Welp, Time to Stock Up on Coughy Filters.

Whether you're totally on board with disguising the bottom half of your face or are challenging the Internet to make you do it, we can all rejoice that we now have a ready-made excuse to not engage with Brittany from third period English, circa 2005. 

Besides, you might need that mask for that giant cloud of Saharan dust that 2020 is set to bestow upon on us this weekend. Who had Imhotep for July?

FORWARD TO SOMEONE WITH MUMMY ISSUES
 

Your Home Bar / Gym / Office is Calling

Wednesday afternoon's announcement means NC is paused in Phase 2, and we'll have to endure three more weeks of using soup cans as arm weights and serving ourselves behind the bar at Klub Kitchén.

We miss our dives. While breweries remain exempt, bars that don't serve food and don't produce alcohol for offsite sales are still not permitted to open. Some bars with a patio, however, have been able to meet requirements by bringing outside food in for purchase.

Meanwhile, gyms are getting more & more creative.

• Many have been offering streaming classes. Some have converted outdoor spaces for exercise classes, complete with equipment and tents to provide shade.
• Some are opening on the authority of this letter from the attorney general's office, and welcoming anyone for whom exercise has been recommended by a healthcare professional. Some of these gyms are requiring a doctor's note, while others are citing health privacy laws in not requiring any documentation. 

Here's What That Mask Mandate Means.

As of 5 p.m. Friday, face coverings — any type that covers the nose and mouth, including face shields — are required when you "are or may be within 6 feet of another person."

• How does this work when dining out? The order doesn’t requires a mask "while actively eating and drinking," but restaurants "must have all customers wear face coverings when not at their table."  
• For kids? Those under 11 are exempt. Those under 2 should not wear one, because it's hard enough to get your toddler to keep their shoes on.
• When driving? You don't need to wear one whilst alone in your car. We don't know why this is a thing, but we've seen it. 
• When exercising: You don't have to wear one. Just don't breathe into the big fan.

Of course, exemptions also apply for those not healthy enough to wear one. The order says you "should not be required to produce documentation or any other proof of a condition" and that everyone should be using "the honor system."

Need more info? Here's the order in its entirety, and here's a handy fact sheet that likely covers your question.

So, Since We've Been Told to Cover Up ...

Here's how to do it in style, and support local while you're at it.

1. Twigg & Co.: You can find locally-made masks in a variety of sizes and colors. If they don't have what you're looking for, they'll customize your order. 

2. Monkee's of the Pines: Choose from fun patterns or neutral colors that'll match any 'fit. 

3. Mockingbird on Broad: Find patterned half scarfs, or masks that say exactly what your hidden facial expression can't. Our favorite: "I swear, I'm not here to rob you." 

4. Johnny O's Awards: You can get little Lord Barkquad's face, or something that tells everyone how you really feel, printed on a mask at Johnny O's. 

5.1350: Choose from a variety of fabrics for kids and adults, and add some embroidered personalization to your covering. 

6. Burney Hardware (Aberdeen and Seven Lakes): They currently have reusable cloth masks and single KN95 masks for sale. 

You'll Need Popcorn for These Comments

And you can get your fill of the salty goodness at the Sunrise Theater tomorrow during Curbside Cravings. From 1-6 p.m., they'll be outside selling popcorn, candy, six packs of beer, cider from James Creek Cider House and their logo mugs. Pull up a park bench, pull up the most recent Pilot story about the mask mandate, and become the GIF you're always posting in the comment section.

• The Bakehouse has reverted to to-go orders only. "Due to the recent spike in Covid, we feel it is best to close our small dining area, for the continued health of our customers, and also our waitstaff," owners said in this post.
• Reverie Cocktails has added a Dark 'n Stormy to its delivery lineup, with rum and Reverie's ginger beer. 
• Pik N Pig will be closed from July 4-13 for its annual vacay. Of course we're jealous.

U.S. Kids Golf Returns, With New Rules

July 21-Aug. 2: Thousands of tiny golfers will once again descend on Moore County for the 15th annual U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, bringing in some welcome tourism revenue but none of the fanfare that locals have come to expect. The annual Parade of Nations has been cancelled, as has all social functions; and several rules have been put in place for local courses as well.

“Our international players, which will be greatly limited due to travel restrictions, will come from families that are already living in this country," said Chris Vonderkall, vice president of tournaments for U.S. Kids. "The field size will be reduced as well as putting our approved safety plan in place for this year.” 

SPONSORED BY PINEHURST RESORT

Time to Shed Some Quarantine Stress

Our trip to the Spa at Pinehurst Resort made us realize that 50 minutes of pure peace and relaxation on the massage table feels even better after 50,000 days of having toy cars run over our back.

We had to skip shoving our face with snacks in the locker room and indulging in the sweet-smelling toiletries that are typically out for guests, but the vibes were all there. And, we left with a little reminder of what it felt like to be touched by a human whose hands aren't permanently stained with magic marker. Read more about our spa day at Pinehurst Resort.
 

Attend a Zoom Meeting You Won't Mute

Unlike Susan from HR's list of new office procedures, a conference call with the king of legal thrillers can't be summed up in an email. Don't miss The Country Bookshop's live Zoom call with John Grisham, from 2-2:45 p.m. on July 13.

Each $5 ticket can be used toward a copy of Grisham's new book, "Camino Winds," and you'll have the opportunity to submit an interview question when you register. Do it here.

SPONSORED BY MONKEE'S OF THE PINES

We Stan a Summer Sale 

Taking advantage of the summer sale at Monkee's of the Pines should be done without question — unlike our decision to implement Gen-Z lingo into our daily lives. From now until the end of June, they're offering 30 percent off all full-priced shoes and clothing. Shop in store or online using the code SUMMER30 at checkout, and amp up your wardrobe with on-trend styles from Tory Burch, Ilse Jacobson and more. 

That's All for Now.

Your homework: Reply and tell us what your custom mask would say.