This week I started writing my soapbox with the idea of sharing my thoughts on the crazy happenings in our world, but I thought it would spur the possibility of retaliation which I certainly don’t need in my life right now.

To keep it light and humorous my topic is how the dress code is changing in our society.  I have noticed that since masks are now mandatory in many places, people are dressing more relaxed without a second thought.  Going shopping in pajamas and fuzzy slippers has become more acceptable. The thought is that “anything goes” because these individuals won’t be recognized.  When they are done with their paper masks and rubber gloves, some have been discarding them in parking lots. Obviously, they don’t care about themselves or their neighbors.

Many people are matching their masks to outfits, adding beading and jewels, logos and pictures. These people are the creators, the innovators, the influencers, and the marketers. The mask is becoming the new status symbol much like the designer sunglasses. 

 Of course, there’s always someone who has to have the best of the best.  A Chinese billionaire is having a mask custom made, decorated with 3,600 diamonds, fitted with first-rate filters and bearing a price tag of $1.5 million. An Israeli jewelry company is creating what it says will be the world’s most expensive coronavirus mask.

Whatever the style and price, masks are playing a big part in our lives, and will probably be part of our outfit for a long time, so we might as well make the best of an ugly situation.