Mask Mandate: Law or Temporary Fix?

In early May 2021, our family took a snorkeling vacation before the summer crowds. We got a great deal flying into Miami and drove to the Keys to stay in some cute little motels. We loved seeing the many-colored fish and beautiful coral growing in bright purples, pinks, yellows, and greens in the healthier reefs.

This year, according to our boat captain, the ocean was even more beautiful due to the global pandemic having reduced boat traffic for several months, thus reducing pollution. Maybe he was right. The water was crystal clear, allowing us to see some amazing sharks and a squadron of stingrays. 

After our heavenly visit, we had to fly home. Like everyone else, we again donned our mandated face masks before entering the airport. We waited at the gate to board the airplane. Then, we settled into our seats on board while waiting for the requisite emergency speech. 

Suddenly, a flight attendant announced that the "new" federal mandate required us to wear our masks covering our noses and mouths the entire time traveling. She said we should wear them unless we were actively eating or drinking. 

Then, she said that noncompliance would be considered a federal crime with legal consequences.

I had no idea not observing a federal mandate was a criminal offense. My husband and I are mild-mannered, law-abiding citizens. Before COVID-19, we already practiced considerate hygiene. To me, complying with the mandates was a simple courtesy. But the flight attendant's statement raised a few questions: Was not wearing a mask breaking the law? If so, what were the consequences? Would there be jail time, records, fines, what?  

Out of curiosity, I quickly searched for the federal mandate she mentioned. Of course, I did not have time to do a thorough search before I had to put my phone away, so I shrugged it off and sat with my mask on my face as required. About halfway through the flight, the attendant offered refreshments. 

This is where the story gets a little nutty.

She rolled her cart to our seats, politely asking me what I wanted to drink and whether I wanted cookies or nuts. I pulled down the flight tray before me, pulled off my mask, smiled, and said, "Coke Zero, please, and both snacks, if I can have them." I intended to put the extra snack in my bags for later. I took the snacks she handed me, opened the nuts, and laid them on the tray. While I was doing this without a mask, she filled the cup with ice, grabbed a Coke Zero from the cabinet, and leaned toward me to hand them to me. 

As I reached toward her for the proffered drink, she withdrew the items in mid-transfer, suddenly, exclaiming loudly, "Ma'am, put your mask back on and wait until I am finished. There is no need for you to have your mask off!"

The way she withdrew the drink reminded me of times when a friend would jokingly hand me something and then withdraw it while I reached for it. So, I thought to myself, "Surely, she is just messing with me." But her masked face was deadly serious. Her body language was intimidating, standing tall, chest out, chin jutted out, and head leveled at me with her angry eyes narrowed. I was afraid to show any objection, physically or verbally! Her forceful, authoritative demeanor and loud voice carried to everyone sitting nearby. 

Everyone around us turned to look at whom she was scolding so loudly. I was dumbfounded and very embarrassed. She had handed me the snacks already and was literally handing me my drink. In less than two seconds, I would have eaten a nut from the opened package, poured the drink, and taken a sip! It was time to have my mask off. But she stood there, glaring at me like I was a willful child, waiting until I put my mask back on in front of her. 

So, baffled and embarrassed, I put my mask back on. 

Later, as I sat there drinking and eating the now tasteless snack, I realized I was seething in anger. My heart rate was faster, my clenched jaw ached. 

It is my nature to examine myself in any conflict: Had I broken the law? Had I not complied with the mandate? Had I truly done something wrong to deserve this embarrassment? Did I have a bad motive? Or was I treated unjustly? Was she making an example of me? Should I have reacted more assertively to her forceful treatment which came across as bullying? 

Later, I researched the concept of federal mandates. What I learned you may already know, but that is for the next installment of this article.  

For now, I would be interested to know how you might have handled this experience, as well as what your thoughts are about how I handled it.