Pandemic is over. What’s the use of face masks now? I often wonder. I still carry them in my bag just as a precaution when I fly or use any form of public transportation. But will I ever need them? Well! I hope never. But then does it hurt if few harmless masks, that weigh few feathers, are lying in a corner of my handbag! Not really.
I almost forgot about them until I took this flight recently. As I settled down on my seat, a pungent odour wafted through the air into my olfactory senses. Clearly, someone was suffering from poor digestion. I covered my nose until the smell was gone. Again, after about 10 minutes the same pungent odour! I cover my nose again. I hoped this was the last time. But it kept repeating frequently as if someone was doing 'it' using with a snooze button. The ‘alarm’ would go off again and again!
I had to last a long flight and unable to take this ordeal anymore, I beckoned the air hostess and hesitantly explained her the situation, requesting for a change of seat. She empathized with my situation and started to check on her device for an empty seat. By that time her male colleague came by and asked what the problem was. The air hostess very audibly explained my predicament. They both tried but were unable to change my seat as the flight was full. They were very sympathetic and empathetic of my helpless situation but were unable to help me. I don’t blame them.
They, however, had done one good thing though, they had alerted the ‘offender’ by disclosing my problem audibly, enough for passengers in the vicinity to hear. I thought that would deter the gas emanator, but anonymity was ‘criminal’s’ biggest weapon. 'It' continued silently, unabated. I found my situation both comic and tragic.
Who could be doing such a despicable act! I looked around. Everyone appeared suspicious. After some time, I noticed the passengers sitting next to me weren’t covering their noses. It must be one of them, I thought. Or maybe they had nose blockages, and the one might be in front of me or across the aisle…It was of no use trying to play Sherlock Holmes. This was no baker street, and I didn’t have detective powers either.
By this time, I felt almost like puking. Nose coverings weren’t working much. Suddenly I remembered the ignored, forgotten mask lying in my bag. I immediately pulled out one and put it on my face. Believe it or not, that mask saved me from becoming a victim to an unusual gas attack.
So, next time you second guess the use of mask during ‘peace time’, remember it can still save the day for you, literally!
(Photo Credits: Hoang Chuong via Hoàng Chương - Photography (pexels.com))
