I trust the CDC’s guidance. But my fear of being mistaken for an armed robber is greater than my fear of Covid-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took a 180-degree turn last week and is now recommending that people wear face masks in public. The guidelines say medical-grade masks should be reserved for health professionals, who are facing a shortage of supplies, and suggest that Americans use T-shirts, scarves, handkerchiefs or any other spare fabric to make homemade masks to cover their noses and mouths.
On Saturday I thought about the errands I need to run this week, including a trip to the grocery store. I thought I could use one of my old bandannas as a mask. But then my voice of self-protection reminded me that I, a black man, cannot walk into a store with a bandanna covering the greater part of my face if I also expect to walk out of that store. The situation isn’t safe and could lead to unintended attention, and ultimately a life-or-death situation. For me, the fear of being mistaken for an armed robber or assailant is greater than the fear of contracting Covid-19…
To read the entire article from The Guardian, click https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/apr/07/black-men-coronavirus-masks-safety
