Stop being selfish: It’s time to wear face masks and prevent the spread of coronavirus

It feels constricting, it’s hot and sweaty, and looks unnatural.

I am referring of course to wearing a face mask in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All these months since California initiated statewide efforts to deal with the highly contagious virus, and I am still clumsy when it comes to putting a mask on before entering a store.

Remembering to do it is something I have mastered. But I still have to look at my reflection in the car window to make sure I am getting it positioned just right — cotton mask over both nose and mouth, as the experts say.

My wife sewed me a cool pair of masks from a blue bandanna, so I pretend to be a cowboy. I just bought her some camo fabric, and that is what is coming next.

It is good to have a set of masks at one’s disposal because this mask wearing may be here for a while. We are easily more than a year away from a vaccine being developed to fight COVID-19, probably longer. Until then, a face mask is a key protection, both for me and, importantly, for others.

That second aspect — that wearing a mask affirms the importance of fellow Californians — is a point being sadly lost on many right now, judging by the mask vs. no-mask shoppers at newly reopened shops.

To those not putting on masks, it really boils down to one question: Why are you being selfish?

Why wear a mask

It should be common knowledge that public health experts say wearing a facial mask is a good way to reduce the spread of COVID-19. One of the key ways the virus is transmitted is through microscopic droplets in the air from a sneeze or cough of an infected person.

A mask is a barrier against those droplets being expelled by someone who has the illness. A facial covering also offers basic protection from picking up the germs.

So when a person wears a mask, they are conveying that they care about others and want to help in the global effort to defeat the pandemic.

This point is not lost on some Bee readers. In newly received letters to the editor, several people expressed their hope that fellow Fresnans would help reduce the threat posed by the virus. They also expressed disappointment that some would so brazenly disregard facial masking.

Experiences and reaction

Doreen Confino of Fresno, self-described as high risk, wrote to tell of pumping gas at Costco with her mask on. A mother and teenage daughter pulled up. Not wearing masks, they pointed at her and laughed. “But then, the mother — the mask-less adult — started to purposely cough in my direction near me!” Doreen relates.

“PEOPLE: I wear a mask for YOUR protection. I don’t know how many times that very simple concept needs to be told to you who don’t?” Doreen added this all-too relevant closing assessment: “I don’t know if we will ever get our civility back, but I sure hope so.”

Kiel Lopez-Schmidt of Fresno writes that his mother is over age 65 and a lung-cancer survivor. “Out shopping for her, I take it as a sign of respect if you’re wearing a mask. Visual representation that you care about my mom’s health, willing to endure discomfort to protect those around you. I return the favor.”

Helen Siporin of Fresno likens mask wearing to being taught as a child to be considerate of others and have good manners.

“Remember when we were taught to say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you?’ Or told to apologize if we stepped on someone’s toe? ... These civilizing lessons made social interacting pleasant and predictable.Yet we can’t all seem to honor the simple ‘Covid-19 Mask Rule’ — a modern derivative of the Golden Rule of reciprocal kindness and regard.”

Freedom vs. responsibility

Those who do not want to put on a mask say it infringes on their personal freedom. That argument, however, ignores freedom’s twin — personal responsibility.

In the case of the pandemic, we could take it a step further and call it a duty to wear a mask. When someone refuses to do so, they are failing a duty to the well-being of others.

When people cannot do the right thing individually, others will step in and mandate it. A visitor to Santa Barbara last weekend noted that there is a sign at the entrance to every market, shop and restaurant that says “No mask, no service.”

The city of Fresno also requires masks be worn inside all the newly reopened businesses, but Mayor Lee Brand is, for now, seeking voluntary compliance.

Is it fun to put on a mask? No. Is it impossible? No. Should one do it for the greater good? Yes. Remember, COVID-19 knows no political affiliation. In this battle, putting on a mask is the right choice as a considerate human being.