1/17 I’ve been kicked out of dozens of casinos, so getting booted from stores for ignoring the mask mandate does not move my blood pressure.

A thread on going maskless for 5 wks in the center of CV hysteria- MA. The why, approach, and response.

Spoiler-it hasn't gone poorly.

2/n Massachusetts left epidemic conditions a month ago (virus related deaths account for >7.2% of deaths). With > 40% natural immunity, and 34% fully and 54% one dose vaxed, it’s over. Except for those that don’t want it to be. We are in the theatre stage of the pandemic in MA.

3/n For most people, there will be trepidation on going maskless. What will happen?

Takes me back to Caesars Palace on my 2nd Vegas trip, a long time ago. I backcount into a blackjack game. Not much happens with the count, but 10 minutes later, there is a voice from behind me.

4/n “Sir, please take your chips and step away from the table.” My head slumps, my blood pressure rockets, and I realize that my plans to extract a fortune from the casinos is gone. The casino is too good at what they do.

I slowly grab my chips, and…

5/n …the guy directly to my right slides his chair back, turns around, and says to the casino manager glaring at him from behind, “I’m surprised it took you so long”.

He grabs his chips and quickly bolts out of the casino, chased by the manager and two security guards.

6/n I slowly stop hyperventilating. What was I worried about? My anxiety was vastly disproportionate to any risk posed by the situation.

Getting my ass tossed would have been an inconvenience. That’s it. I would’ve been back in a few months with a different look.

7/n Back to going maskless, same apprehension.

Why do I do it? I won’t debate the efficacy of masks here, but the data is in, and masks have made no difference anywhere, and sent many at-risk people into harm, with the belief that masks effectively protect them- per CDC.

8/n More importantly, masks have been the Jedi-mind trick of erasing critical thinking skills.

Top of the list, we have sacrificed the well-being of our children who are no risk from COVID, because “we” adults are afraid.

We have 2 yr olds masked and we sit by idly.

9/n It is over for me.

I will no longer be complicit in enriching the wealthy and sacrificing the young, low income, and minorities.

10/n Background- I see about 99.5% indoor masking in Massachusetts. I also see about 80% of masking completely useless- cloth, gaiter, or mouth/chin masks.

“Compliance” theatre in MA is enough here, as it is everywhere, and not questioned.

11/n Approach. Maskless everywhere except grocery and drug stores, which are essential. Casinos also, since there is no option for me.

Started maskless with a gaiter around my neck which I could pull up as needed, but I stopped, what good does my compliance do?

12/n Being polite is my protocol. Masking is a religion, and debating masks to an employee that is a believer is like talking them out of Jesus, just a lot harder. And almost all just are doing as they are told by the employer or savior. They are not an enemy and deserve respect.

13/n When accosted by the store’s "safety officers", I could argue a medical condition, prior immunity, or vax as a reason for being unmasked.

NOT doing that. Personally, I won’t lie about my purpose.

I’m just choosing to go maskless as a message, they need to know that.

14/n Results- I generally get asked to mask in stores (except Lowes etc).

Sir, can I give you a mask? “No, thank you.” (politely, and I walk away).
You have to wear a mask in the store- “No, I’m not wearing one.” (politely, and I walk away).

Surprisingly that usually ends it.

15/n No employee has harassed me beyond the initial encounter, but a few called the manager to find me. I explain that I won’t participate in the charade. If they insist, I grab my gaiter if I actually need something, or I wait for them to ask me to leave.

And I make them ask.

16/n @jhaskinscabrera- please keep up the great work you have been doing for 12 months, but I ask that the pressure be ratcheted up- #makethemanagerask.

This will get old quickly for businesses if you think about it.

Managers are likely to pass on this pretty fast.

17/n Biggest surprise- not a SINGLE customer out of 1000(?) has said anything, and double looks are rare?

I weirdly feel invisible.

I make the choice to avoid eye contact, since I think people may be challenged by that, but I am always aware of their lack of response.

18/n Cashier responses- 20% less friendly than expected, 30% normal, 50% seem more friendly with a surprising “have a nice day” at the end.

I don’t really understand this, other than maybe a complicity.

Bewildering, but empowering.

19/19 If you think that masks are elaborate theatre that lobotomizes rational thought, and enables the damage done to children and the less fortunate-

Don’t be part of the problem.

Take a stand.

Take it off.