We have hidden smiles, facial expressions, double chins, and so much more. At last the mask comes off. Of course, we will breathe better. But will we be better for it?
The experience has not been the same for everyone. For some, it has been almost a respite, for others a source of sorrow. For investors, the last year has been extraordinary with unprecedented returns. For others, it has been a financial catastrophe and source of ongoing anxiety. Unlike 9/11, this experience has not brought us together, but has made us more isolated. It has accentuated differences, political and otherwise.
On the day after the CDC announcement that those who had been vaccinated could responsibly go without masks, I went maskless into a store. The young clerk was wearing a mask. I was apologetic. “Don’t worry,” she sweetly said. “My parents don’t wear masks either.” And then I found myself wanting to distinguish myself from her parents. It gave me something to think about.
Taking our masks off is a symbol that suggests being honest with one another rather than confrontive, empathetic rather than judgmental. It may be marked by a greater appreciation for things previously taken for granted. It may even suggest looking more for ways to connect with others rather than simply pointing out differences. It is a renewed openness to others created by self-exposure and vulnerability. It shouldn’t be misunderstood as taking the gloves off.
Perhaps this is a time for new resolutions as we enter a new chapter of life together. In a world that needs bridges to be built, we can each make a contribution, reaching across divisions, including and engaging people who have a different experience of life from ourselves. Once the masks are off, it simply requires respect, curiosity, and the willingness to listen.
