The mandate has been lifted in Mississippi but most stores and businesses still require masks. In those that don’t, people still insist on wearing them. It’s remarkable but in a bad way. Local restaurants are opening indoor dining areas but national fast food restaurants..... nope. One of these companies will be the leader in reopening. The rest will be followers. Enough with the excuses. What good does it do to lift a mandate when businesses and the population insist on obeying mask mandates that are no longer imposed? Check on your favorite places. They will very likely disappoint you.
Lots of businesses in Mississippi are NOT recognizing the lift either. Big box stores. Fast food restaurants. Haven’t been to a bank but I bet the national ones aren’t recognizing the lift either. It’s good to go out daily (without a mask) just to make a point. Help give others the courage to take theirs off. Why is there a game called “Follow the Leader” and not one called “Lead the Followers?”
People can benefit from seeing courage in others. Businesses can benefit from realizing customers are people with minds to choose. They treat customers like given commodities. Was at Walmart other day (targeted maskless mission) and saw line after line of masked individuals waiting to check themselves out. Waiting to do all of the work for the business they are patronizing. No thank you. Tired of that. People don’t treat people as if they are fellow humans. It’s shocking.
Now shop at our locally-owned grocery store. People are super friendly. The cashiers are friendly. Everyone recognizes you as a fellow human. Eye contact. Greetings. And even “Hey! How are you today? Can I help you find something?”
WOW! What a difference!
I’d love to see the local grocery store return to helping deliver groceries to people’s cars again. Even if it’s just on one Saturday a month. Would love to see business make an effort to humanize our society. People could even volunteer to do it. Something. Enough of sterile (at best) interactions at these businesses.
Many stores in Mississippi still require masks. They are not recognizing the statewide lift. Fast food places... the same. Dining areas closed. They are still controlling people. I called the corporate office of one particular restaurant chain. I am very disappointment in them, in particular. I expected more from them.
Understand people’s frustration. Surely people have considered the emotions and dreams of the actual people involved. Real people. Real lives. Real families. Q, do you hear us? We are people’s mamas and daddies and brothers and sisters. We are your neighbors and friends. Q, have you been brave as we have thought? Have you been truthful? Are you human? Someone’s mama or daddy? Somebody’s brother or sister? Someone’s neighbor or friend?
I’m sorry. You didn’t fail. You tried your best. That’s all you can do. I tried with my parents but they, too, chose differently. They are in the 80s. Thankfully, they haven’t seemed to have had any side effects. I hear you. God bless you for trying! ?