“Why aren’t you wearing a mask?” the older woman asked the young lady at the grocery store. Puzzled what to say the young lady said nothing. That’s ok, no answer was expected, and it is doubtful that anything other than an apology would have been received.
Sometimes questions are not questions, Sometimes they are a method used to trigger thought on the part of the recipient. The inquisitor is self-confident of superior understanding or behavior and is using the question to demonstrate that superiority.
At times that demonstration is warranted. God asked the earthling “Where are you?”. No answer was required. Upon hearing the question, the earthling immediately knew he had erred. An apology might have been appropriate but instead the earthling went straight to shifting the blame for his failure to God, “that woman you gave me”.
At other times such questions are a method of lording over others. A trait that is all too pervasive in our society. Driven by a belief that one’s own conclusions are the only right conclusions, people will venture forth inflicting torment upon those whose conclusions are deemed inferior.
The rules of re-engagement from lock-down are many and vary widely across our society. Various sundry groups of people are abiding by one or more of the many sets of guidelines whose details are diverse to the extreme. Some have returned to shaking hands and hugging, others are abiding by extensive strict protocols. Each group having a sense of superior understanding over the others.
Given this diversity of thought you are very likely to become the target of such an inquisitor as you venture forth into the post-lock-down world. But remember, you are not being questioned by God, you are being questioned by a fellow traveler trying to make their way through troubled and unsure waters. Seems best to overlook any smugness or air of superiority that often accompanies such inquiries. Be polite, apologies, and move on, you will have avoided a worthless conversation.