Everything Is Trying To Kill ME!
WEAR A MASK!
Greg Winkler
If you have had a chance to read the book that Vikki and I wrote, Welcome to Florida, WTF, today’s article has the same title as Chapter 12. Our book was published last year. Since that time we have learned there are more strange things that are trying to kill us. From fire ants to the cicada invasion of 2020, many insects, animals, and other unknown elements in the Sunshine State are lurking.
Our newest threat happens to be the COVID-19 virus, and how do we avoid its wrath. There is much debate in our city, our county, our state, and across the country about wearing masks. A simple thing that could save lives has turned into a political argument that messes with the message.
Let’s take a look at what is trying to kill us and how a mask may help save us. Recently I read an article saying that Florida’s brain-eating amoeba is back. On July 6, of this crazy 2020, A person in Tampa was diagnosed with this parasite. The brain-eating amoeba enters through the nose, so if you wear a mask correctly, you would have some protection from this nasty visitor. Though: you probably shouldn’t be wearing the mask in the water.
What’s next? How about the “Meth-Gator?” In July of 2019, the police department in Orlando warned residents about flushing drugs down the toilet. The disposed of drugs are picked up by wildlife and cause the animals to become crazed. There are no “meth-gators” yet, but police warn it could happen. I’m not sure if a mask could help us if we run into a crazed gator, but you never know.
June 6 of 2020, a Tampa news station reported on the Chrysopelea Paradisi or, in layman’s terms, the paradise tree snake. They said that this snake could fly. What? I do not want to see snakes on the ground, and now you are telling me they can fly? No worries, the snakes live in Southeast Asia, and they don’t actually fly, they merely glide from tree to tree. Wearing a mask may prevent them from flying into your ears, nose, or mouth, so wear a mask!
Do you know that the median age of a person in Charlotte County is 55.9 years of age? Englewood is at 65.2, and Punta Gorda is at 66.9. So if we think of aging and wrinkles, we may prefer to wear a mask. There is no magic age for facial lines; some of us start finding crow’s feet around our eyes in our 20s. Prolonged exposure to the sun, something that indeed happens in paradise, can bring on early wrinkles. The majority of us will start to see them in our 50s and 60s. In that case, wearing a mask can save money on beauty creams, as a mask will cover up some of those lines.
A few months ago, we were warned of “Murder Hornets” heading to America. These large bees, often 2–3 inches in length, are nasty and kill our honey bees. A mask would certainly help keep them out of our mouths and noses. Honestly, we should not have to worry about them when they arrive in the United States, and it will take many years for them to reach Florida.
Maybe, because of the pandemic, you have not felt comfortable going to your dentist’s appointment for your annual or bi-annual check-up. Wearing a mask will hide your teeth until you can get them cleaned up. We should always look for the positives!
In all seriousness, we want to visit our favorite restaurants and listen to our local musicians. We want to have our street fairs and markets return in all of their glory. We want to go to the local sports pub and cheer for our teams. These things will not return until we find answers to this virus. The simplest thing that all of us can do right now to protect one another is to wear a mask. Despite reports to the contrary, masks are not harmful and do not cause any problems with ventilation or oxygenation.
I would love to hear from you, my readers. If you have an idea for an article, you can drop me a line at gregwinkler10@gmail.com. Stay safe and watch out for that brain-eating amoeba. @gregwinkler10
