Masks or No Masks: Why is there a debate about this to begin with?

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronovirus 2. Also known as SARS-CoV-2, the RNA virus that has caused the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, and has changed the way of normal life. While some people are either asymptomatic, or get mild symptoms, over 1.15 million people (as of today, October 23,2020) have become casualties of this pandemic. In the US alone, almost 230 thousand Americans have died as a result of this virus.

While a vaccine is being developed to fight this virus, and end this pandemic, the current step to prevent spread is maintaining a distance of 6 feet between people, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, wearing a facial mask that covers your nose and mouth. Health officials across the world who have been working and fighting this virus have repeatedly said that the best way to slow this virus down is to keep your face covered, and maintaining a distance of 6 feet, while also practicing good hygiene habits.

So then, why are so many people against wearing masks? I get it, its hard to breathe while wearing one and living your daily life. It makes your face all sweaty during the summer, and its hard to wear with glasses. But when we live in a time where this virus is as easily transmittable by breathing on someone, which could also kill your grandparents, your diabetic family members, your asthmatic siblings or cousins, shouldn't we all do our part to keep everyone safe? If not for ourselves, shouldn't we at least worry about the people who are more susceptible and could suffer much worse than us if they catch COVID-19? Have we really fallen so low as human beings that we can't consider the fact that someone who has a preexisting condition could DIE as a result of this virus, even if we are asymptomatic?

Honestly, I want to know, what is the reason that some of you refuse to wear a mask? If its only cause "it's annoying," trust me, I feel the same way. But that doesn't mean I want to risk anyone I love who has a preexisting condition, or even those who don't and could still die from this virus, by not wearing a mask. If you have a mental health condition that prevents you from wearing a mask, I have no judgement. Because mental and physical health are how humans are able to live normal lives in this world. If one suffers, the other will too. PTSD, Anxiety, ADHD, and any other kind of mental health issue that could cause a person wearing a mask to suffer, should not have to wear one. BUT THAT'S the only time that I would have no judgement in a person not wearing a mask.

BUT IF YOUR REASON TO NOT WEARING A MASK IS BECAUSE ITS ANNOYING TO WEAR ONE ALL DAY, OR IF ITS BOTHERSOME, CHECK YOURSELF. It's bothersome for every single person who wears one, you're not alone there. But not wearing one will not make this virus go away any faster. In fact, by not wearing a mask, you are not only putting yourself at risk, you're putting your close ones at risk of getting this virus, and even dying from it.

Is it really worth the risk? Just to not feel annoyed, you choose to not wear a mask, and go into areas where COVID-19 is thriving instead of dying out. We're 7 months into this pandemic, and everyone's tired, mentally and physically. But has anyone bothered to wonder why its taken so long for this virus to die out? Take a look at New Zealand's cases of COVID-19, and take a look at the US's case of COVID-19. New Zealand was just as strict in restrictions as many places in the US at the beginning of this pandemic, but more people listened to the health experts and maintained social distancing, practiced proper hygiene, and most importantly, they WORE MASKS. Corona Virus 2019 is actually under control in NEW ZEALAND.

Here in the US, however, we're currently seeing a rise in cases, and a rise in deaths through 3/4 of the country. One of the reasons why its on the rise instead of slowing down again? People refuse to listen to the science. Why do people refuse to listen to the science? Because of the warped politicians, and their ideologies that have spread quite far across the country. These idiots chose to ignore the science, and come up with their own bullshit, that so many people have chosen to buy into. In reality though, anyone who refuses to listen to the science and wear a mask, will very likely not understand the severity of this virus until they themselves are infected, and that I can state as a fact.