Wearing a mask is responsible thing to do, says reader

To the Editor:

It seems as if society has become more and more selfish with an attitude of “it’s all about me and what I want to do” – with little or no regard for others.

Wearing a mask is a reasonable, prudent and responsible thing to do. It not only offers a level of protection for the wearer, but more importantly, it offers protection for others around you – from you. You could be pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic and don’t know it; therefore, unwittingly spreading the virus to others.

At the start of the pandemic, experts didn't know the extent to which people with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) could spread the virus before symptoms appeared. Nor was it known that some people can have COVID-19 but not have any symptoms. Both groups can unknowingly spread the virus to others.

This is the crux of this dilemma. Wearing a mask is just another layer of protection in addition to frequent hand-washing, physical-distancing, coughing or sneezing into your sleeve, and staying home if unwell.

You have to remember that we've known about COVID-19 for only a few months, and the experts are learning more about the virus every day. And as the experts learn more about it, recommendations and guidelines regarding additional ways to combat the spread, may change and evolve.

In the initial stages of the pandemic, we were in lock-down – businesses had to close, people were instructed to stay home except to go out for necessities, such as groceries or medications. We did it, because it was the responsible thing to do. And our efforts appear to have paid off for that sacrifice.

Now that we’re entering into Phase 3 of re-opening, there are going to be more people allowed at various indoor venues, which is why it’s even more important to wear masks. Compared to having to restrict going out for so many weeks, the simple act of wearing a mask in a store, etc., isn’t a “hardship” – so what’s the problem? Put a mask on before entering a store, and take it off when you get back outside – hardly “rocket science”! 

In the grand scheme of things, the simple act of wearing a mask seems like a small inconvenience to keep the number of new COVID-19 cases, here in Grey-Bruce, at zero – which at the time of writing this, the Grey Bruce Health Unit has reported no new cases for 10 consecutive days. Let’s all do our part to try and keep it that way.

We’re all living with a “new normal” until a vaccine or effective treatment becomes available. The sooner we all co-operate and heed the recommendations of the medical experts and abide by the guidelines in place everywhere for our safety, hopefully, the sooner we’ll be able to return to a more familiar normal.

Don’t be a Covidiot!

Marlene Chornie
Kincardine