I wear this mask
For my mom
Whose fear of germs explains everyone else’s today.
I stay at home
In solidarity with this terminal generation
That is truly sick and needs the support
I wash my hands
For my neighbors
Who rub their eyes and touch everything in isle nine as I do
I stay six feet away
For small businesses
That welcome slitting each other's wrists
My family won’t be getting the shot any time soon
Others deserve it far more than we do
It would sicken us, and we would be forever changed, if it were any other way
Most importantly, we order take out
For family and friends to be safe from pathogens
And to slow the spread of this virus
Just kidding
We never order take out
We regularly go to the restaurants that don’t harass us for not wearing masks