“Who was that masked man?” someone asked.
Another answered, “That’s the Lonnnne Ranger?”
Add the sound of departing hoof beats and the cry of “Hi-yo, Silver! Away!”
Beginning on radio in 1933, that’s the way “The Lone Ranger” broadcast ended every time until 1954, when after 2,956 episodes the show finished its radio run. But fans still were able to share the adventures of this legendary masked hero on television from 1949 to 1957, and twice on the on the big screen, first in 1981 and again in 2018, and now they could actually see him ride off into the sunset astride his magnificent white stallion, Silver, to the words, “He’s the Lonnnne Ranger.”
As a lifelong fan of the famous masked man, I began thinking about him when the discussions cropped up about whether or not to wear a mask in public until this damnable COVID-19 virus is conquered. I’ll go on the record right here by saying I think that anyone who chooses not wear the protection of a mask when interacting with the public suffers from CTS (complete terminal stupidity). Just my humble opinion!
Before we discuss the masks, however, let’s back up for a moment. After the Trump administration finally decided that the virus was a true force with which to be reckoned, the Coronavirus Task Force was born. Subsequently we were subjected daily to the excruciatingly lengthy and embarrassingly inane Coronavirus Task Force press briefings.
Restrictions
One of the first things that emerged from these exercises in futility was that we were supposed to begin practicing social distancing, which meant staying six feet away from everyone else. What was interesting about this is that during the press briefings, Trump and his task force coterie were crowded onto a small stage in open defiance of the distancing mandate.
Now let’s return to the masks. In the fictional annals of the American West the Lone Ranger’s mask became a symbol of justice, but what about the COVID-19 masks? After
Trump first announced that scientists and medical professionals recommended people should voluntarily wear them in public, he also made it very clear that he would not be wearing one.
So what is the purpose of the virus masks? The doctors I have heard speaking about them said that they are meant to prevent the wearers from spreading the disease if they happen to be asymptomatic carriers. Thus they are a symbol of caring for fellow mankind, but I think they also, to some degree, may prevent wearers from becoming infected.
Now as things begin reopening, unfortunately that means the loosening of restrictions has caused conflict between the Trump administration and the medical profession, most recently about when to reopen schools. Dr. Anthony Fauci is constantly issuing warnings that rushing things in an attempt to get back to normal can be very dangerous. On the other hand, Trump said Fauci’s cautionary approach to reopening schools was “…not an acceptable answer.” But then I bet that Fauci would have called Trump’s suggestion of curing the virus by injecting human beings with disinfectant “…not an acceptable answer.”
However, Trump’s most flagrant refusal to wear a mask occurred on Thursday at a Ford plant in Michigan. Prior to his trip there he received an open letter from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel explaining that Michigan required anyone entering the Ford plant to wear a mask. The following is an excerpt from her letter.
“While my Department will not act to prevent you from touring Ford’s plant, I ask that while you are on tour you respect the great efforts of the men and women at Ford – and across this State – by wearing a facial covering. It is not just the policy of Ford, by virtue of the Governor’s Executive Orders. It is currently the law of this State. Michigan has been hit especially hard by the virus, with more than 50,000 confirmed cases and 5,000 deaths. Therefore, we must all do our part to stop the spread of COVID- 19. Anyone who has potentially been recently exposed, including the President of theUnited States, has not only a legal responsibility, but also a social and moral responsibility, to take reasonable precautions to prevent further spread of the virus.”
The President
Predictably Trump refused to comply with the Michigan law. He said he had put one on backstage, but he removed it for his tour of the plant and his address to the workers. When he was asked why he didn’t comply with the rules, he said, “I didn’t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it.”
So where does all of this leave us? Some masked and others unmasked. This horrific pandemic is far from over, and the only way it’s going die is if we kill it by preventing it from spreading, and wearing a mask is one way of helping to do that. Just as the Lone Ranger’s mask stood for justice, the virus mask stands for fighting and caring. It says you are combating the insidious disease at the same time you are caring for others by not spreading it. Yes, wearing the mask is voluntary, but if you listen to the doctors and the scientists, it’s a very good idea.
But still there will be some who exercise their right not to do so. In fact, just the other day I was watching a press conference on TV when a reporter’s question so angered a certain politician (sans mask) that he stormed off the stage.
After he left, someone in the crowd asked, “Who was that unmasked man?”
And another answered, “That’s the Lonnnne President.”
Be smart. Wash your hands often. Don’t touch your face. If you must go out in public, wear a mask.
Stay well!
