Who Was That Masked Man?

Look…we all know that you don’t read my column for a feel-good session.  If I get a smile or a smirk, my job is done.  If I accomplish either of those things for someone other than myself, it’s a win.

I write that as a preface to this column, because it’s far from a fun one.  Like many of you, I’ve spent the last month or so first wearing, and then seeking more, and then modifying, and then wearing again what passes for personal protective equipment (PPE).  I’ve heard from friends, and have read other examples, of loved ones taken by the Corona virus.  As of this writing (and please don’t let this tally climb), I’ve lost some favored musicians in John Prine and Adam Schlesinger, been following the ongoing struggles of a Broadway performer, Nick Cordero, who had a leg amputated due to complications, and can’t help but at times become overwhelmed by the pain and the losses.  On a personal level, I have a friend who’s been on a ventilator for several weeks.  I consider it a “plus” that he’s not gotten worse.

When I started to see promotional industry manufacturers address the need for masks, I was pleased.  It was great to read about companies like Sanmar and LBU firing up their machinery to help alleviate the shortage.  And it seemed as though many suppliers were making PPEs available via their overseas sourcing capabilities.

Here’s the cynicism you’ve come to know and love: I can only hope that those imported masks have met some level or standard of acceptance in order to be marketed and sold.  To the credit of many, I’ve seen adverts for these where they clearly state that they are not N95 approved masks…those which meet OSHA standards for safe air filtration.  As the reports state, any coverage is better than none at all.

I’m sorry…I can’t help but remember the madness of what…maybe two years ago…when fidget spinners were the rage and every supplier was flying those things in to meet the demand.  I also remember how so many of them were rushed into production, with little to no safety concerns.  Let’s meet the demand and make a buck or two.

I want to believe that, in the case of these masks, it has been safety first all the way.  I want to believe that.  I want to believe that the promotional industry is doing the right thing, overall.

But yeah…I’ve started to see ads for fun designs.  I’m not saying we all need to wear death shrouds.  Just the opposite, I guess.  Might a little levity can lighten the mood.

This is life and death, people.  I’ve often joked and have given end-user presentations about how we’re not saving lives…we’re selling promotional stuff.  I’ve never been more wrong…and I’ve been wrong a lot.

Sadly, I also remember how, after 9/11, the profiteers were out there, marketing their American flag themed items in order to jump on the bandwagon.  Red, white, and blue whatevers were flying off the shelves at whatever price suppliers could get. 

Several months after 9/11, my wife and I were in lower Manhattan, and I remember how saddened…and then angry…I was, when I saw so many street peddlers, and even retailers, selling their World Trade Center related products.  Those were not for commemoration.  Those were to take advantage of a tragedy.

I’m not comparing COVID with 9/11.  How do you compare one tragedy with another?  They’re both awful.  I am just hopeful that this doesn’t turn into another money-maker.

Stay safe, my friends.  Be smart.  And stay home, too.  You may piss me off, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care.

Mike Schenker, MAS, is “all that” at Mike Schenker, Consulting, where he assists businesses entering the promotional products industry, mentors professionals, and offers association management.  He is a promotional industry veteran and member of the Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY) Hall of Fame. He can be reached at mike@mikeschenker.com.