by Michelle Willson, Editor-in-Chief
Why is it such a debate to wear a mask? If scientist are right. You could be saving someone’s life and, if they’re wrong, you’re minorly inconveniencing yourself. Honestly, I like those odds.
I know there are some medical conditions where it makes it difficult to wear a mask. But, I have asthma, my whole family has asthma and a lot of my friends have asthma and wearing a mask does not bother any of us. I hate that people are using that as an excuse.
Having glasses does not classify as a medical excuse to not wear a mask. Yes, it’s a little frustrating when your glasses get fogged up, but that does not mean you should risk someone’s life by not wearing the mask.
Just look for the type of mask that will fit you best. Personally, I have glasses and I prefer fabric masks or bandanas because they fog up my glasses less. Neither of them affect my asthma.
When I say wear a mask I mean, wear a real mask, not the fake mesh masks that people are coming up with just because they’re a face covering. Wear something that will block particles from getting to other people. I don’t care if you’re outside and it’s hot, I think you should be wearing a mask because you don’t know who is around you and what their medical conditions are.
They could be immunocompromised or they could live with someone who is immunocompromised. Personally, I would probably be OK if I got COVID, but my mom would not be. My sister would also probably get really sick and maybe die, so I have to protect myself so I don’t give it to them. I don’t know why that’s so hard for people to understand. I understand that at some point it starts to get really hot and you might need to go to the bathroom and take it off and take a breather. That’s fair, but make sure you are socially distantancing away from people when you don’t have a mask on. Anytime you pass someone, or if you’re talking to someone, put it back on. It’s not that hard to do.
Wearing your mask properly means over your nose and your mouth. Having your nose stick out of your mask does not stop the spread of COVID. Your mask needs to cover your nose and your mouth completely. I personally think we should be abiding by the University’s rules about COVID and also going an extra step.
I know it’s frustrating that you can’t have other people in your dorm room, but you should also be limiting the amount of visitors you have. I don’t think you should have your friends over in the lobby every single day. I think you can go a day without seeing your significant other. That’s just more contact with other people that can be avoided. Figure out ways that you can stay in contact without being in physical contact with each other. Whether that be video chats, playing games online from your dorm rooms or things like those that you can completely be out of the way of physical contact.
If you got a positive Coronavirus test right now, think back to everything you’ve done the last two weeks. How many people would the university have to contact? How many people have you been in close contact with? Did you go to Howdy Week? Did you sit by someone at the movie night? Have you hung out with people in the dorms or have you went to The Bull or some other party? Think about everywhere you’ve been because you have to give the names to the University so they can contact people who would have been in contact with you.
Wear your mask, social distance and help us stay on campus. The fewer cases we have the longer we’ll be able to stay on campus. And if all of that doesn’t resonate with you… Do you love your grandmother? Then wear your freaking mask!