“So you don’t want to be on lockdown...”

Would you drop off your child on a shark-infested beach and tell them to have a great swim? If you are rolling your eyes in disgust at this ridiculous question, then maybe you would consider protecting your child from contagious environments conducive to the Delta variant of the Coronavirus.

I get it. You don’t want anyone to tell you how to parent your children. I get that you don’t want to be on lockdown. However, I have a hard time understanding that many of you refuse to comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID. I am all for standing up for your civil liberties, but when those liberties could infringe on the safety of our children, perhaps you should rethink your position.

Many of the locals who discussed this issue argue that numerous studies prove that masks are ineffective against the spread of COVID. Really? The Yale University studies I’ve reviewed, coupled with the case studies released by the CDC, prove that wearing a mask reduces the spread of COVID. That’s not my main point, though. Let’s throw every study out for a brief second while we consider common sense. Common sense prompts us to cover our mouth when we cough. Common sense encourages us to shield our noses when we sneeze. Why? Could it be that we don’t want others to catch our germs.? If that is the case, then WHY would a mask not fit into the equation of precautionary measures against the spread of the virus?

Dr. Richard Martinello, an Infectious Diseases Physician and professor at the Yale School of Medicine, concurs with the findings from the most recent Axios poll that states COVID cases are up 55 percent across the U.S. with new cases in 46 states. He further pointed out that 69 percent of Americans support mandatory masking in schools. In addition, he said several studies among children show that masks helped prevent the spread of disease in schools.

“We know that in schools where masks are not being used, those children are at higher risk for COVID. And certainly, we know that masks are very effective in adults. And I think one thing that’s very important when we do make public health recommendations is that we always think about is what the trade-offs are between the risks and the benefits,” Martinello said. “Masks are very simple. They’re proven to be effective, and we know that they’re safe. But, we also need Public Health Leadership. We need our elected leaders to help guide us toward what those best decisions are so parents can make and support those best decisions.”

So, I ask you to ponder, what harm is it just to put on the mask?