Take 'em off!

 

October 15, 2022

Warm, Hot, Hotter! And as usual, it's not the heat, it's the humidity!  

“Who was that masked man?” ~ from just about every Lone Ranger episode from my childhood. 

Okay, the "Take 'em off!" title of this post doesn't refer to the DH's towel & trunks. It's about the reversal of the mask mandate on board ship. 

Each day, we saw fewer and fewer guests wearing masks on the Eurodam. It was sort of a quiet rebellion, not pitching a fit, not grumbling or complaining (at least not in public), but steadfastly refusing to strap on the N95 muzzles. in ever increasing numbers. We all still received notes in our cabin mail slot urging everyone to comply, but more and more people seemed to be “round filling” the notices and ignoring the "Mask Required" signs scattered throughout the ship. 

Then, this morning the captain came on the intercom to announce that he’d spoken to the "head office" and they agreed to the end of the masking requirement--as if it hadn't already been effectively ended by the majority of guests. And best of all, this no-mask policy  applied not only to guests, but the crew as well. 

And as happy as I was about this new development, crew members were twice as thrilled. Our cabin steward Amoy was so glad to be able to smile at us face to face. At the Lido Market, some of the ladies ladling out food from behind the counter actually started singing as they worked. I honestly don’t know how there were able to be so productive while having to wear those hellacious N95 masks. 

Of course, if anyone wishes, they can still wear a mask. That is their choice and I support them in it. But I am thrilled to be able to enjoy a more normal cruising experience without trying to inhale through three layers of an N95 mask. 

Everything is so much easier with enough oxygen. I can walk faster, connect with others better and put together more coherent sentences. 

Life is just better with unimpeded breathing.