Today, I spent time with a man who was gassing on about how covid is really no worse than the flu, that his personal liberties under attack, that wearing a mask is an infringement of his rights. The usual nonsense, in other words.

Rather than get into it with the guy, I told him a story. The story was about a friend of mine, whose son has a congenital kidney disease. His condition has been successfully managed for many years, but he is in decline.

He was scheduled for transplant surgery in early April. (His father is the donor.) His surgery has been delayed but will happen as soon as it's safe. Following surgery, he will be on immunosuppressive drugs for six months to a year.

The boy's name is Trevor. He is 17, the same age as my son.

I told the guy, "You know, I hear what you're saying. But for me, this really isn't so complicated. Just do what I do. Wear a mask for Trevor."

Which pretty much shut him right up.