To all those who refuse to wear a mask, this is for you. Your irresponsibility has made so many heads shake and brought ample palms to the face. I don’t think you understand the situation. We are in a global pandemic. This isn’t just happening in America. In fact, all we hear in the news is how other countries seem to be handling the virus better than our nation, including Taiwan, where only seven of its citizens died of the virus despite its close proximity with China. You know how they did that? People wore masks. Of course, it helped that the government is very supportive of mask wearing. We're sure to be number one on the loser chart with Karen’s left and right acting like a child who refuses to eat their green beans.
Sure, go ahead and argue that it’s just your political opinion, but this cannot be bogged down as a partisan idea. We can’t have only half of our population caring about the fates of our fellow citizens. We are told daily by legitimate, world-renowned scientists that wearing a mask does, in fact, prevent the spread of the virus. We see countries not having to go into full lockdown mode because people had the decency to respect the facts, and do the right thing. Science shouldn’t be up for debate, as it involves concrete facts. How do you see sweeping deaths across the world in thousands and still think your comfort level is above saving a life?
Call me a libtard all you want, but this way of thinking comes directly from a combination of Trump spreading misinformation, his unique way of insulting loved ones who died of this apparent “hoax.” Not to mention, the toxicity that comes with the rise in this country’s white supremacy, fascism and aggressive patriotism that takes advantage of a free country to do whatever it is one desires, including knowingly spreading a deadly virus to other responsible citizens of this country. You are only paranoid about the news because it’s another form of truth that Trump labeled a witch hunt or conspiracy. The racism is especially prevalent in the act of not wearing a mask, because more African Americans die than any other race statistically, notably more than twice as many as whites, according to the APM Research Lab.
Quite frankly, this country is obsessed with itself in the most dangerous way possible. I cannot go anywhere without being redundantly reminded of which country I reside in. I see the aggression from elaborate bumper stickers – a scribe of the entire constitution. It is transparent in the infamous Don’t Tread on Me flag, which originated as a reasonable protest to rights being stripped away, leading to the Boston Tea Party, but it is now planted like scarecrow - to ward off and exclude. It doesn’t take long to find an entire street with American flags draped on towering flag poles, telephone poles, and worse – the backs of trucks. I can only see a giant flag on a car as a potential hazard.
Don’t get me wrong – I am all for patriotism, but in the right context. And I don’t see patriotism in the state we are in currently. I don’t see it in cops kneeling on necks. I don’t see it in a bigoted leader. I don’t see it in mask refusal. To the extent that the flag is shoved into everyone’s faces is a disgusting approval of these recent tragedies. Because I miss the kind of country where Obama’s speeches left me goosebumps, invigorated hope and brought people together.
I recently went away to Hampton Beach for a week with my family, in the Live Free or Die state, “or in this case, both,” - my uncle retorted. The family that settled next to us had both the American flag and the Gadsden flag stabbed into the sand. I couldn't understand why the flags needed to be there, as if their rights were being violated as they relaxed under the sun.
All you have to do is put a single piece of cloth on your face while going out of your house – no one is following you home and making you wear it there. This country is built on convenience and privilege. We shouldn’t be surprised some raise hell because they simply expect too much. I am tired of the president’s naïve, arrogant social army expecting everyone to back him simply because he is in a position of power. Contrarily, powerful people should be under more scrutiny because of their deep responsibility.
You call me a sheep for wearing a mask. I call it basic humanity, understanding that I might not know everything, and a little bit of consideration for others' health. We must all accept this small responsibility of mask wearing, no matter how reluctantly, to preserve our fellow citizens and our character.