I have no idea why this has become a political commentary in America, but it obviously has. I see people that appear to be young, fit, and healthy who walk around without a mask. There are numerous stories on the news about college kids not wearing masks and having large get togethers. I have even heard of some young people having COVID parties with a prize to whoever comes down with COVID first. I can’t think of much more stupid than that.
For those of you who don’t wear a mask because it somehow violates your rights, I want you to tell your dentist and doctor, especially if you go in for surgery, that they don’t need to bother with a mask. After all, there is no benefit, right? What if they feel their rights are being violated by wearing a mask to operate on you? You have NO room to complain if you are one of those people who claims wearing a mask is violating your rights. You do not have more rights (or fewer rights) than any other person.
There are several studies that show masks help limit the spread of germs. If there weren’t, then why would a surgeon or dentist bother? That’s just an extra precaution that costs more money. Let’s do away with masks completely. They don’t work anyway, according to some. Here are some studies that show masks are effective (study, study, study).
Maybe you don’t believe these studies. That’s fine. While you are at it, why not disbelieve basic germ theory? It must be humors, like the Greeks (read about that here) used to think, that make people sick, huh? Germs must be fictions made up by some scientist or another. Guess what, though? Not believing in germs doesn’t keep you from getting sick. Not wearing a mask makes it MORE likely that you will spread COVID to someone else. A large percentage of spread happens with people that are asymptomatic. But that’s okay because your right to not wear a mask is more important than someone else’s right to not get sick because of you. I have rarely heard a more selfish, self-centered view than that.
Just in case I haven’t been absolutely clear on my position on this topic, let me make sure I am crystal clear-wear a damn mask in public!