Maskless Travel by Robert Socha
Fortuitously, I have travel plans to join my wife on a business trip to Colorado Springs, today. We are celebrating 22 years of marital bliss as of April 8th, and this is our first opportunity to do something together. We try our best to date each other, to keep our marriage fresh and interesting. This can be difficult to accomplish with all our responsibilities, but we make it happen as often as we can. I am writing this at 34,000 feet, on board the plane, on an iPad. My first attempt utilizing this medium.
Nevertheless, I was not looking forward to the arduous travel requirements. I have shared on these pages notes on previous travels since the insane dictatorial mask mandates have choked our liberty to breathe freely while traveling. It was fun flaunting the “rules” but tiresome. I was always leery of some flight attendant, agent, or concerned citizen reminding me to toe-the-line, which happened every time.
It’s difficult to fully express the relief my wife and I experienced on Monday night when the headline crossed my screen that Federal Judge Kathryn Mizelle had ruled the mask mandates are not enforceable. We were enjoying light late night conversation when we learned the news and celebrated along with the numerous passengers who were set free while in flight. It was as if an ungodly yoke had been lifted from us. There was levity.
It was very nice to see so many strangers’ faces (some friends too) at Detroit International Airport this morning. The atmosphere reflected the mood with people enjoying one another’s company talking briskly, engaged. The TSA agents respectfully helped us navigate the security requirements. It was as pleasant experience as I had been previously accustomed.
To be fair there are still a few who choose to obfuscate their faces with a cloth, probably made in China, but the vast majority of travelers exercised their right to refuse to wear a mask; I am proudly among them. And, notably, nobody obnoxiously confronted those who made the mask choice.
I asked a couple of people in the airport and on the bus from the car park how they felt about the lifting and the general consensus is that it’s about time. None of the conversations extended beyond that. My thoughts toward the brevity of the conversation is because people are weary of the constant bombardment of news and information concerning the novel coronavirus and the rules implemented to supposedly (not supposably) overcome the disease and are glad for the reprieve. I am too.
There are many reasons to celebrate this judge’s rational overdue decision. First and foremost is to allow the people to make decisions for themselves, especially when it comes to their individual health care choices. I wish to keep this piece positive and express my hope that the lifting of these unreasonable mandates is a catalyst for the average Joe to look deeper into the cause and effect of the past two years’ events, do their own research and come to realize that the God of Creation already provided a way for our bodies to combat viral infections such as the novel coronavirus and to implement changes in their daily routines to help keep themselves healthy, strong and courageous.
In the meantime, I encourage us to continue to fight to protect our liberties. With the nature of government to grow, take and not relinquish, it is incumbent upon us to engage and not waver in our support of its restraint. Be of good courage.
“What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.” (Thomas Paine)
About the Author
Robert Socha
Robert Socha, BIO Robert Socha (so-ha), was born in southern California. He served 5 years 3 months active duty in the United States Air Force; honorably. After his service he took an Associate’s Degree in Practical Theology, where, through his studies, developed a deep love of God and Country and sincere appreciation of the value of Liberty. Robert and his beloved wife of 21-plus years are raising 4 beautiful Texan children. They moved to Hillsdale, Michigan, in 2013, to put their children in Hillsdale Academy. Robert is a sales professional. He and his wife consider Michigan a hidden gem, and absolutely love this city and state (current political environment notwithstanding) they’ve adopted.