The staff at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario boozeteria that we patronize wear flip-up face shields like what you see on health-care workers. They are the only masked shop staff in our town. I put this down to two factors: first, the LCBO is a provincial government monopoly that is absolutely rolling in money and, second, its employees are union members.

If only the staff at the supermarket were similarly equipped, and the people who stock the shelves at Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire.

But more and more, it seems that a mask is how nice folks top off their going-uptown outfits.

I wear mine so I don't have to apologize for my constant asthmatic cough. Otherwise, I would have to wear a button that says I'm Not Sick.