Update: March 13th 2026My loved one is recovering fine from Gall Bladder surgery..
We've been doing our masked walks a few days in row...
Insofar as masking around her and masking in the rooms she occupies for almost two weeks straight Ive done fine...
I did start to falter with food the last few days. Typically I would microwave a plate of food and take it back to my room and wash my hands and take off my mask eating in a private room but I failed in a sense just the the last few days by eating a couple plates of food without microwaving it first. So technically I failed at taking all precations for the full 2 weeks(for that 14 day covid incubation period). If she had somehow contracted covid its possible I could get covid from eating those dishes. Except for the last three days with eating some food she prepared without really nuking it in the microwave, I have continued to mask around her and in the rooms she occupied. This seems kind of stupid on my part to skimp on nuking my meals the last three days since Ive been so good about doing everything else so I won't let that happen again.
She's doing great no signs of having gotten any airborne illness or airborne disease after her hospital surgery and three more days and I can take my mask off when I'm around her.
Overall I have been successful masking and still carrying on with her...I guess it also helps to think I'm in training and that from this experience I'll be in good practice to mask around her again after I take her to the dentist. Its not easy but the longer one does it, the more natural it feels. Overall the experience gives me confidence I can mask again for the net possible exposure she might have.
Later folks.. now in an n95 mask for another evening I go sit in the easy chair and watch tv. She is doing well and is writing stories for substack on her little computer.
She has a checkup in a couple days. I'd say we are doing pretty good. I've only gotten stronger for having masked around her to be on the safe side. I am glad I am masking to be on the safe side. Using the mask keeps me in a favorable position where I can continue to be strong for us
It takes a certain kind of discipline to mask inside your own home around loved ones but then again its a such a great skill to have and power to have. Other animals can't do that for themselves. It's pretty priceless to be able to control the odds as to whether one might get sick or not by being able to wear a mask... masking a great tool to to ensure safety and being able to secure one health. I didn't have anybody else that would take care of me just incase she brought home a virus and got me sick from the hospital(even though we masked at the hospital and the doctors and nurses were ordered to mask).. there was and is no one that will help me if I got sick.. so I had to mask anyway.
Anyway its all in a day's work because Ive' masked outside my home anyway for over six years now with success. In three days I'll be able to unmask around my loved one again in our home but things are hard enough as they are, ain't no way I'm giving up my masking outdoors and outside the home! My idea is we don't just mask because we are weak or vulnerable.. we mask to maintain whatever strength we got. We mask outside and publicly to keep and maintain whatever health we have.
Gotta tell ya my reality is nobody is going to come to my aid in a mask and help me. when it comes down to it, there's nobody I know but me to protect myself with a mask. Maybe someday that will change.. I hope so but I'm masking just the same whether that day comes or not. My masked way of life is working for me so far. My dream is meet, collaborate and work with other maskers someday in a safe well thought out manner when it makes sense to. The way things are going for the world I am sure over time that will happen.
The Masked Man
P.S. another good day has passed and I just got back from a wonderful masked walk with my loved one.. we sat next to waterfall and contemplated the beauties of the water and the rocks and I even jumped on my bicycle and got some exercise in my mask as well.. I do this to prove to myself and others that the Masked Man and the Masked Woman aren't just sitting around depressed.. we wear masks and we live life to the fullest and happiest we can! We have no problem carrying on and enjoying life in our masks .. doesn't matter to us. We don't care what other people think about our masks as a matter of fact we think people are kind of stupid for not making and are somewhat judgmental of them.. at least I am. No hard feelings or anything but I am of the mind we are going to continue to be challenged by one pandemic after another..really as unpopular a view as it will be, I personally feel the pandemic has just begun... I am a scholar of sorts and I see patterns and indicators that point to lots of contagious illnesses happening...
...That's just me and my opinions..what really matters is I enjoy never getting sick over the last 6 years because of my masking habits(another way of putting it is there are only 52 weeks a year... and with the current illnesses and diseases and their long term repercussions going around nearly every season of the year I simply don't have to worry about that part of life because of my masking ...
I simply prefer being safe and masking to prevent airborne illnesses and airborne diseases that can compromise my immunity system and endanger my loved one's life who is has a decline in her immunity system due to age.. We are used to masking. Stay tuned ..in the making is another music video of our masked walk/ or time at the waterfall, and my masked bike ride! Have a great weekend!
Personal NOTE:UPDATE:March 14th 2026I just read:
"In rare cases, covid symptoms can show up after 14 days. Researchers think this happens with about 1 out of every 100 people."
MAN!That's one vicious disease! So even after 14 days of masking around loved one there's still that tiny chance of getting covid!? Can you imagine?!
Today was tough because all last night I guess I had allergies. I used some nose spray... So today my nose is running in my mask. Then neighbor's burning brush so smoke is entering my home. I yelled a few profanities (probably not helpful) I avoided conflict however(Ive called firefighters before and there is nothing they can do) and I cleaned all filters and now and using air conditioner and couple air purifiers and I think its working so that's good. Nose still running but whatever, we take what precautions ..not exactly sure what allergies are so bad but of course it could be worse. Maybe its the smoke ..Haven't quite pinpointed why but its Very typical allergic reaction after spending tons of time outside even in my mask.. maybe its allergens..I had binged on a ton of cheese and whole milk last night as well,,, maybe I even wore the disposable n95 mask too long. Ive gotten a fresh mask and do what I usually do to make whatever triggered allergies subside. Set of musty clothes? All I know is in the evening my nose felt congested I used some nose spray and my nose has been running a little just like allergies.. otherwise I lifted some weights and feel fine...Every now and then I get allergies around damp plumbing or when I eat the wrong things like lots of cheese and whole milk so that's likely what it is.. I guess one thing could offset and trigger allergies..I'm not really that great at keeping room clean and vacuumed and dust free that's for sure.. probably a combination of everything I do wrong.. I'll probably be good in a day so now I work on music video while loved one seems safe in her air-conditioned room to watch tv... Sometime the world really eats at ya and gets to ya and so today I will stay busy with something positive and artistic for myself to get through the dooldrums we all feel time to time.
Last time I got allergies I spent the day outside ...I mowed the grass.. did extra outdoor work and then exercised on my bicycle.. I did this all in my mask but still ended with allergies for about a day afterwards..I almost feel like I ended up with allergies because I didn't shower immediately after I mowed ... I guess from being outside too long when allergens and pollen are outside somehow they still get ya!... maybe the air conditioners and air purifiers I just cleaned up help... Maybe my clothes bandannas etc. bring in allergens.. sounds like its easy for allergens to seep in through the house.. I'm in the mountains surrounded by unkempt trees and there's lots of digging and construction work is not far aways .. I guess I better do some loads of laundry too... I dunno the neighbor's did stop burning brush maybe me having screamed a few choice words and profanities helped or maybe they just got sick of their own smoke... either way I'm still keeping my distance and gonna keep my cool.. ah there we go just threw yesterdays clothing that ha been outside yesterday into washer ... man , its always something!
Locally for me there is a lot of pollen in the air...
"Pollen levels are high and rising in North Carolina as of mid-March 2026, driven by a warm-up following a cold winter that has forced multiple tree species to pollinate simultaneously"
Here are the details regarding the allergen situation in North Carolina as of March 14, 2026:
Pollen Levels: Tree pollen is heavily affecting North Carolina, with reports of "high" levels in various parts of the state.
Trigger Factors: A significant, rapid warmup after a cold winter has accelerated the release of pollen from trees like cedar, elm, maple, and oak.
Regional Impact: The 2026 allergy season is particularly severe, with North Carolina facing high levels of pollen that are starting earlier each year.
Peak Timing: While pollen is currently high, the absolute peak of the spring pollen season—often called "The Pollening"—is expected to hit in late March to early April.
Common Symptoms: Many residents are experiencing typical spring symptoms, including itchy/watery eyes, runny noses, and sneezing.
Key Recommendations:
Check Daily Counts: Pollen counts are generally higher in the afternoon, often driven by wind and rising temperatures.
Minimize Exposure: Shower before bed to wash off pollen, and keep windows closed, especially during high-pollen days.
Medication: Start allergy medications early (or before) the peak season begins to better manage symptoms."
... wouldn't ya know it but just now I opened up a box from the UPS guy.. there's like eight different antihistamines and decongestants my loved one had ordered..to a guy who wears his mask so much this runny nose from allergens is like an insult! I'm not much into drugs but perhaps I'll try an antihistamine out and see what happens. ouch! I just cut my finger a little opening the childproof antihistamine bottle! Man! now I gotta go put some antibiotic creme on my little bloody finger! Ha! It's just ben one of those days.. sometimes it seems like the whole world is against ya but it could be far worse! my loved one just got through gall bladder surgery , came home the same day .. just turned 78 and she's doing fine! whew lol Ive got it good considering. As long as I don't make the mistake of turning the tv on and watching the world news I should be good the rest of the evening!
"Why has early pollen been so bad this year in the Carolinas?
A cold end to winter, combined with a surge of March warmth, has allowed for many trees to pollinate at the same time."
LINK:
https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/early-pollen-allergies-extreme-charlotte-north-carolina/275-e5d66630-b069-4ff8-a88c-8f565d3fdb2dUPDATE:March 14-15th 2026I guess the antihistamine and the decongestion medicine did the trick.my nose stopped running but I stayed up all night... I winded running up and down my street all night in my mask so angry at neighbors for having had burned brush earlier today and having that smoke enter my home from this morning.. I nearly lost it in anger... I finally stuck two pictures in their mailbox from when my loved one was bedridden in the hospital for her gall bladder surgery . I left a note saying please stop burning brush for my loved one written on the the pictures of her in the hospital bed. It was all I could do from losing my temper.. I just ran up and down the street all night in my mask dealing with the anger an frustration the best I could. I just had so much anger over the smoke I just had to jog back in forth all night in my mask up and down the road. Everybody deals with anger in their own way and I just ran in my mask up and down the road... that's was the only way I could deal with the stress of trying to control the world and the environment around me.
From my perspective five guys burning brush sometimes like burning 20 hours straight next to a 78 year old.. smoke collects in pockets of of home..that smoke permeates can't go outside or anything.. fire department won't do anything ..that creates a lot of inner rage. I admit at hollering and trying to get the guy to come down the hill to meet me in the street ...I won't get into details accept I left my left a couple pictures of my loved one in a hospital bed with a note on it saying "pray more loved one , she's all I got " and she can't handle the smoke. please stop burning brush. (I didn't have a choice but try to rattle their cage because its perfectly legal unless you go through court procedures and try to get air quality people to actually fight for you .. all I felt I could do was make a fuss and run up and down the road all night ranting and raving in protest making a show of bravado trying to convince the guy up on the hill I'm serious keeping him and him up all night hopefully just to give him something to think about.
They seriously don't care . Last time they burned brush my 78 year old loved one puked in the toilette while the fire department told me the guys had a burn permit. You gotta let that rage out somehow. The guy exchanged a few words with me last night but never come down the hill so I just ran all night back and forth.. nothing illegal about going for a jog eh?. What else is a protecter supposed to do? Mind you I was safe from airborne illness and airborne disease the whole time because had my mask on just incase anybody approached me.
My true hope is the neighbors will look at the pictures I stuck in their mailbox of my loved one in the hospital bed and think "Oh that looks like a relative of mine.. okay maybe we can just use a woodchopper instead and maybe burning wood isn't that great and won't win us any friends and I hope that older woman is alright and this place is smoke free for her"...
...Anyway that's how I spent my night and insofar as allergies go my nose isn't running anymore so I guess the decongestant and antihistamine did the trick with the allergens going on here in the High Country of North Carolina!
UPDATE:March 15-16th 2026First thing in morning mighty tempted at first to just have cup of coffee in living room without mask and then not worry if loved one entered room... what's one day give or takeI entertained the thought for a couple moments but then I quickly corrected myself and said to myself: it's stupid to mask for 13 days and then skip that final glorious 14th day! Its a 14 day incubation period for covid (it being extremely rare for the incubation period to be longer than 14 days) So right away I said this is crazy to not go all the way! To just mask for 13 days and not go that final 14th day would make me feel bad like I broke some law of nature like the law of covid's incubation period so I quickly got back to my room drank my coffee and slipped back on the n95 mask to re-enter rooms of loved one!
I also must add that once in the habit of doing something even masking that it simply feels awkward and uncomfortable not to keep dong it. It actually feels bad not to do something once you are in the habit of doing it.
I thought I was going to have to make a bicycle trip to pharmacy in some light rain today so I got everything ready then find out I didn't have to go. I decided to ride anyway for exercise so I wanted to test out my gear and just ride in the rain.. it was a masked bicycle ride of course and it was fun ... just riding through parking lots finding shortcuts to the greenway park and bike path and just cruising on my bicycle. I did it to stay sharp and just test out my jacket and helmet and mask in the rain. Its just good to stay sharp and keep moving with a groove!
Tomorrow I can stop masking around my loved one and the rooms she frequents and I can eat in the same quarters she is in. While I did initially dread knowing to feel safe during and after loved one's surgery that I was going to have to wear a mask around her and inside areas of home for about two weeks, Now I'm used to masking, psychologically prepared, and totally ready for the next time I have to mask around loved one incase of exposure to anything during surgery or dentistry work. I'm super in the habit.. it becomes routine like having to have the right pair of glasses or gloves or something for each activity.. it becomes habit... After two weeks its like nothing to mask for loved one to be on the safe side.
To be able to not wear mask around loved one won't be what most people expect... it will actually feel slightly awkward at first because one gets used to habit and routine. It will be nice of course but it won't actually feel like a big big deal to unmask. Again once one is in the habit and routine of anything they get used to it. Not having to wear the mask round loved one after two weeks will feel sort of like "ha! I don't have to wear these reading glasses for this book."
