We can breathe just fine while wearing masks. This is a scientific reality. A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Respiratory Public Health assessed the impact of cloth and surgical masks on athletic performance and found that young, healthy individuals experienced no drop in arterial oxygen levels, even during demanding exercises. While second graders aren’t undertaking intense cycling tests, they also shouldn’t risk transmitting the Delta variant to vulnerable family members. It’s not mask mandates that are disrupting childhood; it’s your unwillingness to follow basic Covid safety measures.
My children haven’t stepped outside our property without masks since around March 2020, and their childhood has only been negatively affected by those who refuse to take the pandemic seriously. Their social interactions have been limited due to the ongoing risks, especially with the Delta variant making a resurgence.
I’m looking at you, mask mandate opponents: the overlap between those against mask mandates and those against Covid vaccinations is striking. You’re the ones making grocery trips feel like a game of Frogger, dodging unmasked individuals. You ignore the overwhelming Covid death toll that far exceeds that of World War II. You hold “Free the Smiles” rallies, claiming that wearing masks is somehow harmful.
Yes, I just referred to a sitting Congresswoman as “selfish.” She has compared mask mandates to the Holocaust, so I think “anti-Semitic” is well-deserved.
Mask Mandates Are a Shield for You
My kids wear masks everywhere. They run around, even in the summer heat, without a second thought, just like how vaccines eradicated diseases like yellow fever in the U.S. We could significantly improve Covid rates in the same way—if only more people would get vaccinated. Without mask mandates, children like Madison and Aiden risk bringing the Delta variant home to unvaccinated family members. If you’re complaining about mask mandates, chances are you haven’t received your vaccine.
Imagine an entire family suffering from Covid. This isn’t some high school drama; Covid stealthily infiltrates your body and can be deadly. Yes, it can kill. Just ask the families who have lost loved ones.
Mask Mandates Protect Our Kids
Covid can indeed harm children. In Columbia, South Carolina, hospitals are overwhelmed with pediatric respiratory cases. “We are seeing the impact of the second (COVID-19) surge here at Children’s Hospital in a much more powerful way than we ever saw with the first surge,” said Dr. Sarah Mitchell, a pediatric infectious disease expert. The American Academy of Pediatrics highlights that one-third of children hospitalized for Covid end up in the ICU. Yes, some children may be asymptomatic, but many can become very ill.
Do you really want your child in the ICU? When you resist mask mandates, you’re saying you don’t care if they do. Things that disrupt childhood include being hospitalized, being hooked up to machines, and, yes, even dying. Wearing a mask is not on that list.
How Difficult Is It?
Let’s focus on the basics: what does it truly cost you and your children to wear masks and protect others? It’s simply a piece of cloth covering your face. No one’s asking for hazmat suits or virtual classrooms. It’s a mask. If your glasses fog up, just adjust them slightly. Why is this such a burden? We have established that masks are safe (and if you think otherwise, you might be trapped in a misinformation spiral). Can’t you encourage your child to wear a mask to potentially save lives?
No? That’s unfortunate. You’re teaching your kids to be self-centered and inconsiderate, just like you. During World War II, our grandparents made sacrifices, going without basic supplies. They faced hardships for the greater good.
Your Child’s Childhood Is Just Fine
Virtual learning disrupts childhood. Isolation from peers disrupts childhood. Masks? Not really. Covid disrupts childhood. Losing family members disrupts childhood. You can find masks adorned with fun designs, like Baby Yoda.
Mask mandates not only save lives but also protect kids who wear masks from being bullied by peers who think wearing one is lame. That happens, too.
So please, stop with the “Save the Smiles” protests. Your refusal to comply has led us to this situation. With basic precautions, we could have mitigated this pandemic, but many chose not to. Accept the consequences. Since you struggle to make informed decisions about public health, it’s only fair that we implement mask mandates.
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Summary:
Mask mandates are not obstructing childhood; rather, it is the refusal to adhere to basic Covid precautions that poses a threat to children’s well-being. Masks are a small sacrifice to ensure the safety of our loved ones and to prevent the spread of the virus. With the ongoing Covid crisis, the importance of wearing masks cannot be overstated. Instead of resisting, we should focus on protecting our communities and supporting our children’s health.