The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many facets of our everyday lives in so many ways. This pandemic has changed how we shop, how we socialize with others, how we exercise, and how we work. To make matters worse, according to an article published by Cable News Network (CNN), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects that COVID-19 will be one of the top 10 leading causes of death in 2020.
As of the date of this blog post, the death toll in the United States has surged past 150,000 from COVID-19. Despite these surging death rates, some people are still not wearing a face mask when out in public. Wearing a face has been proven by scientists and researchers to slow the spread of the Coronavirus. A face mask prevents the transmission of droplets from spreading to others that disperses from the mouth or nose.
In addition to wearing a face mask, we must take additional measures to slow down the spread of the Coronavirus. We must continue to stay vigilant and continue to practice social distancing, allowing at least six feet between others when we are out in public spaces. We must continue to wash our hands frequently and continue to avoid large groups of 10 or more people.
Sadly, President Trump has not supported his top researchers and medical professional’s recommendations for universal face masks, to reduce the transmission of droplets. Instead, the President has made wearing a protective face mask a political statement. Wearing a face mask during the hot summer months is very challenging. However, if we want to get back to some form of a normal semblance of life, we must all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19. Let me be very clear here, wearing a face mask is not a sign of weakness! If you care about your health, the health of your family, and the health of your community, you must wear a face mask to slow the spread of this very contagious and deadly virus.
Finally, when most of us began sheltering in place in March, to slow down the rate of coronavirus infections, finding a face mask was very difficult. However, now so many businesses, large and small are making and selling face masks. You can now find a plethora of face masks to display your personality, support an important cause, or express your own creative style. Since we all have to wear face masks, we should be wearing one that provides the best protection when out in public spaces. The N95 mask worn by healthcare professionals is now available for all of us. I am providing links below to purchase sports masks, the N95 mask, and links to support minority-owned and small businesses who manufacture masks.
Be well and stay vigilant by protecting yourself and others, while we all wait for a viable vaccine to combat COVID-19.
Mask Vendors
N-95 Mask Vendor – N95Maskco
Minority-Owned Mask Designers and Small Businesses on Etsy
Sports Masks for Exercising
Source
Howard, Jacqueline (2020). COVID-19 will end up as a top 10 leading cause of death in 2020, CDC statisticians tell CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/23/health/covid-rank-leading-cause-of-death-us-bn/index.html?utm_term=15959443809172d4b3cf4f2c6&utm_source=07.28.20+Results+are+In&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=230274_1595944380919&bt_ee=F%2F2Xia1vDKnzt0nPXjCAi5CQftrW0FYqKxGxR69XwMN2vSjjqZ1d0KpwIOG2AzYl&bt_ts=1595944380919
Photo by: David Veksler