Masks on, masks off! What’s today’s status? I surely don’t know. I just follow orders.

This is what I do know: once again I need to have masks in my pocket and car.

Over the past few days, the situation about wearing a mask has once again transcended the advice you should wear one if you’re not vaccinated. Now the Commonwealth is looking at a more universal revival of the habit thanks to two factors, the rise of the delta variant and the fact there are still way too many people who are unvaccinated.

Two school districts – Springfield and Amherst-Pelham have announced masks will be back in the classroom. Dr. Michael Morris, the superintendent for Amherst-Pelham wrote, “Over the past few weeks, multiple organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatricians and the Centers for Disease Control have released recommendations on the topic of face coverings. Especially given the current context of the delta variant, I have consulted with the Town of Amherst Health Director, Emma Dragon; ARPS Nurse Leader, Robbin Suprenant; and a team of local physicians on the issue. Based on that feedback, I anticipate that face coverings will continue to be required indoors for students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, at the start of the school year. The guidelines are subject to change during the 2021-2022 school year as more information becomes available regarding local vaccination rates among staff, students, and the community; local case counts and community spread; and as additional guidance is received from public health authorities given the evolving status of the virus/variants.”

This is to be expected as kids can’t be vaccinated as yet, but the following is something that shocked me.

The following information was in a State House News Story about the Gaming Commission written by Colin A. Young: “Encore Boston Harbor said about 70 percent of its workers are fully vaccinated and that it requires vaccination verification before an employee is allowed to go mask-free. Jacqui Krum, Encore Boston Harbor’s senior vice president and general counsel, said about half of the Everett casino’s guests wear masks.

“MGM Springfield said it is mandating that all employees, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask while at work. Vice President and Counsel Gus Kim told the commission that about 50 percent of the casino's employees are vaccinated. “Plainridge Park Casino said it is not requiring any of its employees to wear masks. General Manager North Grounsell estimated that between 60 percent and 65 percent of workers are vaccinated. That combination did not sit well with at least three commissioners.”

What the hell? Seriously, what the hell? I mean it: what the hell?

Why are there so many people in the hospitality/tourism industry who are not vaccinated? This is a sector of the economy that was kicked in the throat by the pandemic. One would think everyone employed by the casinos would have had the shot.

Why aren’t they? Don’t people realize the more unvaccinated folks we have the greater the risk is to all of us and to the economy?

Yes, I know. There are still those who believe the pandemic is a hoax. Masks are an assault on personal liberty. There are those who don’t want the vaccine because they “don’t know what’s in it.” There are those who think that COVID-19 is just the bad flu. There are those who believe the vaccine has a microchip that will allow the government to track us.   

I get it. It’s all political. It doesn’t matter how many people have died, or been ill, or lost jobs, or businesses closed.

Geez, you’re worried about the government tracking you? If you have a cell phone, use loyalty cards or order stuff online you are already being tracked by a number of entities.

I am vaccinated. I will wear the mask when told. Why? Because, I want an end to this pandemic. I guess the question is whether or not you share that belief. Do you want this event to be part of history or part of our everyday life?