Central California, and especially the San Joaquin Valley, is a hotbed for pollution and farming which kicks up dust and sends our nasal passages into a frenzy. For a majority of people, this year represents a new set of challenges during allergy season; Covid-19. While this isn’t the first year that we have had an allergy season during the ongoing pandemic, a lot of Californians did not seriously begin wearing their masks frequently until stores and even the government demanded it.

Gavin Newsom declared statewide that masks would be mandatory in June, an entire three months after the pandemic had hit the U.S. As a result, the vast majority of 2020’s allergy season was spent on high alert but without the necessary precautions, we take nowadays.

2021? Masks are worn by practically everyone and that makes the allergy season even harder. No more sneezing directly into our shoulders, our masks are going to bear the brunt of what flies out of our noses and mouths as we sneeze uncontrollably. Pocket Kleenex sales may hit historical highs in an area of the globe where allergies are arguably already at their worst. (2021 version of toilet paper?).

For all of us with cloth masks that are custom made with our favorite sports teams and tv shows, all we have to do is toss it in the washing machine with our clothing and have it feel fresh and brand new the next time we are required to wear them. For all of us who prefer the disposable kind, it’s time to shell out the big bucks to have replacements every time you throw them away after accidentally blowing your nose into one of them.

With our new president comes new hope for getting rid of the virus and seeing the pandemic end. With a lot of luck and hard work, this will be the last time all of us with crazy allergies have even more coming between our noses and the fresh air. Just remember to wash your hands and wear those masks.