyMaven.com also has a list of 10 Indianapolis businesses selling cool face masks.

If you live outside central Indiana, I encourage you to buy local. If you’re not sure where to look, I’d start at Etsy.

I have an affiliate relationship with two companies that are selling masks. If you aren’t going to buy local, please consider buying from one of these merchants:

When you buy a mask from TeePublic.com, you help an independent artist, PLUS, for every non-medical mask they sell, they’ll donate a medical-grade mask to DonateRelief. I’ve put together an album of some of my favorite reusable face coverings available at TeePublic on my Facebook page. This one’s probably my favorite, though:

I’m also a partner with Fanatics.com. They have all kinds of sports-themed face coverings, including official NBA, NFL, MLB, MLS, NHL, and college team face masks. Of course, as a Colts fan, I’ve got to highlight the horseshoe:

Mask up, everyone!

No more excuses. No more delay.

Because, after all, it behooves us to live lovingly, locally, healthily, and helpfully. If we’re going to live life to the fullest, then our current situation requires masks. The most vulnerable around us depend on it.

Endnotes

*I’m not here to debate this fact. If you’re still on the fence about the benefits of wearing a mask, here’s 70 reasons. Please read them. Oh, and here’s one more – wearing a mask might benefit you more than they originally thought. Thanks, UC Davis.

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Matt Todd

Howdy. I'm Matt. My wife, Christy, and I have four kids and two dogs, I'm passionate about orphan care. I'm a die-hard fan of the Evansville Aces, the Indiana Hoosiers, and Star Wars. I'm trying to live life by the Todd family motto: "It behooves us to live!"