Be Smart: Wear a Mask
By BellaYou want to go out during COVID. You do not care about masks. You feel sweaty and you have a little trouble breathing. You got COVID. But you are not alone, 214 million people have been infected with COVID-19, and 4.46 million people have died of COVID-19 (WHO, 2021). If you had worn a mask you would not be part of these statistics. After you have had COVID-19, it “can be a long road to recovery, and scientists are just beginning to research the lingering effects” (Schwartz, 2021). If you want to prevent people from becoming sick, save time and money, and be fashionable you should really wear a mask.
The first reason you should wear a mask is because it can help keep you and other people from getting sick. You will feel safer when you wear a mask. “Depending on the type, masks can be used for either protection of healthy persons or to prevent onward transmission” (WHO, 2020). This means that some masks keep you safe from getting sick and other masks keep you from making other people sick. “Wearing a mask helps protect those around you, in case you are infected but not showing symptoms” (CDC, 2021). After you wear a mask, you probably will not get sick. If you get sick, you couldn’t eat candy, chocolate, French fries etc. When you wear a mask, you will make people around you feel better and feel comfortable; so, you might make more friends. As you can see, wearing a mask can prevent you from getting sick.
Another reason you should wear a mask is because you can save time and money. If you wear masks, you can save your time and money and not care about how beautiful you look. It saves you time because you have to spend ages looking at yourself in the mirror fixing your hair and trying to make yourself look pretty. “One 2018 survey found that the average woman in New York spent 21 minutes a day putting on makeup (and that doesn’t factor taking it off again, or skincare routines). That’s roughly 7,556 minutes a year, or 125.9 hours, or 5.3 days. We lose more than the equivalent of an entire workweek every year to makeup application” (Hale-Stern). But when you wear a mask, you don’t really have to care if you are pretty because no one can see what you look like. No one can tell with a mask on. For example, my friend likes to wear a mask because she likes to hide her teeth and she doesn’t like to smile with them. Of course, wearing a mask would save time, but money could also be saved by not spending it on makeup. “The same survey calculated that many women spend $300,000 on makeup in their lifetime. $300,000. And the list of items is exhausting” (Hale-Stern). You can spend the money on things that are better than makeup like chips, candy, or anything that you like. To wrap up, you don’t have to spend as much time and money if you wear a mask.
The final reason you should wear a mask is because you can wear a fashionable mask. You can also be fashionable and wear a cute mask with your favorite cartoon on it and friends around you would be awed by your fabulous and fashionable appearance. Masks can be a good accessory to match your clothes, bags, or even dogs. Even famous people wear masks. “Billie Eilish wore a Gucci face covering…to the Grammys” (Spellings). “Ariana has been spotted wearing the evolvetogether disposable face mask, similar to an N95 mask” (Silas). You can be fashionable and wear a mask too.
People don’t wear masks because they are hot and very uncomfortable, but it is worth it because you can stay safe. Here are some options you can choose for staying cool and comfortable when wearing a mask. First, you can buy cotton masks because they are breathable and soft. “Tightly woven cotton fabric is a good choice, as it’s breathable and soft” (Family Medicine). When you buy a cotton mask, you should also buy light colored masks because they don’t absorb the heat like the darker colored ones do. “If you’re working directly in the sun, opt for a light-colored mask, as darker colored ones will absorb more heat” (Family Medicine). Another tip to stay cool and comfortable is to drink water frequently. “If your mouth is covered by a mask, you might be less likely to take sips of water throughout the day. But…you actually need more water than normal” (Family Medicine). The last tip is to carry another spare mask in case your mask gets sweaty. “If your mask gets sweaty, swap it out for a clean one. Wetness decreases the protection of the mask and can make it even more uncomfortable” (Family Medicine). Even if your mask is very hot and very uncomfortable, these are the ways you can stay cool, hydrated, and comfortable.
Wearing a mask can help you avoid getting people sick, will save you a lot of time and money, and will allow you to be fashionable at the same time. All of these are valid reasons to wear masks. Don't add to the list of COVID illnesses and deaths; instead, be responsible and put on your mask. You will benefit both yourself and the world.
Works Cited
CDC. “Considerations for Wearing Masks.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, 7 Aug. 2020, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html. Accessed 2 Sept. 2021.
Family Medicine. “Tips for Staying Cool While Wearing a Mask When It’s Hot.” Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, 7 Aug. 2020, health.clevelandclinic.org/tips-for-staying-cool-while-wearing-a-mask-when-its-hot/. Accessed 9 Sept. 2021.
Hale-Stern, Kaila. “I Love Wearing a Face Mask Because It Messes with Beauty Standards.” The Mary Sue, The Mary Sue, 4 May 2021, www.themarysue.com/face-masks-beauty-standards/. Accessed 2 Sept. 2021.
Schwartz, Emma. “Fact or Fiction: 6 Myths about COVID-19.” Project Hope, Project Hope, 22 Jan. 2021, www.projecthope.org/fact-or-fiction-6-myths-about-covid-19/01/2021/?campaignid=1590500333&adgroupid=95558604618&creative=428259207811&keyword=&gclid=CjwKCAjwgviIBhBkEiwA10D2j9162Ie6vzPCL60G2eVgIxY6gbFVRr1KjQWBG30wGOl54nDAc5_LYhoCbj4QAvD_BwE. Accessed 26 Aug. 2021.
Silas, Karen. “30 Celebrities Wearing Face Masks: Best A-List Face Coverings to Shop – JLo, Ariana, Reese & More.” HELLO!, hellomagazine.com, 17 Feb. 2021, www.hellomagazine.com/fashion/celebrity-style/20210217107040/celebrities-wearing-face-masks-coverings-where-to-buy/. Accessed 2 Sept. 2021.
Spellings, Sarah. “50 Cloth Masks to Shop Now.” Vogue, www.vogue.com/slideshow/stylish-face-masks-to-shop-now.
World Health Organization. “WHO COVID-19 Dashboard.” Covid19.Who.int, World Health Organization, 2021, covid19.who.int/.
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