Perhaps the hardest part for me so far of returning to the school building is wearing a mask all day. I have a wide assortment of face coverings, but I haven't found any that remain comfortable for much longer than 30 minutes. So, I always take advantage of the rule allowing us to remove our masks when we are alone in a classroom with the door closed.
But I was halfway down the hallway at school this afternoon when I realized I wasn't wearing a mask. Even though the building was almost deserted, and no one else was in sight, my eyes widened and I began to feel a little panicky. Just then, a colleague turned the corner.
"I forgot my mask!"
"You're not wearing a mask!" we said in unison.
I spun on my heel, clapped one hand over my nose, and then pulled my turtleneck up and over my mouth, speed walking back toward my room. "Sorry," I added over my shoulder.
Back in my room, I grabbed one of the many masks on my desk and put it on. I sighed, plopped down in my chair, and put my hands in the pocket of my hoodie, where I found a mask that was in there all along. Shaking my head, I stretched my legs and stuffed my hands into my side pockets. There was another mask in the left side.
Evidently? I know myself well enough to be prepared for those moments of forgetfulness, but not well enough to think that I actually am prepared for those moments of forgetfulness.
Maybe I'll just keep my mask on at school.
I did the same thing a couple of days ago. I made it all the way to the bathroom. BUT I did have my mask with me on my lanyard. UGH
ReplyDeleteI love the second to last paragraph. I mean, I LOL'ed, and I don't LOL. It is such a human thing to feel this contrast, isn't it!? You did such a nice job with the set-up too that I can see you shaking your head and smaking your forehead! Well done!
ReplyDeleteYou paint a perfect picture of the new panic of feeling naked in the school halls! I felt like I was right there with you.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your vivid retelling of everyone’s new worst fear! To think that going maskless now tops splitting one’s pants or forgetting to zip up after a trip to the bathroom...
ReplyDeleteYour sentiment about preparedness and knowing yourself really resonates. I'm sure we're all going to have a few mask-related moments of mild panic ahead of us.
ReplyDeleteI chuckled thinking of you checking every pocket and finding a new mask in each one -I'm like that too. Masks are everywhere, yet when I need one I can't find one. I walked to the bathroom without a mask the other day, too. Oops!
ReplyDeleteSide note: Have you tried the old navy ones? I find them to be the most comfortable for all-day wear.
Same, I've got masks in every pocket, my glove box, and more. And I cherish that moments I can take refuge in my empty classroom and take a deep breath! Thanks god for breaks.
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