“The problem with doing nothing is you never know when you are finished.”—Groucho Marx
I’d bet at least 68% of transit operators in King County are still wearing the mask—my observations out on the road. It’s no longer required, so why are they wearing it? I was the lone rebel transit operator who refused the mask. There might have been others but I didn’t see them. My wife would ask me as I’d leave for work, “Do you have your mask, honey, love of my life?” I’d reply, “I’m masked up, gloved up, lubed up, chained up, and fucked up. Ready to start my day—start the nonsense.”
King County Metro implemented the policy after it became a Federal law. Did you know it was a Federal Law? Do you know who initiated the mask bill? Do you know who voted against the Federal mask law—who voted for it? It’s a violation of Federal law if caught not wearing a mask on a city bus in King County, but it’s also a violation of Federal law to even enter a King County building without a mask. The penalties according to Governor Inslee are fines, and possible jail time. Not a single person in Washington State was ever fined or arrested for violating this phony Federal law. I know because I was the biggest violator and I drove past the court house everyday and waved at the masked up police officers who are required to stand at the entrance door. If they didn’t see me I’d honk. I drove maskless past hundreds of police officers and not a single one of them ever mentioned the Federal mask law that I was violating.
I ignored the Federal law. From June of 2020 until I was terminated on Feb 15, 2022 I received five customer complaints. On the first one my base chief informed me that Metro now has an official mask policy and all drivers are required to wear a mask while operating any Metro vehicle which includes the base cars. The base cars are used to transport us to do a road relief. He also mentioned that they are required in the buildings. I sat there and listened and when he was done I thanked him for his time.
On my fifth complaint, (I ignored the others and never went to discuss it with my chief), which was about a month before I was terminated I got into a very heated debate with my base chief.
“You need to have a mask on.”
“You’re asking me to harm myself. That’s illegal.”
“I’m just stating company policy.”
“You are asking me to block my two airways obstructing the amount of required oxygen I need per breath. That is harmful to me.”
“It’s the law.”
“Is it?”
“Yes it is.”
“Let’s talk about that a minute. On our buses, on the building there are signs implying that there is a Federal mask law. Can I please see that Federal mask law. I’m sure you have a copy otherwise you wouldn’t be quoting the Federal law.”
“I don’t have a copy of it.”
“Can you get me one?”
“Go see my chief. She’s in her office right now.”
I leave his office and go to his chiefs office. I mention to her our little mask debate and asked for a copy of the Federal Law requiring me to wear a mask on a bus or inside the building. She didn’t have a copy either. She thought it was strange that she wasn’t provided a copy. She said she would make a request from her manager. She asked me how I’d like to be contacted when she gets a copy of the Federal mask law. I told her to first post it on our bulletin board so all of the drivers are aware there is a Federal mask law and that Metro isn’t just making it up.
I gave her my phone number and email address too. That was the last I ever heard from her.
There is no Federal mask law. King County Metro at the approval from Governor Jay Inslee made up a Federal mask law and everyone complied except yours truly. I did find a use for the mask. There is a speaker directly over the drivers seat. Every 15 minutes or so there is a public announcement informing the riders that there is a Federal law requiring them to wear a mask. I made a half-ass attempt to block the speaker since I couldn’t control the volume.
The Metro bathrooms were a popular place to post your feelings about the mask policy, covid 19, Dr. Fauci, Operation Warp speed and more. There was some very creative writing.