I’m not a first responder. I’m not a nurse. I’m not a doctor.
So, why am I #proudtowearthemask? The reason is simple. I am doing my little part to ensure not only my safety, but the safety of those around me.
Like so many others, I sheltered in place for several weeks, venturing out of my house for evening walks with my wife.
I am in the communications field, so I spend my time writing and filming, developing material that we share with our employees so they know what to expect when they return to work. People are scared and it’s our job to be transparent and show when we are doing to ensure a safe work environment.
Probably the most important tool in this effort is the face mask. A lot has been written and debated about the use of masks. I’ve seen the reports about people who dislike having to wear a mask because they believe it infringes on their rights. I have seen the tearful posts from people on the front line, pleading for masks to keep them safe while they tend to COVID-19 patients.
I’ll admit that wearing a mask is not ideal. I normally wear one if I am working on projects around the house. However, wearing one in public, or even at work, is new to me.
Recently, I was fortunate to work a 10-hour shift at our Warren facility, helping make masks for our front-line heroes. It was a humbling experience and reinforced the importance of taking our collective safety seriously. And, yes, I had to wear a mask, as well as gloves, safety glasses, a hair net and one-piece suit to work in the clean room.
Now, as I head to and from work, I see the mask is a necessity, much like any other personal protective equipment we require in the manufacturing environment. This focus on safety extends beyond the workplace.
With COVID-19, it’s even more important that I take the necessary precautions to not only ensure my safety, but that of my family, as well. I have my wife, two teenage boys and 86-year-old mother-in-law to consider each time I leave for work and return home.
That’s why the mask is an integral part of my life. I no longer view it as a necessary evil. It carries no stigma that others might think I am infected or I fear infection from them. As a colleague shared with me, wearing the mask is about respect.
“Me not wearing my mask is me not respecting you,” he said.
I agree. I wear the mask for me, for my family, for you and for everyone else. I am #proudtowearthemask
How about you?
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