precaution

I really love to gamble.

At first, the mask is uncomfortable as it rings my ears and defines the lower half of my face, all tiny checkerboard, black dancing with white. My nose whistles gently as hot breath filters through.

I get used to it though, and forget that I have the mask on. Until I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and am taken aback. I am the king of the elves in Amulet.

are my ears really that pointy

Every day, my hands are so dry.

I’m tired of washing them, sanitizing them, rubbing them.

But don’t worry, I’ll keep it up.

We’re all just playing the percentages, trying to beat the house. Hoping a flatter curve makes this less worse, hoping to learn from the global stories that encompass us all., these days.

They say the house always wins.

But there’s exceptions to every rule. And like a great heist, we’re hoping to take the house down.

Inside the air conditioned, neatly aligned and spacious store. I prepare to sign and pay for the SIM cards. The near-empty bottle of hand sanitizer sits just adjacent to the spray bottle

kills 99.9% of germs on all surfaces

It reassures

sure, but what about the 0.1%

I counter.

But then, step back, and realize

that I can play those odds.