Chemotherapy severely limits the immune system, making the patient susceptible to catching and keeping typical diseases like a cold and the flu. My doctor said “You don’t have to be a hermit.” but avoid crowds. We are told to keep away from schools, concerts, crowded restaurants, theaters, stores, etc. to avoid sick people. So, when shopping, consider wearing a surgical mask.

I’ve been doing this for a couple of days. I feel like a bank robber. Going to Publix today, once parked, I get out the mask, slip it on and make sure it fits right. Then grab a cart and clean the handle with a provided sanitizing wipe and start shopping.

When you wear a mask, people look at you funny. Most give a quick glance and look away. No one smiles. Some stare, always with a serious face. One lady saw me and quickly vered away, afraid to catch whatever disease I was trying to contain.

I used to wonder why some people wore surgical masks when shopping. What are they hiding? I assumed they were sick and did not want to pass it on to others. Or, maybe they had some disfigurement that we all should not see. Maybe they are germaphobes. Now I know better. They might also be undergoing chemotherapy and can’t afford to get any sicker.

Then there is communication. When people can’t see your mouth, they have a hard time understanding everything you say. I had to repeat a common name of a product I was looking for at Walgreens because the lady couldn’t fully hear what I was asking. It’s not like I have a sock in my mouth but reading a person’s face is a vital part of verbal communication.

This also changes the way I shop. I’m used to hitting one store for the lowest price on garbage bags, the next store for their coffee, the next for the best value on cereals, and finally the next for all the rest. Now I need to shop where I can find nearly everything I need under one roof, with the fewest people to interact with.

Small price to pay for recovery.