For me, wearing a mask is the difference between breathing normally and having an asthma attack – an uncontrollable coughing fit until it becomes extremely difficult to breathe.
A mask helps me on an airplane, on a bus, in the theater, while standing in line, and many other places where I am close to other people. Many fragrances and smoke are definite triggers. For me, wearing a mask is not useless or any kind of statement. A mask allows me to live my life as normal as possible, decreasing tremendous anxiety caused by the unknown scents I will encounter. It is a matter of health.
These past few weeks, I have read many arguments attempting to discredit the use of masks to avoid the spread of COVID-19. There are an equal number of arguments in favor. It is reasonable to wear a mask to avoid the natural occurrence of spit gushing forth from our mouths while speaking or singing. A person who is sick with an airborne illness can easily pass on the illness to another. A mask quickly traps our saliva and avoids infecting others. For this reason, surgeons wear simple, thin surgical masks while cutting into patients. I would not want the staff of the operation room to work on me without a mask.
Requiring the usage of masks these days in public spaces is not ridiculous. It is the smart and healthy choice. Masks work and save lives.
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