Answer

Why the Face Mask?

            “For centuries on end, face masks in the public have been the symbol of a pandemic era, the very symbol of a tiny but deadly viral foe that could be lurking around anywhere unseen and unheard. Worse enough, we live in such an era today as the noble Coronavirus has wreaked havoc all across the planet. Experts around the world have unanimously advocated for measures including social distancing and washing of hands regularly; but most of all, they have constantly emphasized on the use of a face mask when visiting any public place (Howard et al., 1). But why the mask? What does it do? With a similar enthusiasm, many have debated against the use of this very same face mask, arguing against its usefulness. But who should we follow? What do we believe? Ladies and Gentlemen, today we will dig deep to understand what really a face mask does and what it does not – analyzing arguments from both sides.

            First, it is important to note that in the early days of the Coronavirus pandemic, many governments warned the public against wearing face masks as they worried that the demand for the same would reduce the vital supplies to the health workers, who were at the frontline of the fight against the virus (Gray, 1). Even more so, they were worried that advocating for this idea may lull people into some sought of false security against the virus. Nonetheless, with time, these countries have since advocated for face masks and some have even given its citizens free masks.

            To understand whether face masks are eminent or not, it is important to first comprehend how the virus that caused Covid-19 works in the first place. Once infected, the virus hijacks its host’s cells and replicates itself, bursting out of the cells and becoming suspended into the bodily fluids of the victim’s lungs, mouth, and nose (Rothan and Siddappa, 3). When the infected person coughs, they send showers of tiny droplets into the air, referred to as aerosols, that are filled with the virus. While some of these droplets may settle on surfaces, many remain suspended in the air for hours and can thus be inhaled by other unsuspecting individuals. Under the right conditions, the virus has been spread to people in immediate vicinities through these airborne aerosol droplets – especially in poorly ventilated spaces (Rothan and Siddappa, 3). For this reason, facemasks act as a guard against these unseen viruses that might be floating anywhere anytime.

            Ladies and gentlemen, as I conclude, it is notable that we are in difficult times – times for which many have thought to be the end of the world. In its apocalyptic nature, we can still save ourselves and reduce the communal spread of the virus through wearing facemasks when in public and following the guidelines as directed by experts. It is clear that the facemask is important in filtering what we breathe when in public spaces. There are better days ahead, but we would not reach to them unless we follow the guidelines of the experts and we wear masks when in public spaces.”