Here’s the thing: I’m totally fine with having to wear a mask. I don’t even consider it an inconvenience, but a necessary measure to protect myself AND to protect others, including you, from the Coronavirus pandemic. I know that ONLY 1-2% of people are being infected, and that sounds like a very little number when you consider the thousands upon thousands who make up our country. BUT I understand the nature of this disease, I know it is virulent and unrelenting, I know, too, that it is indiscriminate in who it attacks – and if there is anything I’ve learned in my 82 circles around the sun it is that THERE ARE NO 100% GUARANTEES, and I am not guaranteed safety. NOR ARE YOU 100% GUARANTEED FROM BEING INFECTED IF I TURN OUT TO BE AN ASYMPTOMATIC CARRIER. I do not consider wearing a mask an invasion of my privacy, a violation of my constitutional rights, or an affront to my personal freedoms, and I feel this because I have endured privations and oppression and denial of my Constitutional rights being in an American concentration camp during WWII, and later denial of access to rentals because of race, and having to wear a mask doesn’t come even close to oppression. When I see those of you protesting against wearing masks I see white people – I see people who I can pretty much assure you haven’t really experienced oppression in the meaning of that word – I see privileged people who are inconvenienced, and are crying over something designed to protect you and your loved ones, and you’re making it into some violation of your personal freedoms – So, let’s sit down and compare wounds, scars, and facts about oppression, and air these in the light of day. SO HERE’S THE THING, THE BOTTOM LINE MATTER AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED – PROTECTIVE MASKS AND SAFE-DISTANCING MEASURES ARE THERE BECAUSE THE CORONAVIRUS DOESN’T GIVE A FRACK ABOUT YOUR FREEDOMS. IT WILL GRIND YOU UNDER JUST AS EASILY AS ANYONE ELSE, AND YOU PARTICULARLY IF YOU DON’T TAKE PRECAUTIONS, IT’S THAT FREE OF CARING ABOUT YOU PERSONALLY – AND WHEN WE COME OUT OF ALL THIS, I FOR ONE DON’T WANT TO HAVE ANY OF MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS, NOR YOU, MISSING FROM OUR GATHERINGS COME THE SUNSHINE…