Why does mask-wearing have to be so political? Throughout these past few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an unreasonable argument to not wear masks. For some reason, some Americans think that freedom is about risking other people’s health and disregarding others. And some also think that wearing masks are an infringement of their rights or a submission to the ‘agenda.’ These people often argue that it’s “my body, my choice.” But choose to switch their opinions when it's about women’s reproductive rights and children in detention centers. I have been seeing this pattern of feeling oppressed when something slightly threatens someone’s power or privilege. Though I do believe in freedom and liberty, these people have been twisting it to their own narrative to not do something that can benefit themselves and others as well. How hard is it to put a piece of cloth or fabric onto your nose and mouth to help stop the spread of a disease that has killed hundreds of thousands of people? Why do you think this health guideline turned political? Do you think masks should be mandatory to stop these senseless people? Or should we let them run rampant?
These people have some good traits. For example, they question everything they are told and don't just accept every statement as fact. However, they are questioning the wrong things. They have been brainwashed and manipulated somehow into making the issue about masks rather than the virus itself. Masks have become a political stance. If you wear a mask you are a sheep and a slave to the government. In their eyes, if you do not wear a mask you are standing against oppression. They have not realized that by refusing masks they themselves are the sheep who blindly follow conspiracies. These people are in denial and are constantly humiliated on the internet, but it only cements their beliefs further. Somehow all the people laughing at them confirms their prejudices. Masks should have been mandatory from the start instead of once the United States started shattering records for reported cases. Letting these people run amok is the most counterproductive thing we could do.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it should be mandatory to wear masks, however; the people who believe this is an infringement on freedom would not comply because they are still stubborn and refuse to change their mind. Thankfully, stores are able to refuse service to people not wearing masks. This seems to have turned political because people always question the government for decisions made. This is a good thing but becomes problematic when we know masks are beneficial in the long run. In addition, people say they cannot breathe when they wear masks but in my opinion, I feel that this statement is exaggerated because when I go out to the grocery stores or to run important errands, the mask is not stifling. These people should not be allowed to run rampant. Stores refusing service to people not wearing masks help decrease the amount of people not wearing masks.
ReplyDeleteI truly do not get the other side. It is human decency now to wear a mask. Wearing a mask may not only help your life but will also help save others. Many argue that it is hard to breathe in, but as someone who struggles with severe asthma and is claustrophobic, I have no trouble wearing a mask. Even if you feel like a mask is a trouble, you could stay home. Honestly, I feel that this health guideline turned political because people start to believe in conspiracy theories that show how COVID-19 is not real and is part of a government scheme. Even after being constantly told to wear a mask, they do not listen. I believe masks should be mandatory because it will help contain COVID-19. If we let these people run rampant, the case numbers would rise rapidly.
ReplyDeleteI feel as if there shouldn't even be an argument about something that should be human decency as Cindy said. It's a selfish argument and often comes off as very privileged. Many people couldn't even leave their houses before the pandemic due to personal reasons, so the fact that it's so difficult for people to stay inside or even wear a mask if they have to go out is completely ridiculous. I know that some people have arguments as to why they "can't" wear them, bust most have been lousy excuses. People are downplaying how easily the virus spreads and it's the reason we all have to continue quarantine for the fall semester. I just feel that many people's efforts were wasted because those who actually obeyed the social distancing guidelines are now being forced to pay for those who feel that wearing a mask is imposing on their "freedom." It's not political, it's life or death.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Salome that it shouldn't even be a question as to whether we should leave our houses without masks. Personally, I wouldn't even feel safe leaving my house to get groceries or gas or anything without a mask. I don't understand how people can be so stubborn and disrespectful to those who are healthy, and would like to stay that way. It's not right to put thousands of other people in danger, just because you don't want to put a cloth over your face to contain your own germs.
ReplyDeleteHi Matthew! I am confused when people refuse to wear a mask, and it is upsetting to me as it can put people in all age groups at risk. There are doctors and nurses that are obligated to wear four layers of protection when working with sick patients. Their faces display swollen marks from the masks since they are wearing it for fourteen hours, so what's the problem on wearing one mask for fifteen minutes? I strongly believe in freedom as well, but the people turning a health guideline into a political issue is simply manipulating our given rights into their own favor. The health guideline is simple, either stay home or wear a mask.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Matthew, I definitely do not understand the logic of refusing masks to because they don't want to be controlled by the government. There are so many more reasons to wear mask like protecting yourself and others from the virus. Wearing a mask is not even that bad. To bombard doctors and nurses because you chose to not wear a mask and get the virus is so insincere and could've been prevented. I also agree with Salome about how human decency should not even be a debate.
ReplyDeleteAs a person who has lost someone to Covid, it sucks that people still think not wearing a mask is for their freedom. If people contine to now wear masks, then the disease will never end. Nothing will open back up and we will have aCovid filled Country.
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