OTHER than being forced by the big, bad government and the fines they impose for non-compliance, WHY do you-

Wear a seatbelt.

Stop at intersections, stop signs, etc.

Drive on the correct side of the road.

Wear a shirt into a supermarket.

Not reach into open cash registers and help yourself to money.

Stop at cash register to pay for things you want.

How inconvenient do you find these restrictions on your id? On your desire to HAVE that candy bar, even if you have no money?

The answers should go something like this:

(Remember, we took away any of the the “it’s the law” or “they made me do it” excuses)

1-Even though I AM A GREAT DRIVER, and have NEVER even been pulled over for a broken tail-light, I have no control over all the other people on the road. I can’t control road conditions or the fact someone else is driving impaired, or sudden brake failure. I wear a seatbelt because it is less inconvenient and costly than a week in the hospital, or someone having to go to my kid’s school and tell them I died in a wreck.

2. I am not the only car on the road. If I want to get to my destination safely, I need to rely on the kindness of strangers who are also looking to the left and the right before driving through where I want to put my vehicle– only one of us can safely occupy that space at a time.

3. What are the lines for anyway? Does it even make a difference, if I want to be closer to the other side of the road? I mean, it’s more comfortable to me, the way my brain works, to be on that side.

4. Who decided is not considered sanitary for the general public to be parading around with their unwashed, uncovered bodies in the produce aisle. Why would someone think it’s not socially acceptable to be letting us all have to bask in the glory of your beer belly, your six pack or your lack of lingerie. Come on, man, freedom!

5. The answer really is not—I don’t feel like working for money or I work harder than I should for less money than you anyway, so I am entitled to helping myself to what I need. I think money a false social construct. But, they say money makes the world go round, so I will just help myself to some of the money in that register while you aren’t looking.

6. I will pay for the candy bar with the money I took in 5, thanks so much, I wanted a SNICKERS a LOT. I get that SOMEONE ELSE will ultimately pay for that candy bar, but I was HANGRY and low on cash…

JUST WEAR A MASK. BE INCONVENIENCED. DO it for other people. Act kind of like you are a part of a society that is reliant on each other. LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF, (mark 12:31) even.

No one knows if you had COVID-19 that you can’t get it again, or that you are or aren’t contagious.

NO ONE. (your friend the pet groomer’s opinion is no substitute for the entirety of the CDC or WHO)

If you are walking around without a mask, no one is aware that YOU (think) you had it, and therefore YOU THINK you are invincible. They think you are an inconsiderate lout who doesn’t care about other people.

But– IF you are so bulletproof, hie thee to a hospital and volunteer to help COVID-19 patients in any way you can non-medically because they are overworked and stressed–without a mask, of course.