To Mask or Not to Mask

Everyone has an opinion on this subject. Everyone has found an “expert” to back up their opinion. It’s a hot topic in conversations and online. Strong feelings are expressed; people are exasperated at those who steadfastly refuse to agree with their stance on the subject. The heated debate goes on... and on... and on...

The mainstream news anchors, Federal and Provincial top doctors, and numerous scientists are recommending the wearing of face masks in all public places where physical distancing is not possible. Those sitting on this side of the argument agree - because you may, unknowingly, be an asymptomatic carrier, a mask worn properly may be an effective tool to protect others from you. 

On the flip side of this issue stands the strong individualist. The government, they say, is using the pandemic to control the people, to restrict our freedoms! It’s a hoax. COVID-19 is no worse than the annual flu and no more deadly. Masks don’t work. The whole thing is overblown. Those in power are afraid to admit their pandemic strategy has needlessly caused economic hell and a state of fear for the public. They’ve made a colossal error and are at a loss for a real solution. 

COVID-19 is serious and often deadly for the elderly and those with compromised immune systems and/or pre-existing medical conditions. Infected healthy people generally recover and many have only mild symptoms. So why shut the economy down!! Why don’t we protect the vulnerable and let the rest of us get back to normal? Great idea. Tell me, how are we going to accomplish that? Vulnerable people do not live, nor thrive, in isolation. Someone who thought they were virus free carried COVID-19, directly or indirectly, to every vulnerable person who contracted it.

Sadly, there’s one thing this pandemic has brought to the forefront - grandmothers, grandfathers, elderly parents, the sick or immune compromised, the poor, the homeless, and the druggies seem to be pretty much expendable in the eyes of our hedonistic society. The mismanaged nursing homes across the country certainly attest to that.

Regardless of where we stand on the issue, I think Canadians should go along with the government’s guidelines and wear a mask, mandated or not, without griping or causing a fuss. Why? Only one of my reasons addresses the effectiveness of masks - it’s easy, not all that uncomfortable, and IT MAY HELP!

Other reasons... just as important.

Wear a mask: out of respect for those who are in any way vulnerable; in order to alleviate some of the fear in the eyes of those who do not think this is a hoax; to lower the level of anxiety in those who take COVID-19 seriously because anxiety can lower our immune response; for the essential workers in the stores where we shop whose employer is trying to keep his business open and is complying with the rules laid down by the parent company; for nurses and doctors, cooks, custodial staff in our hospitals and care homes - people who are directly in contact with infected individuals at their workplace and stressed on a daily basis; so smaller businesses can open their doors once again; to honour all those directly affected by the loss of someone they love.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

So many gods, so many creeds, So many paths that wind and wind, While just the art of being kind is all the sad world needs. - Ella Wheeler Wilcox, poet (5 Nov 1850-1919)