Importance of Wearing a Mask Essay.pdf - The Importance of...

The Importance of Wearing Masks during Covid-19
As of 2020, Novel coronavirus has spread at an alarming rate, killing hundreds of
thousands of people over the span of a few months (Begley). To minimize the likelihood of
contracting or spreading disease during a pandemic, individuals must cooperate with authorities
by taking rigorous safety measures. Whether you are taking a morning stroll in your
neighbourhood, buying groceries, going to work, or taking the local bus, simple activities can
easily transmit Covid-19 from one person to another. Following advice from public health
officials is necessary to protect yourself, your family, and those in your community (Bai). Since
wearing a mask can prevent people who have Covid-19 from spreading the virus to others, it can
reduce death and psychological problems amid lockdown, and promote supply and demand in
the economy (Cambell).
The mechanisms of a mask can limit virus transmission by preventing Covid-19 carriers
from expelling respiratory droplets. Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist, stresses the
importance of wearing a mask—even if you think you do not have novel coronavirus—to protect
everyone (Bai). Hong states: "I think there's enough evidence to say that the best benefit is for
people who have COVID-19 to protect them from giving COVID-19 to other people, but you're
still going to get a benefit from wearing a mask if you don't have COVID-19" (Bai). Since the
virus is not visible to the naked eye, it is almost impossible to tell which person has the virus and
who does not, especially since many people may be asymptomatic carriers. Who knows? Maybe
even your next-door neighbour, who only goes out to buy groceries, could be infected with
Covid-19.
South Korea finds that the mortality rate in Covid-19 patients in their country is higher in
elderly patients due to their weakened immune system compared to younger patients: the death
rate in Covid-19 patients ages 80 and over was 10.4% and the rate in patients ages 29 and
younger was nearly zero (Begley). So, although you may think that Covid-19 will not affect you
if you are young, you should think about your elderly neighbours whose lives are at stake
whenever you go out without a mask. Protecting yourself from contracting a virus will also
protect those in your community. Furthermore, the Institute of Health Metrics reinforces the
importance of wearing masks: "...Evaluation suggests that 33,000 deaths could be avoided by
October 1 if 95 percent of people wore masks in public" (Bai). Many deaths can be prevented by
covering your mouth and nose securely with a mask.