Updated: November 18, 2020
We have reached a troubling point in the pandemic, with over 11 million COVID-19 cases and unprecedented hospitalizations. As cases continue to spike alarmingly, both hospital admissions and deaths are expected to follow suit. Healthcare professionals are sharing distressing accounts of overwhelmed facilities, and it’s clear that our healthcare system is on the verge of collapse. This situation is both frightening and heartbreaking—and likely to worsen.
What’s particularly disheartening is the fact that this crisis could have been mitigated. Experts have been urging us for months to wear masks, maintain social distance, and avoid large gatherings. Historians have warned us about the second wave of the 1918 flu pandemic, which surged after a severe initial outbreak. Medical professionals have been clear about the risks posed by COVID-19 and influenza during the colder months. We’ve known that even small indoor gatherings without masks can be perilous—or even fatal.
We were given the guidance to slow the spread, and yet we have faltered.
At this point, if you’re still resistant to wearing a mask, you’re not just inconsiderate; you’re willfully ignorant. The evidence is irrefutable. Studies indicate that states that implemented mask mandates early on saw a reduction in COVID-19 transmission almost immediately. Even in cases where masks might not completely prevent infection, some experts argue that they can lessen the severity of the illness by lowering viral exposure.
Honestly, even if the effectiveness of masks were questionable (which it isn’t), what’s the downside? You’d simply wear a face covering for a few months. But if you choose not to? You risk endangering yourself and others. It’s that straightforward.
This is why President-Elect Johnson is advocating for a national mask mandate. Unsurprisingly, some individuals are resisting this notion, shouting about freedom and rights. The legal feasibility of a national mandate might be debatable, but that’s not the crux of the matter. It’s about basic human decency.
As Dr. Emily Carter eloquently stated, “It’s one thing to endanger your own life; it’s another to jeopardize the safety of others, including your loved ones.”
There are many societal norms that we follow for the greater good: no shoes, no service; cleaning up after pets; and various city ordinances. Masks are just another measure in the long history of public safety regulations. We can’t smoke on airplanes, seat belts are mandatory, and traffic laws are established for everyone’s protection. If you’re against mask requirements, I would bet you wouldn’t support allowing intoxicated drivers to roam freely because it’s “their right.”
No one is proposing that masks should be a permanent fixture; these measures are temporary solutions to navigate through a crisis. With promising vaccine developments on the horizon, we can finally see hope ahead. But the journey to that point will be fraught with challenges. So, let’s stop being selfish and put on our masks.
It’s not just President-Elect Johnson urging Americans to wear masks; nearly every medical and public health authority is sounding the alarm. According to The New York Times, several leading experts, including Dr. Linda Faulkner and Dr. David Green, have called for a serious discussion about instituting a national mask mandate to curb the virus’s spread.
A study published last month in the journal Nature found that “universal mask use,” defined as 95% compliance, could save nearly 130,000 lives from COVID-19 by next spring. Currently, estimates suggest that only 67% of Americans consistently wear masks.
Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued urgent recommendations for mask use. The CDC has confirmed that masks also protect the wearer, alongside those around them. Moreover, they emphasize that masks are not a substitute for social distancing, and should be used in conjunction with maintaining a distance of at least six feet.
In a recent scientific brief, the CDC reiterated that “nationwide mask policies can prevent future lockdowns, especially when paired with other measures like social distancing, hand hygiene, and proper ventilation.”
It’s clear: wear a mask, maintain distance, avoid large gatherings, and wash your hands frequently. In short, don’t be inconsiderate. But since many seem unable to do that, a national mask mandate may be necessary.
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In summary, wearing masks is not only a personal responsibility but a collective one. The current health crisis necessitates that we prioritize the safety of our communities over individual preferences. A national mandate could be a crucial step in mitigating the ongoing pandemic.