So I posted about making masks. I've been steadily supplying free masks to the citizens of Sidney for the past month. I leave them in the town's little free library, which is located outside our town office. Any where from 10-20 per day have been taken - usually they are all gone when I go to restock in the morning. Some people on Facebook have offered to pay me but I make these available for free. I have had several people who happened to be there for masks when I restocked give me money which I did accept as I have been spending money to purchase elastic and cellophane envelopes for packaging. And I was fortunate to have relatives and a friend also send me money. But I'm not in it for the money. I'm in it to protect myself, my loved ones, and my friends and neighbors. It was so gratifying to find this note in the Library box last week when I went to restock:

This is from the town clerk and her staff who are keeping our town running while having to reinvent the wheel to do so. Every operation has changed with social distancing.

I also have been sending masks to the Race Track Chaplaincy of New York at Belmont Park. Those who know me know that I am a fan of the Thoroughbred race horse. The RTCNY takes care of the spiritual and social and other needs of the backstretch workers - the people who groom, hot walk, exercise the horses. With racing not happening at NY tracks, these people have limited resources as they are not earning any extra money from horses winning races. As of today, I have sent them 11 dozen masks. Here's a photo of a happily masked family:

My thanks to them for caring for the horses I care about!

Back to why I do this: I'm in it to protect myself, my loved ones, and my friends and neighbors. So when I see people putting me and my neighbors and my friends at risk by not wearing a mask or social distancing or insisting that not being allowed to eat in a restaurant is infringing on their rights, I have to say "What about MY rights to not get this insidious disease?" Your behavior is taking away my right to health and safety. Leave the politics out of it, please. No presidents or governors or other issues. Don't confuse the issue with politics or your agenda. Please, think about someone other than just yourself. I have friends who are immune compromised, I am in that age group that is at risk. And I'm certain you have people you care about who are in the same situations - please, think about them. I am not unsympathetic to the small business people who are hanging on by a thread - I am one of you, with now 3 shows cancelled so far. But is the risk really worth the reward?