Cover Up Anti-Maskers

2021-02-10T08:20:00.001-08:00

Dear Anti-Maskers,

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, countless lives have been lost, small businesses have been shut down, and our everyday lives have changed. Sadly, there seems to be no ending for this pandemic, but wearing masks in public could help us get a little bit closer to that end date.

Currently, the end of the pandemic seems to be nowhere close, however by doing one easy thing, wearing our masks in public, we can reduce infections. It is common knowledge that wearing a mask can protect ourselves and others from coming in contact with the virus. But unfortunately, there are people who refuse to wear a mask and it shocks me.

We all need to wear masks because they’re the only barrier between us and the pandemic. Certain masks are uncomfortable and hard to breathe in but when lives are on the line you can wear them like everybody else. There is simply no excuse for being an Anti-Masker; it just our current situation. It's unacceptable to help the spread of Covid-19 during this pandemic simply because you don't want to cover your face. Not complying with federal mandates and choosing not to wear masks only endangers people who may be more vulnerable and have complications.

Why They're So Important

In public, these masks are the only shield protecting us from the coronavirus, so it is essential that we wear them, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention agrees. The CDC helps us citizens combat the pandemic, and they highly advise we mask up. On the CDC’s considerations to wear a mask page, it briefly goes into detail about masks, disproving Anti-Maskers. Covid-19 mainly spreads to people through water droplets that travel into the air once anyone coughs, sneezes, talks, or shouts. It makes sense that the infection rate is high because Anti-Maskers communicate to one another and spread these respiratory droplets to each other, or even unsuspecting mask wearers.

Another independent study from Duke university confirms the effectiveness of masks. The website describes how studies show wearing masks that cover the nose and mouth provides a barrier to keep your water droplets from reaching others. Masks will also provide protection for yourself as well, Anti-Maskers. These cloth covers will stop respiratory droplets from entering your lungs, but these masks won’t stop oxygen in any way. You can even find several masks that do not deprive you of oxygen and are more comfortable for your needs. I recommend that if you don’t want to get sick, lose a few weeks of your job, and be harmed by Covid-19 you better mask up.

There is no downside to wearing masks besides personal discomfort, but you have to show some grit and cover-up like everyone else in order to beat this pandemic together. There’s definitely enough evidence to say that the greatest benefit of wearing masks is a great source control because it prevents larger, less avoidable droplets from spreading, therefore reducing the overall spread of the Coronavirus.

The infections and deaths from Covid-19 infections are still gradually growing so it's hard to disregard the fact that so many people have been significantly affected by this pandemic. Some have lost friends and family members. Others have experienced the depression of self-isolation or the burden of being a frontline worker. These effects are going to continue unless you decide to cover up.

To help confirm the usefulness of masks to fight the pandemic, mountains of data came to light to help clear the air regarding the effectiveness of masks. The study found evidence that US states mandating the use of face masks in public had a drastic reduction in reported COVID-19 growth rates after issuing these mandates. These results were observed on the basis of other current social distancing interventions and were independent of the CDC mask mandate issued in April 2020. Face masks combined with other preventative measures, like handwashing and social distancing help slow the spread of the virus, they’re quite simple tasks that these Anti-Maskers simply won't follow.

These comprehensive scientific studies suggest something, and without evidence, Anti-Maskers reject it. Especially when the data points in one direction, you can not pick and choose which parts of science you believe.

Consensus

You could wear two masks at once, and there wouldn't be any oxygen deprivation. Masks are protective; they're meant to protect you and others who may be more fragile. When you take a breath or cough or sneeze while wearing a mask, it shortens the distance droplets fly, in turn, reducing the spread of the virus that has greatly impacted our daily lives. Anti-Maskers you're going to be fine, you're not going to die from lack of oxygen.

Would you tell doctors not to wear masks during surgery? If, for example, the doctor sneezes without a mask during surgery, any of it will get into the body of the patient.

Simply wear your mask.

Sincerely,

Derek Dailey

East Valley Tribune

Cover Up Anti-Maskers

Why They're So Important

Consensus