Give me liberty or put a mask on my face and thus take away all of my freedom.
These seem to be the two choices about wearing a mask to some people. I never thought pleading with people to wear a mask during a global pandemic would be a part of my job as a personal trainer, but alas I should be trained to expect the unexpected at this point in ye old Covid times.
I work at a local gym as a personal trainer and I also have some shifts where I sit or stand (did I mention I’m a personal trainer?) at a desk and answer any questions someone might have about gym equipment or exercises. Given the state of the world, my job now encompasses anxiety ridden encounters in which I approach the “non-maskers” or the “improper mask wearers” and ask them to wear the masks properly.
The biggest offenders are the ones who think his or her nose is exempt from these conditions. These are the people who defy logic and don’t have any bodily liquids leave their noses. You might think to yourself “Wow, these people must be so extremely rare! I, myself, have snot leaking from my nasal cavity at all times.” However, these people are everywhere.
Everywhere…
How to Handle the Unmasked (and not lose your cool)
My job is to walk up to these people (let’s be honest- it is typically men) and ask them to politely raise their masks over their noses like everyone else. Some of these people have a perfectly appropriate reaction such as,
“Oh! I’m sorry! Thank you for letting me know.”
To these people: “Thank you, I love you.” You keep me from walking briskly into the women’s bathroom to take a few deep breaths/cry silently.
The more inappropriate, and unfortunately more common interaction is as follows:
“Hi, could you move your mask to cover your nose, please?”
*Scowls at me in silence*
*Flicks up the mask like an angry teenager being asked to pull up their pants*
I say “Thank you so much!” but mutter “dick,” under my breath as I walk away.
Honestly, at the end of the day we are just here to make sure everyone feels safe at the gym. That was my job before the pandemic, and it is still the case now. The only difference today is that there is arguably more at stake if we are not safe and do not wear our masks.
So, do all the public workers in your daily life a favor, and stop making it so awkward for us every day by obligating us to tell you to wear your mask. Put it on over your nose, and follow the federal mandates.