Billy Coffey
Billy Coffey

The Masks We Wear

May 2, 2009  

I saw my first anti-swine-flu-surgical-mask-wearing person yesterday. At Wal-Mart, of course. Standing in the express line with a shopping cart full of Lysol, Tylenol, latex gloves, bottled water, and, strangely enough, picture frames.

Her posture was stiff and alert, which made it easier for her to keep a vigilant watch over the no-fly zone she had mentally cordoned off around herself. Anyone or anything germy that approached was shot down with a laser-like stare.

I’d heard that the top three bestselling items at amazon.com the past week were three different brands of surgical masks. Drug and department stores couldn’t keep them in stock. And a lot of other people felt the plain old masks from the local Rite-Aid wouldn’t do. They needed extra protection. So now even the Lowe’s next door was running short on the thick industrial masks that were guaranteed to keep everything out. Including oxygen.

I assumed that she would make it safely through the checkout line and back home, where she would undoubtedly proceed to fill sandbags, listen to her ham radio, and clean the shotgun she would use to fight off the flu zombies. I couldn’t be sure, though. I didn’t stick around. Instead of making an attempt at conversation, I swung wide right and went the other way. Which was probably for the best. Even if she wanted to talk to me, she probably wouldn’t have. And how well can you understand people talking through those masks, anyway?

I wasn’t making light of both her and the whole swine flu thing (now called H1N1, by the way. It sounds more clinical). I knew this was serious, that people had died, and that paranoia was spreading faster than the virus itself. Yet it seemed as though every day brought a new Something that beckoned us to shudder and bite our fingernails in dread. There was only so much life-altering news I could take in a short amount of time, and I’d gotten a little callous in the process. If the Chinese invaded tomorrow, I’d probably just yawn and go back to bed.

Sure, I was concerned. How could I not be? It was all over the news, and the Vice President had all but dared us to go outside our homes. I just hadn’t progressed to the mask-wearing point.

My mind ambled back to one of my earlier thoughts: how well can you understand people who are talking through those things? I’d seen actors on television talk just fine while wearing them, but that’s as close as I’d gotten.

Not having anything better to do, I decided to ask the pharmacist. Yes, he said, you can talk through them. And yes, you can be understood.

He said this with the supreme air of confidence that you tend to get from a Wal-Mart employee. But I still didn’t buy it. A mask might let words through, but it hides the important things. I can say I’m happy, but the smile that accompanies those words is proof. And I can tell you I’m upset, but you wouldn’t be sure unless you saw me frown. Most of our communication goes beyond vocabulary. If you want to truly understand people, you have to do more than listen to them. You have to look, too.

“We can’t keep ‘em,” the pharmacist told me. “Everyone’s afraid.”

I could understand. Because we all put a mask on when we’re afraid. We all drew an imaginary circle around our hearts and dared anyone to come too close.

We all tried to keep the world from us, never pausing to consider that by doing so we also kept us from the world.

It seemed to me that we all had a choice to make. We could let the fear take us, or we could let God lead us. We could shut ourselves off from the world, or we could open ourselves to it.

We could put on a mask, or we could put on our faith.

“Would you like one?” he asked.

“No, thanks,” I answered. “I’ll take my chances for now.”

“Germs spread by contact,” he warned.

“So do blessings,” I said. Then I smiled, and walked on.

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Comments

  • Warren Baldwin

    “Germs spread by contact,” he warned.

    “So do blessings,” I said. Then I smiled, and walked on.

    Superb ending.

  • twofinches

    Billy
    You are the king of perfect last lines
    ““Germs spread by contact,” he warned.

    “So do blessings,” I said. Then I smiled, and walked on”

    I love the way you go through life letting God show you his message/presence/humor. He is a great God and you have a searching heart. Unbeatable combination.

  • Candace Jean July 16

    I choose faith and handwashing, in that order. Great post, Billy!

  • katdish

    Oh, come on. You were making light of her just a little bit. Those masks may help prevent the spread of germs, but they’re definitely not man-tastic.

  • Anne L.B.

    Not to be flippant, but …

    I know I could get sick, and have to slow down with nothing to do but talk to God. I know I could get dead and have to look at God. In spite of those hazards, I’d rather smile than wear a mask.

  • God will lead you

    I love the way you view life and the the how you effortlessly, put it into words, and yes, I too, love the last line, blessings do spread. Blessings to you and your family.

  • IconZ1

    Billy,

    It is refreshing to find someone of your faith. I too believe that God is our healer but beyond that he is also our protector. Deuteronomy 7:15 states, “The LORD will keep you free from every disease.” That being said, I exercise my faith and another one of God’s promises. “I watch over my word to perform it.”

    Geoff

  • Annie K

    We’ve got 5 (yes FIVE) confirmed cases of swine..er H1N1 in Oregon. Schools and universities are shutting down. I’m gonna don a mask and go running all wild and crazy down the street, yelling ‘make the pigs stop chasing me!’

    Ok, Probably not.

  • Billy Coffey

    Annie – Please take a video camera with you. That would be the best. Post. EVER.

  • Chris Godfredsen

    I would perhaps even pay to watch that video, Annie K!

    We certainly do wear a lot of masks, tho, don’t we? Often we don’t want to let people really see how we are feeling, what we are thinking, etc.

    I really can’t believe – having gotten to know you a little bit here – that you went wide right and didn’t talk with the mask-wearing individual, but loved the ending.

    “Then I smiled and walked on.” May we be smiling, mask-free, light-bearing followers of Christ today and every day!

  • Chris

    Great post!

  • christy rose

    Blessings do spread by contact even if that contact is through the internet because today you have blessed me.

    I love your writing and have been visiting your blog for a couple of weeks now. You have a great writing gift and I admire your yieldedness to the Spirit of God to use it for His glory. This post was awesome, blessing #1. and, today when i read your comment on my blog, i thought to myself, “that is a great compliment coming for someone that I really admire in His ability to communicate with a paper and pen, or keyboard i mean,” blessing #2.

    Thank you so much for reaching out to contact others through your talent because blessings do spread by contact.

    much thanks,

    Christy Rose

  • Julie

    You are an amazing writer. Your words are gifts to those who read. You paint the picture beautifully.
    I couldn’t agree with you more. There is so much in the expression that is left out with mere words.
    I’ve heard it said that facial expressions often override words spoken. If I say I love you with a frown on my face what will be communicated the most?

    You visited my blog a few weeks back, you found me from my friend, Tiffany’s blog. I am grateful for your visit and your words. I am like you… looking for Papa God in the everyday things that pass my way. He’s everywhere… giving us glimpses of His heart and love. Once a woman bound to religious ways He is setting my heart free with that amazing love seen through everyday life.

    I will be linking to you… I want to keep reading what you write, you see HIM.

    Julie

  • nAncY

    fear and masks.
    good point.

  • Heart2Heart

    Billy,

    Another memorable post that will last long after you have posted it in the minds and hearts of those that come here to visit.

    Gotta make you wonder, what flu is next? I mean we have had the avian flu, the swine flu, is the bovine flu next?

    Gotta laugh at how paranoid some people can be! People die every day of things just as contagious as the flu!

    Until then, I will keep my Bible close and continue to seek the Lord in all things.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

  • Joanne Sher

    LOVE the ending of this too. And the beginning. And the middle.

    Masks when we are scared. Yup. Profound. (and I also wanna see that video!)

    Hoping the fear will make Orlando crowds lighter ;)

    Blessings!

  • April

    Those last lines were incredible, Billy, and I couldn’t agree with you more! I hope you know how glad I am that I was introduced to your blog…your writing blesses me in so many ways! Often times, it’s things I’ve felt in my own heart, but I’ve never been able to express them too well. You seem to hit the nail on the head everytime! AMAZING!

    Now, I’d like to know when you plan on posting your first vlog? You’d be great at it, I just know it! Please give it some thought…your fans await!

  • RCUBEs

    Thanks to the frenzy caused by the media. Anyone can die from human influenza as much as from these H1N1 viruses. We’re just not prepared because there was no vaccination ready for this. If we had the “flu shot” it wouldn’t protect us from this because it came from the pigs!
    “Anything of fear is not from God.” And I believe the enemy uses this too to paralyze us all. Yes, we can still wear that mask but we don’t have to be living in fear that we are not able to go out of the house. A simple handwashing is always a great thing to do to prevent the spread of any “infections”.
    This is a very timely post. I heard a lot of people are also into panic-buying, buying Tamiflu, the drug and taking them to prevent this flu. But it’s like taking Tylenol and you don’t even have a headache.
    Great ending bro. Billy. Short but something that lasts…God bless.

  • Billy Coffey

    Chris – Yeah, that does sound a little unlike me, doesn’t it? But that mask made her look like Darth Vader, and he scares me to death.

    April – There’s a reason why I want to be a writer rather than a public speaker. Only the Southern portion of my audience would understand me!

    RCUBEs – It’s so nice to have health professionals like you and Doc on here.

  • Marie

    Another great analogy Billy. I, too, am putting my faith in a higher power. Only He knows the end of the story. How can I not trust someone who has even counted the hairs on my head? He gathers us close and shelters us under his wings even as a hen gathers her baby chicks . . .

  • jasonS

    You make me laugh, you make me think. Great post!

  • Jennifer

    This sort of overreaction reminds me of the folks who stockpiled canned goods in advance of Y2K. Nine years later, they’re still eating chicken-noodle soup, circa 1999.

    I don’t mean to minimize the sickness and death that has come from this disease, but there is a line between overreaction and precaution.

  • Denise

    Keep smiling and keep walking my friend, for the frenzy of this “pandemic” is creating or feeding unnecessary fear.

    Washing my hands, eating my pork and smiling all the while!

    Grace to you,
    Denise

  • Tammy

    I’ll put on the faith and hand the mask to someone else.

    A great way of looking at all this craziness that is around us. Loved it!

  • Brenda

    I love how you learn lessons in so many ordinary things throughout the day. You have encouraged me to pay attention and look for them also. Thanks. By the way… how are your hiccups today?

  • Rosslyn

    Great post, Billy!

    Wile we can use common sense about hand-washing, etc., we must be willing to give up the illusion that we can control our lives.

  • Mary Moss

    Wow! Put on faith! I love it!

  • Beth E.

    Great post, Billy. I’m so glad I came across your blog. What a blessing you are!

    I’m with Candy…Faith and handwashing…a winning combination!

  • Wendy

    Oh Billy, you missed your chance to go up and give that woman in Walmart a big hug. I’m sure she would have appreciated it. Especially if you started wiping your nose as you walked up to her. Oh well. Missed opportunity.

  • Billy Coffey

    Brenda – Whether it was the pretzels, the chocolate, the liquids, or a combination of them all, my hiccups stopped yesterday. Thanks for asking.

  • Laura

    There’s that smile again…

    My first thought was: A germophobe in Wal-mart? Maybe not the best place for our mask-wearing friend.

    Here in WV we are often isolated from these kinds of crises, so maybe I have a false sense of security.

    Nonetheless, the only masks I have seen are at the hospital where I work.

    Keep infecting people with blessings, Billy!

  • Annie

    This past week my son came down with a cough, a fever and a sore throat. I also caught it. I went back to work and he went back to school. A few nights of some strong Theraflu and we have been semi-cured. Both of us now have lingering colds. I quit watching the news, did not buy a mask, wash my hands with good old soap and water and have decided to live my life as usual. This reminds me of the Y2K episode when the media fused fear into everyone.
    But, I have faith. I have the Lord. And for now, I continue to go on, cold and all.
    And, thanks for spreading your blessings. I am glad to have caught many from reading your wonderful thoughts.

  • conarnold

    What a great post, Billy! I love the ending too!

  • Julie

    Billy,
    Thanks for visiting my blog again.. Yes, you are so right, thankfully He comes and turns us back around when we get a little off step. He’s been speaking to me frequently these days about “leading the blind.”
    It is complete dependence…. I hope some day I get there… cause self-reliance and “figuring it out” is deadly. At least that is for me.

    Thanks again for the visit!
    Julie

  • Blessed Mom of 8

    I love how you ended this post!

    AMEN Billy!

    Blessings spread – like wild fire!

    Joy reaches down into another soul that is bleeding to death, stops it immediately and healing can begin!

    Peace heals the brokenness and mends a crying soul.

    Love heals the pain and washes it away!

    His of course! There is nothing like passing on the blessings of His grace, mercy and forgiveness!

    May we all contract that more and more each day!

    Love,
    Jill

  • TUC

    I love the way you take something that could have slipped by with just a blip in the thought process and weave it into an entertaining read and a great message. You’ve got it going on these days!

  • sharilyn

    thanks, billy, for a great post… so much fear-mongering going on, so much overreacting, rather like Chicken Little… i am reminded of a great verse: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a SOUND MIND.” (2 Tim 1:7)

    loved the ending lines… i love the profound in the simple…

    [and, i will be spending time in crowded places (had some fun saying "swine flu" out loud at disneyland the other day when i was coughing from my allergies!), taking a cross-country flight in a week, and masking my face with a smile! :) ]

  • Amy

    Billy,
    “So do blessings…” Wonderful and Amen!

    You are such a great writer..and as others said, your endings are always brilliant.

    (This blogpost of yours reminded me of a post about the masks we wear, and I have it “on-deck” to be posted later this month).

    Have a wonderful Sunday!

    Blessings,
    ~Amy :)