Okay. I don’t like generalizing. And this is just simple observation from two brief trips to get groceries. I don;t even like saying it and please remember that I come from poverty in a very ‘redneck’ community.

But it was a bit surprising...1/

And I am curious about the experiences of other people.

First, it seems like fewer people are wearing masks. To be close to family, I live in a town with little diversity, mostly retired people.

So, the last couple trips to the grocery store, I paid attention...

2/

...to who was wearing masks.

Now, Oregon votes liberal, usually. But that’s the cities. The small towns, including mine, tend to skew more conservative. And we are told all the time, correctly, that Fox News viewership skews very, very old. Fair enough. 3/

But at least at the only large grocery/department store in my town, it could not be more apparent that the difference between who wore masks and who didn’t seemed to be primarily age related.

Fox News or not, older people were we wearing masks and younger people were not. 5/

And of course I messed up the thread numbering.

Anyway, over and over, the older people were wearing masks and engaging in social distancing. Younger people seemed to pay zero attention, especially guys. And I didn’t;t see a single kid wearing a mask. 5/

Not one. And they were allowed to behave however they wanted, seeming.

I suspect financial status may have also had an impact, but the age thing was undeniable.

Now, two visits in a small town is barely even anecdotal.

BUT.

6/

If older people are watching Fox all day, which consistently mocks social distancing and safety, why are they the ones wearing the masks and practicing social distancing?

And the vast majority of media aimed at younger people are telling them to wear masks and being ignored. 7/

I’m curious what that all might mean.

Does it mean the media has less influence in the world when it comes to daily existence than we think? I know older people are at higher risk, but they also seemed to me more concerned about potentially infecting others. 8/

Is it self-preservation for the seniors, or a stronger sense of empathy or community?

It’s weird, because these are the same people who often vote against those values locally in particular.

And why would young people feel immune, particularly with kids?

9/

I am trying to not bring any bias to this...I don’t have a conclusion or an agenda. It just seems contrary to what we are being told from a lot of the media.

In a city, in a college town, it may be exactly the opposite.

What are you experiencing wear you live?

Curious to know.

Again, apologies for the typos, was typing on my iPad in a hurry.