Dear Friend,
I want to address something that has been weighing heavily on my heart. Wearing masks does not make us “sheeple.” Your belief that mask mandates violate your personal freedoms is deeply frustrating to me, and I feel compelled to explain why.
On Christmas day, I took my toddler and drove to my aunt’s house. As we passed through the beautifully adorned streets, we stopped at the only dark house on the block. My aunt’s husband had passed away that morning due to complications from COVID-19. His van still sat in the driveway, and I placed a bouquet of flowers at their gate, tears streaming down my face. I wished I could comfort my aunt in her grief, but with the circumstances, that was impossible. This was not how she envisioned spending Christmas as a widow, and it certainly wasn’t how any of us expected to celebrate.
It has been nearly a year since my son has had any semblance of normal life. Since the first stay-at-home order in L.A. County, he has been mostly confined to our home. To protect him, I took an unpaid leave from my job. My son is at risk for severe illness from COVID-19; he has viral-induced asthma, meaning that even a simple cold can lead to serious respiratory issues for him.
In his short three years, he has visited the emergency room more times than both my husband and I combined. His numerous treatments have resulted in extensive dental issues due to the steroids required to manage his condition. During an asthma flare-up, I’ve had to administer nebulizer treatments around the clock, and when those fail, it means yet another trip to the hospital.
My fear doesn’t stem solely from the pandemic; it has existed since my son was a baby. One evening, I rushed him to the emergency room, convinced something was terribly wrong. His lips were blue, and he was unresponsive. The doctors acted swiftly, and thankfully, he received the urgent care he needed. That moment changed everything for me.
Now that he’s three, he recognizes the signs of his asthma and asks for his inhaler when needed. He can articulate what he’s feeling, and it breaks my heart when he tells me it feels like he’s dying. I wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone.
As I lay with him at night, he asks, “Have the germs gone away yet?” It’s a question he asks every night, longing for the companionship of his cousins. I tell him, “Not yet, baby. Soon.” I can’t shield him from everything, but I can do my best to keep him safe.
In closing, I urge you to reconsider your stance. If respecting life goes against your beliefs, I challenge you to reflect on that. If you care about me, please do your part to protect those who are vulnerable, like my son. Wearing a mask isn’t about being a Karen; it’s about being a responsible human being.
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Summary:
This heartfelt letter addresses the challenges faced by a mother of a child with asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the emotional toll of the virus on families, especially those with vulnerable members. The writer pleads with a friend to reconsider their anti-mask stance and emphasizes the importance of protecting those at risk.
Keyphrase: Anti-masker friend letter
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