Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, people all over the world adjust to incorporate masks into their daily routines. The problem with this is that some people refuse to wear masks. This is one of the many factors that has contributed to the rise of COVID-19 cases in the United States.

Never in a million years would I have thought we would live through a global pandemic, but here we are, trying to navigate through this new normal. I can not even begin to remember the last time I left my house without a mask. The immediate panic I feel when I forget to put on my mask before going into the grocery store, a restaurant, or even church without a mask on is unreal. And though this is a feeling I, along with many others, experience, some Americans don’t feel the same way.

Wearing a mask has become an important topic of discussion recently as the new vaccine is only accessible to certain groups of people for the time being, and it has become a nationwide debate whether or not we need to wear masks in order to stop the spread. Personally speaking, I think that everyone should be social-distancing and wearing masks. This minor inconvenience will not only protect yourself from the virus but will also protect every single person you come in contact with.

It is important to wear a mask because it can slow the spread of the virus. The numbers could be mitigated if everyone were to listen to health officials and wear a mask. It is also important to wear a mask because you don’t know who already has the virus. Some people can be asymptomatic with no visible symptoms, while others can be physically ill for up to three weeks. At first, we were told that only elders and people with pre-existing health conditions would be at risk. But we are now learning that people of any age can be affected by the virus.

People who refuse to wear masks significantly increase their chance of contracting the virus. Studies conducted by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) prove that people who wear masks properly and participate in social distancing drastically decrease their chance of contracting COVID-19. The mask becomes a barrier to respiratory droplets that can spread easily and infect you. Wearing a mask can greatly reduce your chances of testing positive. This goes to show how wearing a mask will not only prevent the spread of the virus, but it will also keep you and others safe.

Over the past few months, the virus has become highly politicized and turned into a debate between both parties. In fact, some people go out of their way to show off that they do not need to wear a mask. People are refusing to wear a mask because they believe it is against their constitutional rights and by wearing a mask, they are losing their freedoms. While others simply refuse to wear the mask because they do not have the virus and or do not feel like wearing a mask for such a long period of time. However, this issue should not be taken lightly. There is still a deadly virus going around that is killing hundreds of Americans every day.

Join me as I continue to advocate the importance of wearing a mask. Although you might think you look dumb, or that your mask ruins your outfit, just understand that you are only endangering yourself and those around you. The coronavirus will not go away on its own. We are all in this together, and until the vaccine is accessible to all Americans, we should all do our part in wearing masks and social distancing to help slow the spread. This virus is no joke and it will get worse before it gets better. We must stay vigilant and work together.