Hands washed. Check. Wipes in the car. Check. Sanitizer in the small purse. Check. Keys and credits card handy so no routing around. Check. MASK ON. CHECK! Heading out the door today for any endeavor takes some planning that has now become habit. With numbers increasing in Jacksonville, it remains wise to continue precautions. (Even the RNC canceled. The President’s need for adoring fans is like a need for air- just not this air!)

“Blah,blah,blah!!!!” I hear it across the store aisles. A woman is tossing things into a cart while on the phone- no mask. Not even tucked like so many under her chin as if she had a chin lift (you do realize there is no point of entry there). She is shattering my peace. It is smart to get in and out or buy online and when you can’t, then make your trips quick, efficient, and distanced. The reason I was appalled is that she didn’t distance, talking like that spreads,  and she seems insistent on avoiding responsibility. If someone has a medical condition enough to avoid a mask, stay home please. Like a bee you cannot avoid (well, more like a murder hornet)  she kept following me, so eventually I overheard her conversation.

It was a tirade of complaints from one thing to the next. Her “chi” was very disruptive and brought to mind Peanuts’ “Pig Pen”. I wondered who cared enough to let her whine. It dawned on me that she is a super spreader of hot mess. People who complain constantly, or just want to hear their own voices and not listen, are infectious too. It was noxious stimuli for me.

I rushed out to the safety of my calm, peaceful clinic. I thanked God that demoralizing and aggressive chatter does not happen in my sheltered space. Here, people have every right to be disenchanted with their circumstances. They may be too ill to care for themselves and need to move from home, concerned for the children who may lose a parent, fearful of cancer and it’s treatment now adding to COVID job loss and money woes, so many issues surrounding this insult that vary with each individual and family.

Patients are sitting in front of me daily who have every right to cry, kick and scream their shock, fear, and anger. Instead what I do see is a serenity that is ethereal. It’s not all acceptance; they are here to fight or at least learn. At every turn there is hope and always the love and concern for others come through loud and clear. Above their masks, the eyes tell me all I need to know. Wide eyes, a crinkle of smile, a soft tear- all at the same time in this sacred space.

You will encounter thoughtless people like that shopper many times now. I hope we all remember that many many more of us are being brave in the face of challenge, far beyond a capability we thought was within us. Positive, uplifting words are necessary now more than ever. Gentleness, a loving spirit, and show of courage are also contagious. Let us all be super-spreaders of the very best kind.