Facemask as tactical device

I just flew to and from Los Angeles for a conference. As per my doctor’s orders I wore a facemask and used my neti pot upon landing. I didn’t get sick, which was wonderful.

In the process I discovered that my facemask was a great tactical device in the struggle for space on the airplane. The first flight was empty. I had a window seat, and there was someone sitting in the aisle. I put my mask on, looked out the window for a minute or so, and when I looked back, the guy sitting in the aisle seat was gone. Disappeared. Went and sat at some other aisle seat. So I got a whole row, and slept well. The thing that he didn’t get is that I wasn’t sick. I was not contagious. I wasn’t wearing the mask to protect him, I was wearing it to protect me. I was afraid of *his* germs!