Are You Ready to See Smiling Faces Again?

By Deb Boelkes

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had my fill of seeing people wearing masks.

I’ve had my fill of going to the grocery store or elsewhere, running into people who I have known for years and should recognize, but don’t. That’s embarrassing.

Most of all, I miss seeing smiling faces.

I never realized before how a smiling face can make my day. But a masked face … not so much. I miss the heartfelt feelings a smiling face conveys.

I feel truly blessed to live in Florida. It’s one of the more progressive states when it comes to allowing people who choose to, to finally return to living a somewhat normal life, with smiling faces, both indoors and out.

Even during the worst of the pandemic, Florida was never as tightly locked down as some states. Most outdoor-based businesses—such as landscapers, home builders, yard maintenance teams, golf courses, road construction crews, etc.—were considered essential. People could be found working outside, in the fresh air, without masks … smiling.

We Floridians have spent most of the pandemic social distancing outdoors—without masks—enjoying the sunshine, walking our dogs, riding our bikes, strolling along our beautiful white sand beaches, sharing a glass of wine with friends while social distancing on our verandas … smiling.

While Florida was not the first state in the nation to allow gyms, restaurants or beauty salons to re-open, most of the state entered Phase 2 earlier than many, on June 5th. By executive order of the Governor, Florida entered Phase 3 on September 25th.

In Florida, Phase 3 means local governments may not:

• prevent individuals from working or operating a business
• limit restaurants to operate at less than 50% of indoor capacity
• enforce fines or place penalties associated with Covid-19 on individuals.

It’s been interesting to see so many other states lockdown and quarantine otherwise healthy individuals for such extended periods of time.

As I wrote in my April blog post on BusinessWorldRising.com, Can We Really Learn from History?, about the Great Plague of London—which began in 1665, lasted for over 18 months, and killed between 75,000 to 100,000 people (nearly 20% of the city’s population at the time)—the only people quarantined back then were those with the plague. Otherwise healthy people went on about their daily business, as usual.

Granted, between March and late September of this year, anytime we ventured inside an enclosed public venue, Floridians were mandated to wear masks. And yes, many indoor venues were shut down entirely. But outdoors, life went on as usual, provided we practiced social distancing. 

Honestly, I resented the mandate to wear a mask when it was entirely possible to practice social distancing. For that reason, I minimized visits to the grocery store or anywhere that required me to go “incognito”—behind a mask.

I like to smile at people. I like to see them smiling back at me.

I deliberately avoided traveling more than an hour away from home all summer—until our newest grand-daughter was born at the end of August. When asked by my son and daughter-in-law to come to California to help them out for a week, I honestly had to think twice about getting on an airplane. I simply did not want to wear a mask for an entire day of travelling. But precious baby grand-daughters are worth it.

I looked forward to taking our new Little Miss out in her stroller for early morning walks, where we could enjoy nature—without wearing a mask—and proudly share a smile with admiring passers-by.  So off we went, albeit grumbling, flying across country behind a mask for nine hours, from airport door to airport door.     

On our first morning there, with precious Little Miss safely tucked into her stroller, my husband and I happily ventured outside—without masks—onto the oh-so familiar, meandering wide sidewalks of our former southern California hometown. But to our stunned amazement, virtually everyone we encountered along our way was not only a wearing a mask—out in the wide open spaces, mind you—they completely avoided us.

Anyone walking or jogging toward us veered well off the path. They got as far away from us as they possibly could. Almost no one said hello or even nodded in recognition of our presence. This went on day after day. We were completely stunned at being so shunned. I felt like I was back in junior high school.

As much as we loved being with our kids and their new Little Miss for a week, it was a pleasure to get back to smiling Florida, where we are now in Phase 3 of the “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery” … where:

• Persons 65+ and those with underlying conditions can resume public interactions
• Employees may return to work
• Non-essential travel may continue
• Government meetings are in person
• Bars and restaurants may operate at full capacity
• Gyms may open to full capacity
• State parks are open with overnights
• Beaches remain open
• Movie theaters, concert halls, auditoriums, bowling alleys may open
• Theme parks may return to normal operation
• Vacation rentals may resume operating procedures
• Barber shops, hair and nail salons may operate at full capacity, and
• Retail stores may operate at full capacity. 

Of course, social distancing is recommended everywhere. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask may certainly do so, but fines and penalties on individuals who choose not to cannot be enforced. 

What matters most to me is this: smiles, here in Florida, are back in style.

You’re sure to see me smiling wherever I go. And I look forward to seeing you smile, too, the next time we meet on the street or in an establishment … at least here in Florida.  

So make my day. Bring on the smiles.  

I’m ready for it.