Some of you wonder if I miss my therapy cat work. I really do, lots. I don’t know when I’ll get to do it again. It seems like this virus keeps spreading instead of being contained.
Dr. Bones hasn’t been home in months because of all the extra care patients need. If they weren’t already boney, he would have worked his fingers to the bone!
I know a lot of people have different opinions about this virus, and wearing a mask, but my human and I don’t listen to politics regarding this. We look to the experiences of the health care professionals who are working directly with people who have it. And from what they are saying, it will be a long time before we can go back to hospital visits.
It’s awful, when simple things like wearing masks and social distancing are demonized because they really are helpful. My human wears a mask, not because she’s afraid of catching the virus. For avoiding contagion, masks actually aren’t all that helpful. Social distancing, staying away from gatherings, and washing hands are the things that help with that. What masks can do is stop you from spreading your germs to other people. And quite often, this virus is asymptomatic. If you do start feeling sick, you have had it for a while. Wearing a mask is a responsible act, and an act of caring, not one of fear. Please don’t let anyone tell you different.
So my human always wears a mask when she is out. And she even wears one at home, when the plumber or other workers come over too and she’s talking to them. I can’t wear them, though! Kitties sense the world a lot through their whiskers, and the mask totally gets in the way. Lola’s human had this nice lady send me a couple of masks, but I really had a problem wearing them. I tolerated this one for about a second or two. You humans don’t have whiskers that sense the world around you (only fashion whiskers, on some of the guy humans). So you have no excuse.
My human felt bad about making me wear the mask for this photo session, so when we were done with it, she put a dress on me and had me do some tricks. That made me purr!
Way late and behind, but I have to comment to say YES! Wear the mask…its a public service that anyone and everyone should do, exactly for what you said…to keep yourself from spreading virus and maybe other germs to those you pass by.
Petcretary and pawppy have masks of various colors to match what they wear, (MOL!), and *she* wears a headband with buttons to keep her ears more comfy…esp at her work, she has to wear one of those N95 masks and they sure are tight and make the work so much more unbearable, but she keeps it on…and the residents have them on too when they leave their rooms, well those who comply, peeps with dementia are not always understanding of these things…they leave them on for a wee bit longer than you do, Summer, and then off they come, but since we are virus free in there, we are just keeping them safe from us.
My peeps even wear them at church, and it makes singing hard, but they stay on…our building is large enough for our small congregation to be able to attend and still maintain the 6 foot distance between family groups.
Hope that eventually you will be able to do your passion, Summer, you do such wonderful things for the patients you visit.
What a wonderful posting Summer. Our mom works in the health care field for animals and is a firm believer of wearing masks. She does this not for herself but for others. She’s used to it anyway working in the OR all day long. Mom’s a surgery technician and sterility is a must for them ALWAYS. Thank you for such a meaningful post. And a big thanks to your mom for wearing a face mask too. It won’t be forever, it’s only temporary. Plus there’s so many cute “cat” themed masks out there to choose from. Mom get’s hers from Whiskerscrafts. Support small business and do the right thing…wear a cat mask. Purrs
Your little mask is cute, even if you can only wear it as a neckerchief.
You do look cute in your mask, but we understand that it would be uncomfortable with your whiskers, Summer!
Too cute for some silly mask <3
Summer, you and your human are spot on! our mom is still going to work and has to wear a mask there plus will any time she is shopping. She really limits where she goes.
That is a shame you are missing your therapy visits through all of this. We hope there is some way in the future that you will be able to do them again.
minnie, hollie, sharpie, ditto, TL
We wish mask wearing wasn’t so politicized and was enforced. Around here, the humans are supposed to wear masks when out in public places but it’s not enforced so many humans don’t bother. It really makes the mom mad because she says we’ll never get back to some sort of normal this way.
This is a very responsible post, Summer. My humans always wear masks when they go out and around the condo common area too since there have been infections. Around here guys with facial fur feel they don’t have to wear masks. They have the IQ of an amoeba. The peeps always say that wearing a mask isn’t a political statement; it’s an IQ test. Only the cool people wear masks. Be cool.
I hope you’re able to get back to your hospital visits sooner than anyone thinks, Summer. I have to say, here in Vermont we’ve been extremely fortunate through this whole nightmare. Living in a small area definitely has its perks.
We bet you do miss your visits as much as the humans miss seeing you Summer.
Mum’s sister made masks for mum. There is a pocket where you can put extra filters(cloth)
to make then protect the wearer more.
Generally, masks protect other people so if everyone wears one,everyone is protected 🙂
Too bad more people do not wear them.We are lucky as our province has had no new cases for 2 weeks then there were 2 cases from 2 people that travelled outside our province.
We really like your mask Summer, but happy you don’t need to wear it 😉
Purrs,Georgia and Julie
Being higher risk I rarely go out, but if I do I always wear a mask. I had to have a blood test this morning and they had disposable masks for anyone not wearing them. They also did a temperature check before I could go in.
I have no idea why this is a political issue. I do wear a mask but I don’t like it. I find it difficult to breathe.
Very important post, Summer!
Summer, just seeing you trying to wear a mask is a good reminder to all of us. Our huMom wears a mask when she goes out too. Purrs !
#1 completely agrees with your human. For info, the US has more than 50 times as many COVID deaths per capita as Japan. You guessed… The Japanese wear masks.
Purrs,
Tama and Genji
In Sweden, masks are scoffed at. No one is wearing them but expats, and Swedes actually harass mask-wearers. I haven’t had too many problems, but I get stared at, and one guy yelled “NO CORONA” at me. I have asthma, so I am afraid of catching the virus. I only go out once or twice a week, and I get so stressed out…But at least they aren’t politicised. People just think it’s useless.
You do look very cute in your mask, even though you can’t wear it. I know this is hard on you especially, being used to being around people so much.
Your mask is adorable, Summer! I can see why you don’t like wearing it though. Masks are not fun. I wear one too when I am out and among people. Like your human, I’m not afraid of the virus (I probably already had it), but I like people to feel comfortable when they are around me.
You look so cute in your mask. I am sorry you won’t get to do your visits for quite a while. I agree with your human about masks. My hubby and I wear them everywhere for our safety and for those around us. When this is over, I may still choose to use masks during cold and flu season.
If MK and DK go out, they wear them. No question. And MK grumbles when she sees stupid peeps NOT wearing them in public. She’s going through a lot of hand lotion, too, from all the hand-washing! MOL
But we want them safe so they can take care of us … so .. PETS SUPPORT MASKS!
Purrz!
Selina
Our peeps always wear masks when and if they go out, but they don’t go out much. They wear one when a worker human shows up too. We don’t understand no wear one to protect others.
I wear mask, too. I hope the virus will be under control..though it doesn’t seem to happen any time soon.
This is a very impawtent post Summer! Humans need to wear their masks.
We’re glad we cats don’t have to wear masks! Mom has quite a few masks and…no surprise…they all have cats on them.
The Florida Furkids
You are so precious, Summer. Your human is right to be wearing that mask no matter how uncomfortable it is. I’m sorry you’re not able to make hospital visits right now but hopefully will be in the not so distant future. I know your patients miss you as much as you miss them!! Please stay safe and healthy and take good care of your human!! Love you, sweet Summer!
Mom is wearing a mask. It is the right thing to do. We are sorry you are missing your therapy visits. We know you enjoy them and people love seeing you.
Summer, I was in the hospital waiting room for hours and hours on Monday, and I wore my mask the whole time!
Thank goodness, there was a nice bench outside, where I went to sit to eat my lunch and some snacks.
The hospital people were very, VERY nice, and I kept using hand sanitizer too.
Although Michigan has an increase in COVID-19 cases, the hospitalization rate still remains low, and the increase is only slight, thankfully. Guess lots of us are doing our part!
A wonderful blog and yes our family wears masks also and yes to protect other people is really the important thing and yes when people come to the house to do anything they usually have on a mask but they don’t come in the house ever. But thank you for writing this very very informative blog for those who think masks are silly.
My meowmy always wears her mask and daddy does too. He has to work so he has to be extra careful. Meowmy tried to put one on me to take a picture, but I was having no part of it. ……..Miss Lulu
It’s cute that you put on a “cat” mask – figures of cats.
I’m surprised you could stand it for even a moment for
a picture. I know you miss your therapy work and I’m
very sure the patients really miss you. I hope your
picture helps remind some of us to “wear a mask”.
Our city council had a 4 hour debate over a mask ordinance for businesses – they passed something with no enforcement, so basically a recommendation. It wuz on FB live, some of the comments were nuts!
We bet you miss your jobs [and all the attention they bring], Summer. There are some really small minded people out there who try to tell me therapy animals have to be dogs. Hmph. I promptly point them to your blog and that’s the end of their nonsense. You could make that your motto: “Changing people’s minds about cats, one [stupid] human at a time.” Maybe leave out the stupid part. Not because it’s not true …
Don’t cover that beautiful little face of yours <3