Not wearing a mask in my condo? You’ll hear from me
Until recently, I had a liveand-let-live attitude in the 225-unit condominium building where my husband and I live in Fort Lauderdale, an epicenter for the coronavirus. However, I have put aside my good nature when it comes to people not wearing a mask while in the common areas in my building.
In fact, although never my intent, I have become a mask monitor, as exemplified in my interactions with “Maskless Mick.”
My first interaction with Maskless Mick was when he pushed his way onto an elevator that another condominium resident and I, both wearing masks, were sharing. The sign requesting no more than two masked riders per elevator was plainly in sight. I politely reminded Mick that he should be wearing a mask. He was in the middle of some explanation about his weak lungs when the elevator came to my floor, and I exited. (He of the weak lungs, who walks the beach and swims on a regular basis.)
The second time I ran into Mick was in the laundry room. I was wearing a mask, he was not. I reminded him, a little less politely this time, that he should wear a mask.
The third time I saw Mick he was in our lobby; he was maskless, chatting up various residents passing through. I should point out that all the residents had received a message from our building management asking us not to linger in common areas, such as the lobby, to help reduce the possible spreading of Covid-19.
I had had it with Maskless Mick. I went to our condo office to inform the building manager that I had seen Mick roaming around not wearing a mask. I was informed that Mick had been asked several times to wear a mask, but he refused and there was nothing they could do about it. Oh, really? I strode over to Mick. Me: “Wear a mask, Mick.” Mick: “Let me explain …” Me: “No, Mick, this is really simple. Wear an oxygen, surgical, or cloth mask, or stay in your apartment. You could be a super spreader and not know it. Wear a damn mask.”
I am not always as forceful as I was with Mick. I start out nice. I politely inform folks that they need to wear a mask in our building. On several occasions, I have said to the person, “Oh, I see you aren’t wearing a mask. I have an extra one I can give you.” In most instances the person has responded courteously, for example, “Oh, I forgot it,” or “You’re right. I will wear one.” One resident said he didn’t have a mask and I delivered one to his apartment.
However, if need be, I will say what needs to be said to repeat offenders, as was the case with Mick. I don’t like being a mask monitor, but people not wearing a mask are literally putting my life at risk. The common areas in my condominium are part of my home, and I want rules that protect my health and safety enforced, even if that means I have to be the enforcer.
Although I am past caring how others feel about my speaking up to those not wearing a mask, a resident who witnessed the exchange between Mick and me in the lobby came up to me the next day and said he was grateful that I said something to Mick.
He then asked me if I would say something in stores to those who were not wearing a mask. I said I would not say anything to someone in a public place, as there have been too many instances of violent responses. I explained that fortunately for my husband and me, this is not an issue that we have to deal with because we do not go to any public places. In fact, some might think we carry social distancing to an extreme. For example, we do not socialize in person with anyone, we have all our groceries delivered, we cut each other’s hair, and all interactions with our doctors are teleconferences.
My husband and I have made a commitment to do anything we can to avoid contracting Covid-19, and that includes reminding, and when necessary, demanding that people wear a mask in the common areas of our condo. I have become a mask-monitor and I will continue to be one. I will let you know that you are not welcome in my home without a mask.
If you are wondering about Mick, he now wears a mask.
Karen L. Rancourt, Ph.D., writes an advice column, “Ask Dr. Gramma Karen,” hosted by GRAND Magazine and Mommybites.com. Her latest book is “It’s All About Relationships: New Ways to Make Them Healthy and Fulfilling, at Home and at Work.”