Masks
By
Brooke L.
How often do you see
someone sitting in their car alone wearing a mask, thinking it’s going to do
something? Many of us have been wearing masks to stop the spread of
coronavirus, but is that really true? Many researchers say that masks are
scientifically proven to not work.
“Yeah, that might be
good, but there’s limited data on whether face masks are actually effective,”
says Benn, a global-health researcher at the University of Southern Denmark in
Copenhagen. I’m all for getting rid of COVID, but are masks the right way? As a
matter of fact, most masks, unless they are N95 medical-grade masks, are
ineffective and do not protect you or other people from transmission of the
virus. This has been proven in many studies; even the CDC has stated that the
common masks do not protect against COVID like an N95. Most of us are wearing the “common” non-N95
masks, which are around 20% effective, at best, against COVID. "Cloth
masks are not going to cut it with Omicron," says Linsey Marr, a researcher
at Virginia Tech.
Masks are not easy for everyone, especially those with cognitive health problems. Have you ever thought about the struggles of wearing a mask? According to mind.org, there are ways in which you may struggle with wearing a face mask or covering. Some people feel anxious or panicky, as covering your mouth and nose might affect the air you breathe. “I get very anxious about all the people who wear masks.” This can cause symptoms like feeling dizzy or sick. You might feel trapped or claustrophobic. “I feel very claustrophobic, and the masks make my face sore,” says a mask user.
Covering your face
changes the way you look, which may cause rejecting feelings around your
identity or body image. If you wear glasses, they might steam up so you can't
see clearly. This might add to feeling overwhelmed. Masks are a reminder of the
virus, so seeing masks might make you feel on edge or unable to relax.
You might feel anxious
about being judged or shamed in public. You might feel upset if people assume
you are avoiding wearing a mask for the “wrong” reasons. This may feel
especially hard if the reason you can't wear a mask is linked to your mental
health. Kids or even adults have to wear masks when they are playing any type
of sport. Do you think that might cause breathing difficulties? It does. “To require athletes to ‘mask up’
while competing is a penalty they should not be required to suffer. Please
amend your executive order and let our athletes breathe,” said an athlete's
mother. Breathing through masks while playing sports is especially
problematic for people who have asthma.
As kids and young adults
are trying to learn and listen to their teachers, it’s challenging for them.
With the face mask that people have on, you can hardly hear. Add to the fact
that classrooms are naturally noisy due to surrounding noises, such as air
conditioning, computer fans, buzzing lights, and hallway noises. Let's not
forget the assured people noises of scratching, shuffling, crumpling, talking,
and tapping. This is adding to the struggle of hearing teachers, especially
that now they will be wearing masks that will muffle their voices.“Due to the
Coronavirus pandemic my fourth grade students will enter, they are expected to
wear face masks in the learning environment, and I, too, will be wearing a face
mask. I am concerned that the muffled nature of the mask may prevent some
students from clearly hearing the learning.” This is from a fourth grade teacher who states the masks are
limiting her students’ learning.
The mask mandate has even
been lifted to optional at schools in New York. This past spring, Niagara City
Schools Superintendent, Mark Laurrie, spoke on the state allowing districts to
decide the matter themselves. Laurrie noted that, “when masks were optional for
students during a six-week summer session last year, only one COVID-19
infection was reported among the children, and about 70% of the children wore
masks even though having a face covering was not required.”
We can fight COVID, but
not with masks. We will fight together until we are back to our healthy normal
lives!
In your Personal Narrative, you claim that masks are ineffective and inefficient in your writing. I disagree with your claim about the masks not helping against COVID-19 because they do help if you wear them correctly. One piece of information from the CDC that supports my claim is that “Masks and respirators are effective at reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 when worn consistently and correctly.” This proves that masks actually do help and reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
ReplyDeleteIn her story she talks about COVID-19. She says “Many of us have been wearing masks to stop the spread of coronavirus, but is that really true?.” I disagree with her. Covid is a real thing that is spreading around the world. The reason I say this is because covid is real. You hear about it on the news and in real life. On the news you will hear the high rises of the covid deaths or people who caught it. She also says “Many researchers say that masks are scientifically proven to not work.” I think that's a lie because most everyone in the world uses them and they seem like they do their job well. She states that we can get through covid without masks. She thinks that masks do not help the covid problem and we would do better without them.
ReplyDeleteBrooke, I can partially disagree with your topic about masks. “when masks were optional for students during a six-week summer session last year, only one COVID-19 infection was reported among the children, and about 70% of the children wore masks even though having a face covering was not required.” but students still wore their masks and there would probably be a few more cases if they didn't wear a mask. Ad yes, “Ordinary” masks might only be 20% effective but they are still somewhat effective! But I can also agree that masks can cause irritation in kids and can affect learning in schools. “I am concerned that the muffled nature of the mask may prevent some students from clearly hearing the learning.” It is a fine reason why people might be opposed to masks. But covid is a real thing. And masks help stop it.
ReplyDeleteBrooke, this editorial is copious with facts, and you did a great job finding interviews with people who have been affected by the mask mandates. However, when you stated "Most of us are wearing the “common” non-N95 masks, which are around 20% effective, at best, against COVID.", Wouldn't fighting off the 20% still be better than 0% effective? And an article from AMA ( America Medical Association ) states, "N95 masks “are made of multiple layers of a synthetic fiber called polypropylene and if they are worn as instructed, they block 95% of particles in the air from passing through,” said Dr. Edje." Overall, your editorial was very passionate and was very well-structured and laid out, giving the facts and people's points of view on your topic as well.
ReplyDeleteI really agree with this one because wearing a mask is such an awful thing. It makes you itch and breaks out. Wearing a mask can be very annoying sometimes even when you're an athlete. When you are trying to play a sport you have to always worry about wearing a mask and not being able to breathe in it. When Brooke L says “We can fight COVID, but not with masks. We will fight together until we are back to our healthy normal lives!” Not only do I really agrees with this but I also we should be able to get freed from wearing masks. Not having to worry if we don’t have one or forgot one. Let's fight this together but without masks. And not having to worry about getting sick.
ReplyDelete