Exempt

June 20, 2021 10:34 p.m.

I pulled up to the small ranch-style house in south county for what my app told me was a scheduled pickup. After a couple minutes, a bald man in cut-off shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt emerged, Bud Light in one hand, smartphone in another. 

“Are you [name]?” I asked?

He confirmed that he was.

“Do you have a mask?” I asked, as he was not wearing one, and we are 16 months into this global pandemic. And, even though masks are no longer required in many indoor spaces for those who are vaccinated, the CDC has not yet removed the recommendation for masks on public transportation. As a result, Uber and Lyft still require both drivers and passengers to remain masked during rides. 

“No,” he said. I grabbed one of the disposable masks I keep with me and handed it to him.

“No,” he said again. “I apologize, but I’m exempt. I have a letter from my doctor. I have a thing in my throat.”

“So you will not wear a mask?” I asked.

“I am exempt,” he said, even though that’s not actually a thing.

“I’m sorry, I can’t take you,” I said, as I rolled up my windows and drove away.

He would need to find another ride to the smoke-filled casino - yes, that was his actual destination.

This. This is why we’re still dealing with COVID-19 and its variants. This is why Missouri is currently leading the nation in new cases.

This is also why I don’t trust people who get in my car and say “it’s okay, I’m vaccinated.” That statement is as believable as the drunk 21 year old slurring “I won’t throw up” before puking in my car, or “I’ll tip you in the app” by the people who don’t seem to realize I can see exactly who tipped me and what amount.

It’s actually been a few months since I’ve had a passenger who outright refused to wear a mask. It’s always a man. A middle-aged white man. I’m a middle-aged white man. Are they surprised that someone in their demographic isn’t sympathetic?

I wouldn’t know I don’t stick around to find out.