An Ugly Side Of Society Has Been Unmasked, Part 19

This takes place a few months into the health crisis. I have chronic medical issues, so I wear masks if I have to go out. A longtime friend — a nurse! — has picked up on every conspiracy theory with lightning speed and posted about it on social media. One day, after seeing a particularly vitriolic post about ”face diapers” and “sheeple,” I message her.

Me: “Hey, I’d like to remind you that you do have a friend with chronic illness. I wear a mask when I go out now because I don’t want to catch this. That doesn’t make me a sheep.”

Friend: “Oh, [My Name], I was just venting. I understand that you need to wear a mask, and if I were around you, I’d wear one, too. I know you have medical issues, so I want to protect you.”

Me: “I appreciate that. Until the crisis is over, maybe you could pretend everyone is like me and wear a mask to protect them, too.”

She hasn’t talked to me since.

Related:
An Ugly Side Of Society Has Been Unmasked, Part 18
An Ugly Side Of Society Has Been Unmasked, Part 17
An Ugly Side Of Society Has Been Unmasked, Part 16
An Ugly Side Of Society Has Been Unmasked, Part 15
An Ugly Side Of Society Has Been Unmasked, Part 14