I enjoy the air and the wind on my face, making faces, free speaking, when I walk alone or with my partner in the streets and woods in my neighbourhood, or when I work or dance in the attic at home.
I observe how different that feels when I wear a mask, when my glasses steam up, when I feel my out-breath on my face, and when the mask moves while I speak or pant after some exercise. That moving is more easy and free without mask than with. That in a previous life, a mask seemed preposterous.
I am aware that I can't tell whether I am infected or not. That I only would be able to tell if I suffer strongly from it. That in my current life with its limited number of contacts, chances are very low that I would have the virus in me. And that my mask would only offer little protection against a virus spread by someone else.
And yet I wear the mask gladly when I come together with other people. It is my little contribution to the wellbeing of everybody around me. It is my sign of caring for my fellow human beings, with those who are physically weaker or those who have bad luck, or those working in health care or in public places.
Today I choose freely to wear my face mask whenever I go to places where many people gather in my neighbourhood (where I live, work, dance). It nourishes my connection with our society, of which I am an inextricable part.