Worst Side Effect of the Vaccine: I Am Now an Anti-Masker Republican... Kinda
Disclaimer: Before I begin I would like to make it clear that I am not actually an anti-masker. I still wear my mask fully over my mouth and nose everywhere I go just to be safe, including outdoor locations unless I am eating. The purpose of this article is to say that I no longer want to and while prior to my vaccine I wanted to wear a mask for safety of both myself and others, now I feel no need to. But I still do! And you should too in case there is still a possibility to transfer the virus to an unvaccinated individual.
Following receiving my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, I was afraid I would spend the following day feeling absolutely terrible: chills, fevers, stomach pains, appetite loss, headache, etc. To my pleasant surprise, I was completely symptom free. I woke up the next morning without any pain, besides the inevitable slight ache in my left arm. Though I thought the possibility of side effects was gone two days following my shot, after my two week mark, I approached a far scarier side effect: I no longer wanted to wear a mask. I now feel like an anti-masker republican.
Through the entirety of the pandemic, I have maintained strict safety protocols; always wearing a mask unless inside my house, alway staying a safe distance, limiting traveling, never eating at restaurants inside, and getting COVID tests regularly. I was always certain about wearing a mask and the thought of not doing so never crossed my mind. In fact, I harshly judged those who were maskless; I would go as far as to call employees out when they were not wearing a mask at a store with masking policies and gave insufficient tips to servers, who despite mandatory mask mandates, neglected to wear the protective gear. I frowned upon people wearing a mask under their nose and questioned how people could neglect these small but important health sacrifices for both themselves and others.
But, today I find myself not wanting a mask at all. I want to rip it off my face in excitement, claiming “I AM VACCINATED AND HATE MASKS!” And while these desires run deep, I still have a few apprehensions against getting rid of the mask and showing my face to the world again.
My most logical fear is that, despite my vaccination and the decrease in COVID-19 cases in the United States, it is still not scientifically proven that I could not transmit the disease to an unvaccinated individual and cause them to be symptomatic.
My second apprehension in removing my mask comes from the fact that I am so used to it. This piece of cloth hanging from my face from two loop shaped strings has become a part of my life—of me. I coordinate my masks with my outfits and I never wear makeup below my eyes anymore because the mask neglects that need. It is almost like a blanket you have when you are a little kid; you have used it so much and it has acted as such a source of protection for you that giving it up, even though you know it is the right thing, seems impossible. I have grown attached to this safety measure and cannot imagine living without it.
By far my biggest fear in not wearing a mask is people may think I am an anti-masker-republican-rumper who does not believe in the Coronavirus and argues, “but the death rate is so low so who cares!” I cannot imagine receiving stares in the grocery store because people believe these terribly untrue things about me. I think I would rather keep my mask on.
As vaccines continue to roll out and CDC guidelines continue to dwindle, I will continue to evaluate whether masks are necessary for me. As of right now, I feel that in spaces where everyone is vaccinated, I will be maskless, but in public spaces where this fact is unknown my COVID-19 liberal symbol will remain plastered to my face.
By Ruby Kaufman