![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.creative-catalyst.com\/expect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/masks-225x300.jpg\")
Two coat hangers hang in the hall, each with a string on which sits seven pegs. On the lower hanger – Andy’s – a gang of five white FFP2 masks dangle from the pegs. On the upper hanger – mine – a solitary mask hangs quietly from the first peg. Monday. The remaining six pegs are empty. I haven’t been out of the apartment since Monday, and it’s Monday again. Monday is my day.<\/p>\n
Last Monday it was snowing. It was the first day that FFP2 masks were mandatory in shops and public transport. I had an appointment at the Hautarztin (dermatologist) for a mole-check. The rules are unclear whether “shops” includes doctors offices. The receptionist didn’t question my cloth mask, but the doctor was horrified – flinging open the windows and leaving the room, only returning when I was securely behind the FFP2 mask. Of course, she had to examine my face as well as the rest of me, and instructed me to hold my breath while I removed my mask for her to see my face.<\/p>\n
We’re told that FFP2 masks can be reused, if they are placed in an 80-90 degree oven for an hour, or if they are hung at room temperature for seven days. Hence the hangers.<\/p>\n
Over the weekend, the snow melted away, but today it’s snowing again. I walked to the library to return some of Andy’s books (with great foresight, she stocked up before the libraries were closed). It’s proper snow – big soft white flakes that linger on your nose, whiten the streets again after each cautious passing car and crunch under my boots. I have my FFP2 mask with me just in case, but I’m not going inside anywhere. The library is closed but the mouth of the return slot opens obediently after I show it Andy’s library card, and the books are swallowed up.<\/p>\n
Walking back, the flakes are bigger and there’s that special snow silence. The little winterdienst vehicles are noisily clearing the footpaths (I want one! or at least to have a go on one) and above that the distant voices of playing children ring out across the neighbourhood. A man walking on the other side of the street is whistling “Always look on the bright side of life”, and I think of my friend Karla’s blog post<\/a>, where she quotes the 14th century Christian mystic Julian of Norwich: “All shall be well. And all shall be well. All manner of things shall be well.”<\/p>\n Yes. Monday is my day, and all shall be well \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"