Covid is over.

Okay, people, Covid ended a while ago. Yet here we are, still seeing folks masked up like they’re about to scrub in for surgery at the grocery store. And the hand sanitizer? They’re pumping that stuff like it’s an Olympic Sport. At this point, I’m convinced some aren’t protecting themselves from Covid; they’re just trying to erase the memory of touching a shopping cart in 2020.

I mean, seriously, why are you wearing a mask while driving the car ALONE? I’m wondering who you think you’re protecting yourself from. The steering wheel? Your cup holder? The DJ on the radio?

And then there’s the jogger. It’s 80 degrees outside, sun blazing, and here he comes, sprinting down the sidewalk with a mask on like he’s training for the Ironman: Pandemic Edition. You’re outside, for God’s sake! You’re not chatting with strangers—you’re busy gasping for air like a fish on a treadmill. I find it hard to believe that the three seconds you pass another human are going to result in a germ exchange. Unless, of course, you’re planning on stopping mid-run to French kiss them.

Don’t get me wrong—I was just as freaked out as everyone else during the year of Covid. But if you’re still wearing a mask alone—walking through an empty park, powerwalking past squirrels, or driving solo like your dashboard might sneeze—I’m not judging. Okay, I’m judging a little. At this point, it’s less about safety and more about commitment to keep germs out. Maybe it’s a fashion statement. Perhaps it’s a silent protest against fresh air. Or maybe it’s just muscle memory from 2020 that refuses to die. Either way, it’s impressive. The pandemic may be fading, but some people are clearly keeping the drama alive—one lonely, masked stroll or ride at a time.