So, real talk to American friends. Start wearing your masks outside on the sidewalk if you are not. Start wearing them outside if there are people meters away. Start wearing them inside your house if there are others there. Wear them. The new variant transmits readily.

A great deal of people I know all got the new variant all at once, at least one handful of people got it outside in a very legit allowed social distance park walk.

Don't mess with the heavy winter air. Two meters might not cut it.

I am saying this because I can tell from talking to people back home that it hasn't really hit everyone how different it is. It's very different.

And really, I say this to everyone. The new variant is a doozy. Don't get a Covid you don't have to. It's much easier to get.

For months and months in fall, even as numbers climbed, I didn't know anyone with Covid. Then I knew a dozen all at once. And now I know about a dozen more. Just be careful.

I think it becomes very hard to avoid even if you do the right things now, if you interact with others at all. But the masks are definitely something.

If you are in a situation with others outside your home, even if you are in a bubble wear your masks.

You know my post wasn’t meant to encourage people to shame other people or post about how they are so much more responsible than everyone else. I attempted to avoid a tone of shame! People need to think harder about outcome desired in terms of masks and posting about them.

I find mask wearing to be anxiety reducing. I think many people might still need to work on flipping a switch from “this is hard” to “this is protective and therefore comforting.” It’s possible. And easier in winter than summer.

Truthfully, I am selfish. I want the virus to go slower there than it did here, because all my older family is there, waiting on vaccines or second vaccines. Slow this down for them.

And for the hospitals and the workers. Everyone.

I submit this for your consideration, considering a lot more people don't have to die that will if we don't get better at masks and unnecessary going out. Etc. And that's it! I'm going to bed.

Do I need to say two meters is a little over 6 feet? OK! Stay six feet away from people and wear a mask. Stay safe and stay home as much as possible. Don't panic. Keep it simple!

People giving me shit about what a meter is and using it as if I'm not speaking the same math measurement. It is the approximate distance from floor to a doorknob. I learned this in American public school. Two of those.