COVID-19 is still real, SC. So can we get real, too? Just make room and wear masks!
Let’s face it, South Carolina: we are having a tough time accepting the new habits demanded by the “new normal” created by COVID-19.
And we’ve been having a tough time for a very long time.
In April, our state received an “F” grade for our ability to practice social distancing, a key element in preventing the spread of the lethal, respiratory-based coronavirus.
In May, State Epidemiologist Linda Bell took the extraordinary step of publicly chastising South Carolinians for not wearing face masks and ignoring social distancing guidelines — leading Gov. Henry McMaster to take the equally extraordinary step of issuing a “Yeah, what she said!” response to Bell’s verbal spanking.
Also during May, crowds blatantly disregarded social distancing recommendations to flood into reopened restaurant spaces — which may have played a role in some eateries temporarily closing again because of COVID-19 concerns.
And now here in June — as new cases of infections skyrocket, more hospital beds fill up and South Carolina’s death toll grimly marches toward the 600 mark — state health officials are still begging and pleading with South Carolinians to wear face masks and maintain 6 feet of space to help reduce the COVID-19 numbers.
Yet many of us will continue to not wear face masks.
Yet many of us will continue to ignore the need for social distancing.
All of which leads to this question for all the obvious holdouts across our great state:
What is it about doing your part to stop the spread of a deadly illness that’s infecting and killing plenty of your fellow South Carolinians — and, who knows, may ultimately affect you or those you love — that you all are unable or unwilling to grasp?
Really.
Seriously.
What is it?
What’s the problem?
You’re tough? Please!
Oh, we get it.
You’re not wearing a face mask because you think it’s a sign of weakness — and you’re all about showing toughness.
Sorry to break this to you, but when the rest of us who are wearing face masks see you strutting around without one, we’re not viewing you with eyes full of admiration.
We’re viewing you with rolled eyes.
Period.
So you’re actually not projecting strength by not wearing a face mask.
You’re only displaying blustering, empty vanity — and what’s more lame and weak than that?
You’re selfish
Oh, we get it.
You’re not wearing a face mask because you figure that because so many conscientious people around you are doing so, you don’t need to do it.
Sorry to break this to you, but here’s the reason why so many people around you are wearing face masks:
It’s because we know we’re sure to run into selfish, less-conscientious people like you who can’t be bothered to put face masks on — and who can’t be stirred to make their small contribution during an ongoing crisis.
Just make space!
Oh, we get it.
You don’t want to practice the whole social distancing thing because it’s too hard and inconvenient to judge the right amount of space to maintain.
Sorry to break this to you, but in countless stores, public facilities and buildings — and even on numerous sidewalks these days — there are decals, stickers, labels and tape marks that clearly show where you should stand to maintain 6 feet from the person near you.
They’re not that hard to see.
Nor should they be that hard to figure out.
No excuses
So here’s the next question for the proudly defiant, willfully ignorant and tuned-out South Carolinians who still think they’re above wearing face masks and maintaining social distance during a global pandemic — one that can only be successfully fought by being willing to wear face masks and not invade the personal space of others:
Where’s your sense of personal responsibility?
Really.
Seriously.
Where is it?
Why can’t you find it?
Well, enough, already.
It’s time for these hard-headed South Carolinians to own their roles in helping to reduce a virus that continues to wreak havoc on the health and lives of so many around them.
They need to just wear the masks.
They need to just make some space.
This story was originally published June 11, 2020 at 7:12 AM.