Embarking on a 6-hour car ride with someone who takes zero COVID precautions. Chilling in the back seat with this respirator and trying to keep the CO2 under 1,000 ppm. Wish me luck! 
The full face respirator is probably overkill, but it’s honestly comfier than some of my half masks because of the way it distributes the weight - much less pressure on my nose bridge.
I’m surprised the CO2 has stayed so low with only 1 window slightly open (you can see how much in the original photo). I also made sure the button isn’t pressed that recirculates air within the car. Pretty pleased with this level.
My family member who’s driving refuses to use the GPS. Between my voice being slightly muffled, him being hard of hearing, and the wind whooshing through the open window, I am literally shouting with this full mask on. “YOU’RE EXITING HERE. YES, HERE! RIGHT NOW!” Mask seal is 👌
Enough people have seen this that the trolls have found me … and I’m genuinely excited. Makes me feel like I’ve made it!!! 😎
To all concerned parties, I am still CHILLIN™️. Meditated, helped my family member navigate the roads, and now I’m watching the sunset. Family member reminded me of the ambiance I am missing out on by not indoor dining, classic. Thank you for your support and kind words 💕
It’s so interesting to me that many people see my mask and assume I’m in a state of fear. If someone stays away from the edge of a cliff, do we shame them for their anxiety of falling? If someone wears a winter coat, do we mock them for being afraid of the cold?
Taking precautions does not stop me from living my life fully. In fact, it’s exactly what allows me to do so. When I caught COVID, I was bedridden for months (20’s, healthy). I feel lucky every day that I’ve recovered to the extent I have. Wearing a mask is well worth it to me.
I also feel good about protecting those I love. My partner never fully recovered from his last COVID infection. I’ve seen firsthand how awful Long COVID can be. To the extent I can avoid it, I don’t want to be responsible for giving that to anyone, especially not to my partner.
People have expressed more sympathy and concern for me for wearing a mask than they did when I was sick or caring for my partner. Getting a taste of disability myself and watching my partner suffer is so much worse than the precautions we take now. This mask is truly no big deal
I do not expect to take precautions forever. There are researchers working on better vaccines and treatments for Long Covid. I‘m also seeing improvements in clean air infrastructure. I’d like to be alive and well to enjoy the future when masks are no longer necessary.
To those taking precautions - I know how hard it can be. I’ve found it helpful to allow myself to feel the grief that arises. Grieving has allowed me to come to a greater level of acceptance with this reality and take steps to educate and protect myself. I feel stronger now. 💪
Why are people hostile to others’ precautions? My theory (rooted in cognitive dissonance) is that seeing masks suggests there’s a threat to be avoided. People don’t want that to be true, so it’s easier to pretend (unconsciously) someone is crazy or at an unusually high risk.
It’s taken awhile for me to see that many people who won’t consider that COVID is still a threat are terrified. The more clearly I see that, the less personally I take people’s negative reactions to my precautions. I threaten their sense of safety. We all want to feel safe.
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