Why masks should be normalized and become nonpartisan

Rachel Everett, Staff Writer

In the current state of the world, face masks are a staple. In most stores, ranging from malls to small businesses, masks are required. Masks, along with social distancing, are both practices confirmed to minimize the spread of COVID-19; in recent months, however, the wearing of masks has stepped into the spotlight as a major issue. Videos circulate the internet of people refusing to wear face coverings and walking around stores encouraging others to take off their’s off, as well. With cases constantly fluctuating, there is always a need to wear a mask and stay vigilant with the rules and regulations.

Prior to the beginning of the school year, this debate ensued in Fulton County as officials discussed the reopening of schools. Take a second and think about that, about how there was a need for a debate to begin in the first place, and let that sink in. With a normal return to school, there would be almost 800 kids packed into a single lunch room, 1600 walking the tight halls together. COVID would spread like wildfire. In North Paulding High School in Paulding County, Georgia students experienced this wildfire. This high school started off the year without a requirement to wear masks or practice social distancing. After six students and three teachers tested positive, the school shut down to allow for cleaning and for students to learn virtually. Without any precautions, that number grew. It is unthinkable that after everyone went into a strong lockdown due to a small number of cases that officials would want to reopen schools despite the now significantly greater amount of cases. This further shows that not having a mask requirement causes a spike in cases and further divides the country. 

During the summer Governor Brian Kemp planned on suing Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms for enforcing a mask mandate. Even though Bottoms was trying to protect Atlanta citizens and minimize the spread of COVID, Kemp was persistent with his intention to sue. Eventually, Kemp dropped the lawsuit but later ordered that local businesses were not required to enforce masks. This mask issue turned into a partisan ordeal and it feels as if Republicans want to do the opposite of Democrats, even if it’s a good idea, just to rile them up. To be rooted so deep into the politics of this situation rather than to be concerned with the safety of others is as frightening as it is deplorable. It’s sad to see that precautions against a virus have become politicized and turned into something in which you take sides. 

COVID cases aren’t the only thing going up, as the number of people refusing to wear masks is also increasing. Recently a video circulated on social media depicting a woman being tased because she refused to wear a mask. Another video showed a group of people walking through Target encouraging people to take their masks off. What doesn’t make sense is what goes through these people’s minds. If we were back in flu season, you’d immediately step away from someone who was coughing or sneezing. So why would it change with something even more contagious than the flu? People need to come to their senses and realize that masks are not out to harm them and that COVID isn’t just a hoax. It shouldn’t be a bipartisan issue that is creating divisions among Americans as we’ve never experienced but rather a way for the country to come together and end this devastating pandemic. 

Mask wearing has turned the country against itself in a partisan battle. People need to realize that masks are not a big issue, no one is out to get you and it’s not one big hoax. Protect the people you care about, strangers you meet on the street. Wear a mask and encourage others to do the same.