It's true: at the beginning of this pandemic, officials were saying that masks would not do much. At the beginning, everyone was told that masks would likely not work.
BUT there was an addendum to that statement. Masks work primarily to protect others. I wear a mask in public buildings because I could be asymptomatic and spread the virus to someone else. Mask-wearing is for the good of those around us, while providing minimal protection to ourselves (though minimal protection is still a positive aspect). The reason why I hope that others wear masks is so that I also feel protected from exposed individuals. I wear a mask for the consideration of others and also hope that others will take my health into consideration as well.
It's true: there are individuals with severe health issues who cannot wear a mask without physically harming themselves. These people are still members of society - so telling these folks that 'if they are too sick to wear a mask then they should never leave their home' is ridiculous. Beyond ridiculous. As though disabled individuals do not feel ostracized enough from society. The same people who were protesting against the lockdown and touting severe side effects of being told to stay home for a couple of weeks are now asking the most vulnerable to stay home indefinitely. At best, it is hypocritical, at worst it is utterly selfish. Being severely ill is (most often) not a choice, and people should not be continuously punished for something out of their control by being told they are not worthy of a quality of life.
It's true: masks are posing some problems. There are people who are deaf who rely on lip-reading to socialize. There have been cases of mistaken identity and even fraud because our identification system relies on being able to see the entirety of a person's face. Masks are our current line of defense, along with all of the other guidelines have been put in place. We are not so well into this pandemic that we have everything figured out. That is what happens when we are facing a brand new contagion (why do people keep forgetting that this is new to everyone?) It takes a while to find solutions to each and every issue - but we, as a society, will also be the ones who solve these issues. Creating masks with clear fabric at the mouth is one of those solutions. We have lost our ability to be patient in this instant-gratification-focused world. These issues can be solved by thinking creatively, and I have faith in our ability to make improvements as we go along.
It's true: mandating everyone to wear a mask unless specifically exempt has been a divisive issue. People are feeling herded and forced to follow these rules even when they disagree with them. For me, this issue is simple. We were all TOLD that if we could not come together, for the consideration of others, that masks would be made mandatory. We were TOLD that if people continued to ignore social distancing and continued to flout the guidelines, that masks would be made mandatory. We were given MONTHS to adjust to this idea that if we could not behave as adults and collectively decide that our individual desires are less important than keeping people ALIVE, then masks would be made mandatory.
Our own behaviours are why we now have to wear masks - we were not responsible enough to follow simple guidelines, so now they have been made mandatory. We made this bed.
It's true: officials have said that if we cannot manage social distancing then masks should be worn. This statement has been falsely taken to mean that we CAN be close to others as long as we wear masks. That is not how I believe the statement was intended. For those who absolutely have no choice but to be in close contact of others should wear a mask. That is why you see dentists and doctors constantly wearing masks (long before Covid) - for the protection of their patients and themselves. This statement was for those who are not in a position to stay 6 feet apart - not for those who just want to party. A mask is not an open invitation to resume normal behaviours pre-pandemic. Even if you are wearing a mask, that 6 feet distance should be maintained whenever possible. The mask is simply an added measure - not a replacement for social distancing.
We have lived in a society where we help to protect others by giving up some of our own individual desires. For example: smoking is no longer allowed in public spaces because we collectively want to protect others from its dangers - and smoking is a serious addiction.
This is a moment in time where we were first being asked to behave responsibly and help protect our society as a whole by making one simple decision: wearing a mask in public and staying 6 feet away from others as much as possible.
Because of our inability to follow these guidelines and the numbers of cases and deaths again rising, masks have been made mandatory.
Remember, as well, that officials and businesses are simply asking for face coverings that cover the nose and mouth. So wearing a bandana, so often seen on motorcyclists, is perfectly acceptable. A dust mask, often used in construction, is acceptable. Scarves and balaclavas are acceptable (which, for those of us in certain parts of Canada, are worn 6-8 months out of the year anyways).
If we did our part, then maybe masks would not have had to be mandated. Maybe people who cannot wear masks would not have to put up with dirty looks. Maybe confrontations would not be so high in public. Maybe, if we behaved like adults, we would not be so divided on what is truly a simple issue. Wearing a mask is not a 'sacrifice', it is a consideration.
I wear a mask for the protection of my family, my friends, my neighbours, strangers, and myself.
**Wearing a mask is for the consideration of everyone - including the individual - instead of refusing to wear a mask which only considers the individual.**
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