In last week’s KEY group, one of the Members began Significant Events with “Masks work!” He paused. I said “Wait, tell me more”.

He continued the story. His non-profit helps foster youth as well as multi-disabled children. They took in a Covid positive child who was very angry and upset. The group home staff wore all the PPE and the children all wore masks, but children are high touch and emotive. The risk was high that they would all catch it. They are pleased to report that no one caught it despite the difficult circumstances.

Among my “essential workers” companies who had to institute safe practices in early March, social distancing, hand washing, sanitizing and wearing masks has kept 99% of them safe. It appears that the few reported cases were community contact, not at work.

While there are many scientific studies that confirm the anecdotal data, we are not seeing controlled tests yet, so many people are dismissing the practice. I get it. I don’t like to wear them either. When I climb the hills around my house with my surgical mask on, I’m huffing and puffing. If no one is around, I open it to grab some air.

We cannot give up on known practices that could reduce the risk of transmission by 30% at a minimum. Another story: A hair salon in Missouri confirmed that 2 of the hairdressers had Covid but wore masks and 2 weeks later, no customer has tested positive. Maybe it is just luck.

I’m going to double down on lucky and smart. The winner is not the one who starts the race the fastest, it is the one who continues to press on mile after mile with focus and discipline. Let’s keep doing this together. Let’s find a person or a purpose for whom we are wearing our masks.

Please click on this video posted by fellow Vistage Chair, Cynthia Goro for an inspiring moment.