“With Covid-19 cases on the rise in Ontario and Toronto, I wanted to share a quick story. I was recently on a call with a colleague and she said to me that at an office meeting, all staff were asked to pull out a blue surgeon’s mask (that we’re all now familiar with), and a sharpie marker. They were each asked to write on the front of the mask, the name of a person they were wearing the mask for. It could have been a grandparent, a child, an immunocompromised friend, anybody. Then each member of the team was asked to share the name they’d written down.

When people actually expressed why they’re wearing a mask, and by extension why it is so important that we stay safe, it really allowed others to empathise with one another’s situations. So, when someone suggests they aren’t concerned about the virus and they don’t take it too seriously, it really isn’t about them. It’s about all the other people. It’s about those names on all the masks. When you’re in the office or in situations where it’s more challenging to socially distance, keep the mask on. Everybody reading this has a name on their mask. Don’t forget, you don’t just wear it for yourself, you wear it for them.”