Check Your Breath

This year, 2020, is going to be one of the most memorable in all our lives. Considering how the brain works with cognitive mapping – grouping concepts and the relationships among them, the word “breath” is undoubtedly going to be a highlighted, boxed bullet point in our minds when we remember this tumultuous time. Covid 19 has literally stolen the last breaths from many of our loved ones. No one will ever forget George Floyd pleading to be able to breathe. One feeble excuse some people give for not wearing masks in public to help diminish the spread of this horrible virus is that they feel like it’s hard to breathe; we’re not talking about people with underlying breathing disorders here.

           Another interesting aspect that occurs within our mental machinations is how seemingly incongruous concepts or images can be grouped together in our minds. As an example, I recently attended the funeral of a close friend. There were somber expressions and tears replaced literally in an instant with laughter and joy. That juxtaposition of contrasting thoughts seems to be how the clustering of masks and breath is playing out for me in my mind. To be sure, those more serious memories will be what I first tell my grandchildren about, but there are a couple of things that are making me see a lighter side of masks and breath that I will want to relay as well. 

           First, my oldest daughter has a respiratory condition (not asthma) that causes her to have a protracted cough any time she gets a viral infection. Because of that, understandably, she has been a little like “Big Bang Theory’s” Sheldon Cooper in strict adherence to safe preventive practices. Her passionate, quirky execution of distancing, mask wearing, and sanitation has been an inspiration to our family. It has also provided more than a little comedic relief. On one occasion, she instigated a family discussion about whether or not wearing a mask makes you have bad breath or, at least, notice your breath more.

           The second thing that is helping me to find a little humor here is somehow, I became aware that today, August 6, is “Fresh Breath Day.” Who knew? I still see my daughter repeatedly smacking her lips and scrunching her nose as she described the effect mask wearing was having on her breath, and now, I have come to realize that there is actually a day that champions good breath. Not sure why, but those two things in combination cause me to smile. They make me think of the movies where the boy is about to have his first kiss, and he breathes into his hand to get a deliberate test of his own breath. If you think about it, aren't we actually getting a continuous check on our own breath as we wear our masks?

           This stretch of history has been rough for everyone, some a lot more than others. If we try, we can see some good that has come out of this. Many have talked about the value they have found in spending more time with their families. Our friend, Dr. Profeta, recently posted an essay about noticing that kids are actually playing together in neighborhoods. Now, we can add more diligent focus on oral hygiene as one of the unexpected, positive consequences of this pandemic. Everything, every thought, doesn’t have to be serious and negative. Maybe, something as silly as masks, bad breath and a ridiculous designation on the calendar can even make us laugh a little.

#pandemic #masks #humor

Dr. Smith completed thirty plus years in clinical medicine. He now coaches high school basketball. His first book, “Sorty Makin’ a Doctor,” is currently being edited-one step closer to publication.