Written by Dahlia Alanis, Staff Writer
In 1918, a severe influenza virus called H1N1 infected around 500 million people globally and killed an estimated 50 million people. It was the most severe flu pandemic in recorded history.
A century later, COVID-19 emerged during winter of 2020. To date, the globe has experienced an estimated 29.8 million cases and 944,204 confirmed deaths.
If you have symptoms or are not feeling well, stay home — period. There should be no argument about this.
A pandemic is not an opinion. A mask isn’t optional. Indian Trail High School has a mandate on masks, and they must be worn at all times (besides lunch).
I’m sorry if wearing a mask is just a little uncomfortable. A tip to help would be to bring an extra mask to switch into during the day, but when a person refuses to wear a mask they are putting everyone around them at risk. Be considerate of everyone’s situation. Wear a mask.
We are no longer asking, we are demanding. Wear a mask.
The point in wearing a mask is to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus. You are not only protecting yourself, but also those around you. The science behind masks is trapping infected droplets that come from a person’s mouth when you cough or sneeze. Believe it or not, you are making a difference.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report July 14, 2020, that two hairstylists were exposed to coronavirus. Without knowing they were infectious, they worked on 139 clients, although all the clients and workers wore their masks. There were no secondary cases reported and all test results were negative, proof that masks can make a difference.
As many now know, on Oct. 2 President Trump and First Lady Melanie Trump tested positive for the coronavirus. All the more reason to wear a mask. I understand as a younger generation our immune system is stronger than the older generation, nonetheless we must protect ourselves and the older generation.
Just put on a mask. You might just save a life.