How Wearing a Face Mask, or Not, Became the Dumbest Culture War - 2020-06-25

In mid-May, as the coronavirus death toll ticked up toward a tragic 100,000 souls, I read a book in my neighborhood park. I wore a mask, kept to myself, and tried to find pleasure in the the warm air I inhaled through a layer of cotton. I did not enjoy having my lips marinate in carbon dioxide and spittle, but hey—at least I was breathing on my own.
A man materialized in front of me, wearing cargo shorts, a Bernie Sanders T-shirt, and no mask. "Take that off," he motioned to my red covering. "I want to see your face."
I shrugged off the regrettable new pickup line as a sign of the times and asked where his mask was. "Yeah, I don't do those," he said. I took my book and walked away.
Wikipedia cite:
{{cite news | first = Alaina | last = Demopoulos | title = How Wearing a Face Mask, or Not, Became the Dumbest Culture War | url = https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-wearing-a-face-mask-or-not-became-the-dumbest-culture-war?ref=home | work = Daily Beast | date = June 25, 2020 | accessdate = June 25, 2020 }}