OPINION

MIKE MASTERSON: In checkout line

Thoughtless cougher

Medical reader-friend John Bomar of Hot Springs wrote to describe his experience in the local grocery store the other day. Sadly enough, it only takes a few experiences like his encounter to trigger potential health consequences to many in this sensitive time.

While shopping, Bomar said he became aware of and alarmed at the level of concern and fear, the likes of which he hasn't seen in his lifetime. Then he became philosophical.

"In many ways we aspiring angels locked in these two-legged monkey-men suits are 'swimming' in a psychic bowl beyond our seeing or hearing, yet we see and 'hear' much of that which is about us. Thus, like in an aquarium filled with water, we are personally affected by the psychic 'atmosphere' about us, and probably more than we think.

"I cannot imagine how it is for those who have no spiritual foundation," he continued. "No sense of connection to their source, their God. And the great irony is that atheists and agnostics probably suffer much more during times like this that try our souls.

"I have read that 'fear is forgetting that God is.'"

Bomar also reminded that where we human beings see great fear, we also find great anger, both of which walk the same emotional path.

He said that in the store that morning he watched a woman appearing to be in her mid-60s who was coughing into an area without covering her mouth. "In my checkout line I thought, 'Woman! Haven't you got a lick of sense?' So I spoke up and told her in no uncertain terms to cover her mouth if she was coughing. And I didn't say please politely as mama taught us to do.

"She said she was 'not coughing' just after she was passing by me and coughing in my direction. Everyone in line took a step backwards.

"I swear, I'm about ready to get a mask and put it on when in public. Especially after the absolutely and completely profound stupidity of this morning's 'coughing woman' episode. Is that paranoia or what?"

He also recalled his mother, who told him life is too important to take too seriously. "This morning gave me an opportunity to practice what she preached. But I did disinfect my nose and mouth when I got home."

You might want to consider a pair of gloves to go with that mask, John. Just sayin'.

Creative outlets

With kids out of school and so many families thrown together 24/7 behind the walls of their homes, it's good to see some parents finding creative diversions other than cell phones, laptops and TV.

I read that one mother created an indoor obstacle course consisting of furniture and pillows where the kids could measure each other's performances. It was a resounding hit.

Another posting on social media told of creating a cardboard-and-duct-tape house with long hallways and different rooms, even with windows, that filled half the family garage.

Others introduced their children to various art projects, or had them read books geared for their ages and interests.

My daughter, Anna, wrote the other day to say she'd received The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs from Amazon. She gave it to her 12-year-old son Trenton and his friend J.J., who has been staying with them through the quarantine, thinking--boys being boys--they'd simply ignore it.

So she was surprised to see them pick it up and actually begin planning the morning's breakfast, consisting of blueberry pancakes from scratch with sausage and bacon.

In attempting to figure out the process, the conversation between them as they followed directions was hilarious as she quietly listened, as mothers are prone to do. Here's just part.

J.J.: "OK, it says we need some bakin' soda."

Grandson Trenton: "Dude, they don't even make soda with bacon in it!"

Later, this exchange:

J.J.: "Trent, do you have powder?"

Trenton: "Ya, it's in the bathroom. Why do you need powder right now? We are cooking!"

J.J.: "Well, the book says powder."

Trenton: "J.J., that's baking powder, dude."

Remarkably, their breakfast turned out delicious after discovering the box of baking soda in the pantry.

Transforming society

Imagine how this viral epidemic will alter many things about our lives in the future, from working at home to ordinary routines of takeout and delivery at restaurants to generating a ready supply of needed medical supplies such as ventilators, masks and gowns to be available when the next outbreak hits our nation.

I'm betting this experience will prove transformative to society in many ways we haven't yet imagined.

Now go out into the world and treat everyone you meet exactly like you want them to treat you.

------------v------------

Mike Masterson is a longtime Arkansas journalist, was editor of three Arkansas dailies and headed the master's journalism program at Ohio State University. Email him at [email protected].

Editorial on 03/31/2020

Upcoming Events