Bandana
You are a fashionista. COVID-19 has forced everyone to make some sort of change in their life, but the one thing you are unable to sacrifice is your sense of style. It may not be as effective as other facial coverings, but as far as looks are concerned, the bandana is number one. Channel that inner cowboy, and maybe buy a 10-gallon hat and leather boots to complete the picture. Yee-haw!
Homemade Mask
You are my mom. When COVID started, you saw everyone on Facebook posting directions for DIY masks, and you decided to take a stab at it yourself. Did you ask your kids beforehand whether or not they would be okay with wearing several layers of your old, cut-up pantihose over their breathing orifices? Well, maybe not. But it’s the thought that counts. Thanks, mom!
Moe Mask
You are an anime fan. Let’s face it, you’ve spent your whole life looking for an excuse to wear this mask in public. Sure, you got away with it when you were cosplaying at anime conventions, but for the most part, this mask has been hidden away, along with various other figurines and posters you’ve accumulated over the years. But now, you can finally let out your inner weeb, and fulfil your dream: living in an anime. Sugoku kawaii masuku desu ne!
Disposable Surgical Mask
You constantly forget to bring a mask. Have you ever walked into a store, or got on a bus, and realized you didn’t have any sort of facial covering? If so, this is now, by necessity, your mask. Of course it has its downsides. The straps break after three seconds, it’s hard to make it look good with any outfit, and you have a nagging feeling that you shouldn’t have worn this mask more than once, much less every time you left the house during the past week. But anyway, congratulations, you now have a mask. Wait, what do you mean you forgot to bring it again?
N95 Respirator
You are a healthcare worker or medical first responder. Since these masks are in short supply, the CDC has released guidelines recommending that the general public not wear them. When you google “ways to help with covid 19,” one of the first things that comes up is donating this type of mask. Now, of course, it is entirely possible that you are not a medical professional, and you own an N95 respirator. In that case, I’ll just wait here while you do your civic duty. No pressure…
Gas Mask
You are a survivor. You have always known this day would come. Granted, you expected it would involve zombies, an alien invasion, or, at the very least, the breakout of World War III due to global warming. But still, you are prepared. They all said you were crazy and laughed at you. Well, look who’s laughing now. You’ve settled down in your nice and cozy, multi-level nuclear bomb shelter, with at least two decades worth of food, ready to ride out the storm. And you have Netflix. Hmm… maybe you might not need the mask…
Photo courtesy of Herzi Pinki/Wikipedia
