Who Is That Masked Person?

    One thing I’ve noticed since this COVID-19 thing started, with its social distancing and all, is that it makes it somewhat harder to read people when they have most of their face covered with a mask. I have to depend on the eyes to tell me how any given person is reacting to life in general, or to me specifically. And I realize that they are having the same problem reading me. 
    For centuries, a mask was used to cover the face in certain social settings, and for good reason. The individual didn’t want to be recognized. 
    If the eyes and the skin around the eyes is crinkling up, I can be somewhat sure they are smiling. Either that or getting perturbed at something. I think this works rather well, but it does put a lot more pressure on the eyes. 
    Another thing is, well, let me cite an instance. I was in the store looking for some product, and not having much success, I called Lorraine. She asked a question which I didn’t know the answer to so I said to her, “Let me ask this young lady.” 
    The ‘young lady’ I was referring to was a Fred Meyer employee fiddling with the stock a few feet away. This person had a slight build and long hair, and of course was wearing a mask. 
    The clerk heard my comment to Lorraine, turned and said, “Well, I’m not a young lady, but I’ll be glad to help you.” If nothing else the young man was gracious and forgiving, which I appreciated, because I needed both from him at that moment. 
    After I apologized, he showed me where to find what I was looking for. Another example. I was working the main entrance to the hospital. A nurse had wheeled a patient out the front door where a vehicle was waiting. As she came back inside, she stopped and said, “How’s your wife doing.” 
    This so obviously caught me flat-footed that she went on to explain. “Your wife was in the hospital about a year ago, I was her nurse a number of shifts, and I remember you as being there. So how is she doing?” 
    I explained that she was doing much better thanks to the great care she had received while in the hospital. I probably would not have recognized this nurse even without the mask, but certainly not with the mask on. I’ve had this happen to me several times while working in the hospital where people will say, “Hi Eldon, nice to have you back.” Some I can recognize regardless of the mask, and some not. 
    It's a tricky world out there. 
    I’ve been waiting for a line of masks to come on the market where there is a lower face painted on the mask, such as a Halloween mask would have. After explaining this business opportunity to my two daughters, I find that there are already such masks available. Oh, well. 
    And another thing, what are bank robbers doing now. They just look like everyone else. Maybe that’s a plus for them. The next one I see I’ll have to ask.