Page 2 - MidWeek - April 5, 2023

2 MIDWEEK APRIL 5, 2023
Being Nice Is Hard To Do
“Kids need love most when they’re acting most unlovable.”
The Mask Of Zero
Amonth before my 15th birthday, I ea- gerly awaited my fifth summer at Camp Pine- mere, nestled in the North Woods of Wisconsin. Eight weeks of swimming, canoe- ing and crafts — living with six other girls in a cabin that had one cold-water sink and a counselor.
o mask or not to mask, that is the question — for some people. We’re now at that point in many circumstances where individual choice (while
outside for the evening cere- mony of “taps” and the lower- ing of the American flag. Mrs. Goold always presided. But first, she made an announce- ment. “Girls, I neglected to give out one award: a Pine Branch, the second-highest award given at Camp Pine- mere. This year’s winner is Rosemary Pollack.”
Rosemary Mild’s person- al essays appear in her new book “In My Next Life I’ ll Get It Right.” She and Larry, cheerful partners in crime, coauthor mystery and sus- pense novels and stories. Visit them at magicile.com.
Chasing The Light is pro- duced by Robin Stephens Rohr and Lynne Johnson.
still impacting others) is the norm. And I say, “Good for you!” If you still wanna wear a mask, go for it. Cer- tainly surgical, N95 or KN95 masks are most effective, and some people think we’ve moved on from that era of “must wear,” everywhere, but in a land of freedoms, you get to make that choice.
My parents sent in the check. But immediately they received a letter back from Mrs. Goold, the camp own- er. Mother scanned the letter, blanched, then read it aloud.
The author learned to be nice and not critical at a summer camp.
In Asia, masks have been worn in public for more than 70 years. Often, it is simply a courtesy if you’re feeling a bit under the weather to protect others around you. Imagine that, empathy and selflessness, what quaint concepts. Of course, we’re not referring to style masks or cold-weather masks which, while less effec- tive by far from the facial filters mentioned above, still serve a purpose.
“Dear Dr. and Mrs. Pollack: Rosemary is not invited back! Last summer, she constantly criticized the other girls, the activities and the counselors. She did not meet the happy standard of behavior that we require of our campers.”
My psychoanalyst father and journalist mother lov- ingly came to my rescue. First, they gently extracted the following promise from me, even though I still didn’t understand why. They com- posed a humble letter to Mrs. Goold begging her to let me enroll again, promising that I would be nice and not criti- cal. The letter worked. I was invited back.
without drifting. I became co- editor of the camp newsletter. One of my cabinmates asked us to take a picture of her naked. I shook my head, but kept my mouth shut.
Apparently, I had learned to be nice — most of the time.
We’re in this new era in which we as a species have somewhat decided to leave COVID behind (even though the virus doesn’t officially understand that yet). It’s up to individuals to decide what’s best for them, their loved ones and people around them. I was recently on a long plane flight and about 15% of the passengers wore masks, myself included. At concerts I’ve attended or in large group functions, the number of mask-wearers is closer to 5%-10%, because now, except where still mandated, it’s your call.
I was too baffled to cry.
Although I managed to stifle my judgmental self, my sometimes wicked side re- fused to cooperate. I played tennis and won my only com- petitive game — because I cheated! I called one of my opponent’s shots “out” when it wasn’t. No counselor was there to witness my crime.
Some have questioned whether the isolation, mask- ing and relative lack of dirt we’ve all experienced over the past three years has caused (to some degree) an uptick in flu and other viruses. But historically, there are seasonal ailment fluctuations, and it is speculation as to whether there is such a thing as “immunity debt,” as was suggested in a French research paper 18 months ago. Since we still know so little about long COVID, simply having had COVID might be a culprit affect- ing people’s immune systems when it comes to other ailments du jour.
KELLEY
— Erma Bombeck
“I wasn’t a good camp
During that summer, I learned exhilarating skills. I could now do a swan dive and jackknife. I passed the windy day test, paddling alone in a canoe a quarter mile and back
citizen? I did all those bad things?”
New Century Schoolbook bold (scaled H 73.6)
I didn’t recognize myself. What was Mrs. Goold talking about?
At the awards banquet, many girls won awards. I didn’t. Afterward, we trooped
with Rosemary Mild
Hopefully, as we continue to move forward into whatever the new normal is, people locally who do choose to keep their masks on will not be made to feel different, will not be ostracized, will not get that glare I already sense in certain circumstances. As Blind Faith once sang, “Do what you like” when it comes to cov- ering up in mid-2023 — for your sake and for others.
Think about it.
john@thinkaboutithawaii.com