To Mask or Not To Mask

In March of 2020 the world was introduced to a deadly virus known as COVID-19. This virus would propel the world into a pandemic. COVID-19 was originally thought to have come from China where the first cases were diagnosed, but the true origins of it can never be really known. COVID-19 has ravaged the world and has forever changed the way we interact with one another. Almost everyone has been affected by COVID-19, whether directly or indirectly. So little was known about COVID-19 but what was known was that it could easily spread from person to person.

COVID-19 had a drastic effect on several areas like our food service industry, travel industry, entertainment industry and religious settings. People were no longer allowed to gather in these venues that often drew large crowds. Many businesses had to shut their doors and many people lost their jobs as a result. During this chaos, companies started laying off people by the masses. The unemployment rate skyrocketed to a rate that had not been seen in a long time. The unemployment call centers were so overwhelmed by the constant calls and inquiries that accessing the system online became the only option for the unemployed who were already suffering.

There were shortages on the necessities such as toilet tissue, hand sanitizers, alcohol, dish detergent and of course the famous Lysol spray. Those shortages led many to violence, shoving and pulling to get what they needed became the norm. COVID-19 also caused a strain on our food supply. Stores had limited supplies of bread, pasta, egg, cheese, beans and other basics. Many shelves were empty. In addition there were mandates on how much of each item you could buy and there were signs posted stating limit 2 per customer. Pantries became a main source of food for those who lost their income. Pantry lines stretched as hundreds lined up for help. Children who normally relied on school supplied lunches were forced to look for other options or go hungry. Learning was also a challenge for children who were no longer able to have their daily classroom instruction but were forced to learn from a computer screen. Parents working from home had to take on the new role of teacher to make sure their children didn’t fall behind.

Our front-line hospital workers were overwhelmed physically and emotionally. Daily they witnessed the death and despair in the individuals who succumbed to COVID-19. Even through the stress they remained strong and did what they could to educate the public on what the virus was and how it spread. They shared what they saw and urged the public to wear masks and wash their hands often to avoid being a casualty of the virus. Despite what was being shared, there were some who didn't believe that the virus existed, continued to gather en masse and outright refused to wear masks. For those who wanted to do their part to help lessen the spread of COVID-19, wearing masks, social distancing and restricting large gatherings became the new norm.

Scientists rushed to create a vaccine that would rid us of this deadly virus and the first doses were administered in November 2020. The public reception to the vaccine was mixed. Some thought that it was a cure and a way to get back to some sense of normalcy. Being vaccinated could allow them to see their loved ones who many had not seen in over a year. On the other hand there were those that rejected the vaccine because of the speed in which it was developed. They felt it was not fully researched and outright refused to take it.

As of May 2021 vaccines are being offered at various grocery stores, pharmacies and urgent care as a means to ensure full access to those who want the vaccine. Although the vaccine is now available to all, there are still apprehensions by many to take the vaccine. States are now offering incentives, in the form of lottery tickets and free money, to vaccinate hesitant individuals in the hopes that they will be convinced to take the vaccine.

On May 14, 2021, the CDC updated their guidelines for wearing masks. The guideline states that fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing themselves, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. If they travel, they should still take steps to protect themselves and others. They will still be required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.

Following the CDC’s announcement many states have moved to fully eliminate the mask mandate. As the mask mandate has been lifted, walking around you can see a mix of people with and without masks, with and without a COVID-19 vaccination. In the beginning of the mask mandate there were many that refused to wear a mask. How can we be sure those walking around are truly vaccinated? Do we require proof of vaccination as individuals enter establishments? If businesses and governmental agencies require proof, are they now to become experts in weeding out the legitimate and the fake proofs of vaccination? Are we entrusting our lives to people that clearly didn’t have a social conscience?

Currently the COVID-19 new cases are down but are we really done with COVID-19? Is now the time to drop the mask restrictions? Are we making a mistake rushing in and forgetting where we have all come from- a pandemic that took the lives of so many. What do we do about the immune compromised persons that due to their health the vaccine may not prevent COVID-19 ? What do we do with those that are not vaccinated, do we force them to take the vaccination? And if we do, will this be a violation of their freedom to decide.

So my question to you today, with the current ruling from the CDC, do you plan on still wearing your mask or have you taken off your mask and what is your reasoning for taking off your mask or continuing to wear your mask?

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