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In new norm, face masks become form of expression

News Photo by Julie Riddle A sign in the entrance at Stitches ‘n Blooms at the Alpena Mall reminds customers to strap on a mask, like the one worn by customer Carol Stephenson.

ALPENA — Masks — the new and unexpected fashion trend of 2020 — are still adding a splash of color to faces around Northeast Michigan as businesses swing back into action after a hiatus as the state worked to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

At Stitches ‘n Blooms in the Alpena Mall, a sign reminds customers that “a mask is a must!”

Customer Carol Stephenson sported a snazzy handmade covering as she picked out a picture frame on Thursday. She’s got one for herself, and she keeps an extra mask in her car to offer someone when she’s giving people rides to their jobs and appointments, Stephenson said.

Craig Markowski, a longtime employee at Neiman’s Family Market, wore a neck-hugging mask as he bagged potatoes. Employees appreciate it when customers strap on a mask, he said, and he’s gotten comfortable wearing his, even as fewer customers seem to be making use of them.

“I don’t mind,” Markowski said. “To protect myself and others, I’ll do it.”

News Photo by Julie Riddle Camo patches hide the grin of employee Craig Markowski at Nieman’s Family Market as he cheerfully bags potatoes on Thursday.

Purple and polkadots complemented a purple sweatshirt for Sharon Brousseau as she picked up a prescription at Rite Aid.

She sewed her own masks, making five or so before her sewing machine started acting up.

While restrictions are loosening and many people aren’t wearing masks, anymore, Brousseau feels like it’s still worth doing, especially since there may be a second surge of COVID-19 infections.

“If there is one, I don’t want to be at fault for that,” she reasoned.

Mckenzie Dziesinski, her hands full of yard care products as she stood in the checkout line at Tractor Supply Co., wore a pretty floral face covering, one of many masks made for her by her grandmother — enough to have fun matching them with different outfits.

News Photo by Julie Riddle Helen and Richard Martin cruise the aisles of Dollar Tree in Alpena, where Helen’s cheerful mask, made by a friend, brightened the day.

It’s a little hard to breathe in a mask, Dziesinski said, but, “If it keeps me away from the corona, then I’m fine with it.”

In the kitchen gadgets aisle at Dollar Tree, Helen Martin, of Black River, added cheer to the store with the vibrant colors of a mask made for her by her friend, Dahlia.

“It seems like it’s just normal anymore,” said Martin, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and wears a mask any time she goes out.

Seeing other people without masks doesn’t worry her, she said.

“I just think it’s stupid,” Martin said bluntly. “Put it on. What’s the big deal, you know?”

News Photo by Julie Riddle A floral face covering protects Mckenzie Dziesinski, of Alpena, shopping at Tractor Supply Co. with her dad on Thursday.

News Photo by Julie Riddle An unmasked face hovers over the shoulder of Sharon Brousseau, showing off her purple, handmade mask at Alpena’s Rite Aid store.

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