COVID-19: Are face masks violating your FREEDOM?

As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has continued to rise across the world, the Government is considering making it mandatory for people to wear masks in supermarkets and shops across the country. This announcement has met with a lot of backlash, with a number of people feeling face masks are anti-libertarian. So, do face masks really take away people’s freedom or are they the need of the hour? Read on to find out!

Why do face masks elicit anger?

Many people believe face masks violate one’s individual freedom and liberty of expression. However, given that the effort required to wear a mask is minimal in comparison to the benefits it offers, is it really too high a price to pay?

Benefits of wearing face masks

1. Masks protect non-infected people:One of the primary ways through which COVID-19 spreads is via respiratory droplets which are produced when a person who is infected sneezes, coughs, or talks. When you wear a face mask, however, it acts as a barrier preventing the droplets from escaping and infecting another person.
2. You don’t know if you are contagious:The virus can reportedly transmit from one person to the other even if the infected person does not show any signs of being ill. Given this, you may never know whether you are infected or not unless you are tested. This is why it is recommended to wear a mask even if you are feeling healthy.
3. Masks protect you:The biggest benefit of wearing a face mask is that it protects you! If you are uninfected and healthy, you certainly don’t want to come into contact with an infected person and catch the virus, right? This is where a mask can help you by preventing transmission.
4. There aren’t many alternatives:Given that a vaccine hasn’t yet been produced, it’s best to rely on preventive measures like wearing face masks.

Wearing the right type of mask!

It’s best that you wear an N95 mask or any other type of good-quality mask to ensure you stay protected. Apart from wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and frequent handwashing are key to keeping yourself healthy!