The earliest evidence of shoes dates to 9,000 years ago, although humans may have donned them much earlier.
Whenever we invented footwear, adoption probably was spotty and uneven. Campfire debates raged, and some early humans resisted, remonstrated, rebuffed, refused.
As today with masks.
But as with shoes over millennia, comfort with masks has grown over months. Mine has, anyway. My mask grates less than it once did. I scarcely feel it.
What’s more, my mask soothes as it shields against a virus, just as shoes protect against pebbles.
Headed to the office, gas station or store?
Got shoes, car keys, mask?
Super. Let’s go.
Most humans wear shoes daily and have done since before they could walk. Now, as adults, we’d cringe and stare at shoeless opera or movie patrons. We’d cheer a bar bouncer for refusing entry to a parched but bare-footed customer.
Perhaps human culture signaled broad acceptance of shoes when footwear evolved from scratch guard to intentional display of status, creativity and personality.
’Tis time, then, for the mask equivalents of stiletto high heels and platform shoes.
