We have the annual festival at my church this weekend. Due to stupid, horrible COVID-19, the festival was altered, offering a limited menu via drive-thru only. And, honestly, we were lucky that we were able to have anything at all. If it were up to me, I would've shrugged and said, "eh, maybe next year". But, really, I'm not trying to pay the mortgage and utilities on a large facility like a church, so what do I know?
Festival, it is!
And just like a good steward of the church, I volunteered. Mostly, I've worked in the kitchen, putting dinners together - socially distancing and wearing PPE. We are doing everything we can to make this event as safe as possible, both for our volunteers and our guests. And I'm pretty freaked out about this disease, so if I say we're being safe, we're being safe.
Today was my first time in front of the public. And my first experience seeing how freaked out other people are. It's not as if I didn't know. I have social media, after all. But I thought we were all decent human beings at the core. We all want to be safe and healthy. And this is a church function, so it'd be reasonable to think people might be nice.
Wrong.
I was taking orders. It was hot. I was wearing a mask. I know that I was. And it was never off my face. However, I admit I can't say that the mask was properly secured at all times for 3 reasons:
A) We were outside
B) It was hot and I was sweaty
C) The mask would slide off my nose
I DO know for a fact that I would reposition the mask when I would get to a new car. And, I maintained social distance. Because, as I said above, I am freaked out about this disease and I will (selfishly) admit, I don't want to get it. So, I'm pretty sure I would do what I can to keep myself safe (even though I know I know, the mask is for other people, not me). But whatever.
When it all came out and our state shut down, I didn't leave the house for 8 whole weeks. We didn't have our weekly family dinner with my parents and siblings because we would be over the 10 people limit. When my neighbor and I walked the neighborhood, one of us was in the street and the other was on the sidewalk.
I've been playing by the damrules.
But today, someone questioned my commitment to playing by these rules. I had just left a car when a woman in the car in front of me yelled out her window that I wasn't wearing my mask and that she had taken 20 pictures of me not wearing my mask and she was going to shut us down.
I was speechless. I mean, who does this?
Look, I get it. We are living in a horrible nightmare of a time. I am afraid for everyone I know. I have mini panic attacks when my husband leaves the house and want to spray him down when he walks in the door. My kids don't see friends. I yell at my parents to stay the fuck home. And even though the lockdown is over, I don't feel safe.
So, she took these 20 pictures and showed them to one policeman who was working security. From what I heard, she showed him, he told her I wasn't breaking any rules (the guidance is "should" wear a mask, not "shall") and to have a nice day. So, what did the lady do? She took his picture, too, for not wearing a mask (he was off duty, btw).
I don't know, maybe it's my type of anxiety that won't allow me to just roll my eyes at the crazy lady and let. shit. go. (Obviously, if I'm thinking enough to write about it.) But, I wasn't breaking any rules, we were at a church function, and this woman now has 20 pictures of me sitting on her phone because it made her feel important. I wasn't even anywhere near her, so it wasn't as if she was afraid for her safety. To add to that, she ordered food and took it home, so she must not have been too worried. She just wanted to stick her nose in someone else's business.
Was it always this way? Were there always entitled, yet ignorant people in the world, letting everyone know their every feeling at every minute? I know social media has given people a sort of power to say whatever they want to whomever they want. But I'm wondering if everyone was always like this, it is just more obvious nowadays?
Someone at the festival told me that this lady is the epitome of a Karen. And, of course, I know that term, but I decided to look it up. According to Wikipedia (the epitome of truth on the internet, I know), a Karen "demands the world exist according to her standards with little regard for others, and she is willing to risk or demean others to achieve her ends."
This woman is TOTALLY a Karen. I mean, who is she to tell me what I did wrong? She doesn't know me, doesn't know how I feel about keeping people safe. She doesn't really care about that. As long as she gets to do and say whatever she wants.
So, fuck you, Karen. I hope you feel better, you nitwit. And next time, YOU wear a mask.
(Oh, did I forget to mention she wasn't wearing a mask herself? Soooo, yeah, there's that.)
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