By: Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit
Perhaps one of the most striking lifestyle changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic is the mandatory use of face masks in grocery stores, restaurants and other public places. Wearing a mask, especially when in close proximity to others, is imperative to slowing the spread of COVID-19. There is still so much to learn about COVID-19 but, as we all venture back out to restaurants, stores, get-to-gathers and re-join our families for birthdays and anniversaries, it is important to make wearing a mask giving a top priority.
Wearing a mask can make all the difference for the people you love, your friends, neighbors, and our community. Wearing a mask can reduce threats to our community’s essential workers, including medical personnel, who’ve shown their commitment to our safety, health, and well-being. Wearing a mask sends a visual signal that you understand the importance of physical distancing and following healthy behaviors. There are many who argue that wearing a mask does not serve purpose but while we can’t quantify how effective it is to wear a mask, we do know it offers some protection while not wearing one offers none. In short, we are all at the lowest risk when everyone wears a mask.
By wearing a mask and helping reduce the numbers of individuals who contract the disease, we can ensure fewer people will suffer serious, long-term effects that continue after recovery from the virus. However, if we wear the mask in a floppy manner that doesn’t cover your mouth and nose properly, your risk of catching the virus will increase. Face masks can help protect against many respiratory infections that are spread through the droplet route, and that includes coronavirus and the flu. Wearing a mask is recommended when we are indoors with others and can’t reliably maintain the six-foot social distancing rules.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped life as we know it. Many of us are staying home, avoiding people on the street and changing daily habits, like going to school or work, in ways we never imagined.
Masks and face coverings can prevent the wearer from transmitting the COVID-19 virus to others and may provide some protection to the wearer. It is estimated that 40% of persons with COVID-19 are a symptomatic but potentially able to transmit the virus to others. Wearing masks is an extremely important habit to form now that every one of us should be applying since this simple step could significantly reduce the risk of transmission. Universal mask use can significantly reduce virus transmission in the community by preventing anyone, including those who are unwittingly carrying the virus, from transmitting it to others.
Masks can also reduce the inequitable impact of the pandemic, particularly for those who live in crowded environments where physical distancing is difficult, and for those who work in frontline roles where there is a greater risk of exposure to the virus.
Wearing a mask is about personal responsibility. It’s about being a good and decent human being, uniting and sacrificing together for the common good. Wearing a mask protects me from you and you from me. Wearing a mask is a way to show support for everyone else in our community. Together, we can slow the spread of the virus. For yourself, for those you love and all the people who are important in your life.