'Because I have COVID,' and other good responses to rude questions about your mask-wearing

Laura Clawson

Daily Kos Staff

Tuesday April 26, 2022 · 7:17 AM PDT

2022/04/26 · 07:17

Travellers wear facemasks at Miami International Airport on December 24, 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Daniel SLIM / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images)

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Polling shows a majority still support mask mandates on airplanes and public transit, but as has been the case throughout the pandemic, the intensity is with the opposition. The people who previously were having violent temper tantrums over being required to wear masks now get their way thanks to a decision by a single Trump-appointed judge … and some are shifting quickly to trying to impose their preferences on their mask-wearing neighbors.

Because it’s not just about personal freedom for people who have bought into the Republican culture war on masks. (Never mind that the freedom they’re ostensibly seeking is to dismantle the concept of public health and spread a dangerous virus.) It’s about dividing the nation and defeating opponents. And, as many of the tweets about how this divide has played out in the days that followed the judge striking down the mandate show, it’s about the feelings of anti-maskers taking precedence over the comfort and safety of people who still wear them.

This one is from Donald Trump’s surgeon general, so, uh, I’d think he’d have had plenty of experience with this phenomenon.

Flying today. A @delta pilot (🤯) walked by me in the airport and said, take your mask off man- breath free!

Why is it those who so strongly felt others were imposing their beliefs (in health, wellness and compassion) on them, feel so free to impose their beliefs on others?! pic.twitter.com/UQDXcLCoWN
— Jerome Adams (@JeromeAdamsMD) April 20, 2022

In response to a taunting reply, Adams added, “My wife is being treated for cancer, and people like you got WAY more upset about being asked to wear a mask than ive gotten about being asked not to wear one to protect my wife’s life.”

Here’s someone who had a great response:

*wearing mask on airplane*
Seatmate: “why are you wearing a mask when you don’t have to.”
Me: “because if I’m going to catch COVID it’s going to be from spending time with people I love and care about, not a tube full of people who don’t mind their own business.”
— Heather Korbulic (@korb_heather) April 25, 2022

Many people in the replies to that one suggested answering that you have COVID but will take the mask off if your neighbor really wants. Here’s a little twist on that:

My son who is a hospital healthcare worker and treats Covid patients tells ppl who question why he wears a mask:”I treat ppl who have Covid/‘other contagious diseases’ so I have been exposed. But if you feel comfortable I’ll take it off.”
— SueSue Kachoo (She/Her/Hers) (@MamaBearRocks3) April 25, 2022

Last week a tweet asking what people would say if they got that question drew a lot of good responses:

Get this blank stare down pat and you'll find it's all the deterrent you need. Seriously. ⬇️ https://t.co/vNyvslWzMn pic.twitter.com/qac48pM4Ha
— Angel V. Shannon MS, CRNP, Chief Burnout Buster (@angelvshannon) April 24, 2022

I have contagious critical race theory https://t.co/387BJLG0ex
— Michael Eisen #912238 (@mbeisen) April 20, 2022

My clinical practice is now 75% #LongCOVID and has a 4-month plus wait list. The vast majority of them (90%) had mild COVID & now they are not the same due to:
Fatigue
Brain damage
Ringing
Dizziness
Headaches
Numbness
Tremors
Palpitations
Continues list for rest of flight. https://t.co/Duq6VkWICn
— Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez, MD (@MVGutierrezMD) April 20, 2022

"how much of my medical history will it take for you to shut up and leave me alone" https://t.co/op6GQhO0lu
— reborn crab obelisk (@Sedna51) April 20, 2022

"You mean you /trust/ the government? You were only wearing a mask because they told you to, and took it off when they said you could?"

"God. Couldn't be me, you fucking sheep."

It's a trick question, though, because like hell am I getting on a plane right now. https://t.co/sMBP8fF7lN
— Heir to the Throne of the Kingdom of Idiots (@NomeDaBarbarian) April 21, 2022

noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, and minding my masked business https://t.co/a44t9Sfnz9
— Quirked Up Shivvy (@ShivvyTime) April 20, 2022

If you plan to fly or ride public transit while masked in the near future, do you have a response planned to rude questions? What is it?

'Because I have COVID,' and other good responses to rude questions about your mask-wearing

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