There are a few things that every individual in the world has experienced, one of the most current ones is living through a pandemic. The vast and quick spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused a change in many countries not only in terms of the increased strain on healthcare and the amount of deaths but the different regulations that are being enforced to prevent the spread of the virus, ones that we have seen in our communities. One of the biggest and most controversial mandates in the United Stated that have been enforced in the past ten months is the mandatory mask mandated. That each individual is required to wear a mask if they are in a public setting surrounded by individuals that are not a part of their household. This mandate was made to reduce airborne transmission of the virus, reducing the chances of it spreading to you or to the people around you. The argument for mask emphasizes how having this mandate will reduce the spread of the virus, keep you and everyone around you safe, allowing the economy to recover from the first lock down and redefine collective and personal freedoms. In theory, a mask mandated should be welcomed by the public because it would reduce the transmission of the virus and elevate the stress that many are having when it comes to getting the virus but this condition many have frowned upon the new mandate. The main arguments against the mask mandate that had made the public not fully accept the mandate was that it restricted their breathing, imploded on their rights and their overall freedom and negatively affected many aspects of their lives including education. After researching many peer reviewed articles regarding the subject of whether we should have a national mask mandate to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 or not, the overall scientific consensus agrees with the mandate. It argued that it would not only keep communities safe but it would speed rescue the economic downfall that many individuals have faced due to the pandemic. Many of the articles also discussed the idea of the masks restricting one's breathing, discussing why one might feel that way and ways to prevent that. Other articles also discussed how they are causing infective learning environments that reduce one’s ability to interact with their peers and fully engage in the material at hand. For this paper the two arguments for and against the mask mandate will be assessed based on scientific and peer reviewed views and the views of the public. 

 

          The mask mandate is not a new idea that was produced for this pandemic, it was widely used by healthcare workers and infected individuals during previous virus outbreaks such as the Influenza virus. During the Influenza outbreak, healthcare workers and patients that were not vaccinated but still had to wear a mask showed a reduced amount of infection until they were vaccinated. (Faris et al, 2012) Even though the data that was produced was based on a small cohort of individuals within hospitals, the idea of reducing contact; especially airborne should reduce the virus and protect individuals and the people around them till a vaccine is discovered and begins to circulate. A nationwide mask mandate under the current circumstances would require masks to be worn in indoor public spaces such as restaurants and stores, on public transit and ride-hailing services, and outdoors when unable to maintain 6 feet of distance from others. The only individuals exempt from the mandate are children below the age of 2, and for those who have chronic respiratory diseases or may already have breathing difficulties. The current governmental reaction to the pandemic is based on previous reactions to smaller outbreaks. 33 states have issued a mask mandate, requiring businesses to ask their customers and employees to wear face masks. It also encouraged individuals to wear masks in outdoor spaces where they couldn’t meet the advised six feet apart precaution. Data was collected from each state by Philip Jocobs and Arvi Ohinmaa from the department of medicine from the University of Alberta, Edmonton based on policies, how they were enforced and how they were reported to the public. The two authors have extensive medical backgrounds, which allowed them to look at the data from a scientific perspective. For each state, the most effective way to keep the mandate was to have not only business owners enforce this mandate but to have law enforcement pushing it as well. When individuals were educated about the mask-wearing and benefits by law enforcement they saw the importance of doing so. Another way was to have small consequences for individuals that refused to follow the mandate. This showed communities that this mandate is not to be taken lightly and that it affects everyone and should be less of an individual choice. Due to the impact that law enforcement had on the mask mandate, some businesses even requested having law enforcement present at their establishment to ensure that the mandate is followed to the fullest. These recommendations allowed many states to understand what the presence of a pandemic means and how careful they needed to be in light of the changing atmosphere that they are facing. The authors also emphasized the need for statewide education on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 and how the following tacit will ensure the safety of many communities. (Jacobs, 2020) 

 

          The overall scientific consensus recognized the importance of a mask mandate and encouraged it. Due to the lack of pharmaceutical interventions at the moment, safety approaches such as social distance and a mask mandate are the only methods of preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Through the use of masks, ones that efficiently cover one's nose and mouth respiratory droplets can not spread through the air and are blocked by the marital or fabric that the mask is made from. There are a few ways to ensure the efficiency of the mask mandate such as mask aerosol reduction rate, mask population coverage, and mask availability. When all of these factors are present in the mask mandate, the mask will have greater purpose and reduce high probabilities of infection and the spread of the virus. This reduces the spread of the virus. If states continue with the mask mandate until a pharmaceutical intervention is fully developed and is ready to be spread both nationwide and worldwide, the epidemic curve will eventually flatten. Allowing communities to recover economically and thrive under new norms and regulations. (Li et al, 2020) 

 

          Recovering economically is one of the main concerns that citizens have at this point. Many individuals have lost not only their loved ones, but their jobs and businesses due to the current pandemic. The mask mandate will ensure a gradual recovery of the economy. Even though the mask mandate has become a politically charged subject, that many felt is infected upon them and is restricting their rights it would in many ways elevate their financial concerns. A nationwide mask mandate will allow a reduction in overall SARS-CoV-2 cases, reducing the need for another lockdown. The previous lockdown has caused a financial strain on the economy but if another one comes along, it will reduce the country’s overall gross domestic product by 5%. This will leave many individuals facing high levels of financial strains and eventually falling through the cracks of the current economic climate. To back up this hypothesis, many countries in Europe and Asia that have enforced a nationwide mandate, with as high as 90% of the population following the mask mandate, saw a high drop in SARS-CoV-2 cases reducing any need for a second lockdown. They also saw that when the mask mandate is associated with other restrictions such as reduced mobility or avoidance of large gatherings, there was a high improvement in outbreaks and reduced number of fatalities. (Today, 2020) 

 

          Even though a mask mandate is backed up by scientific consensus and has shown a reduction in SARS-CoV-2 cases in states with the mandate, it is still a controversial subject for many individuals around the nation. One of the main reasons that some states are opposed to this mandate is their belief that wearing masks inhibits their ability to breath. Manfrid Spitzer from the Department of Psychiatry in University of Ulm at Leimgrubenweg Germany, emphasized that one of the main areas in which it is believed that wearing a mask will do more harm than good is wearing face masks in schools. Many schools are beginning to open up while implementing a mask mandate, however the mask mandate seems to be restricting their overall ability to engage in the curriculum and student life. Due to half of the student’s faces being covered they are not able to emotionally engage with the material. Their positive emotions such as smiles and grins will be less identifiable causing a rise in negative emotions such as frustration and anger. The increase of negative emotions in a learning setting creates a disconnect between the teachers and the students not allowing them to fully engage with the material. It also creates a gap between students themselves. Schooling in that point of their lives is not only to teach them about common knowledge and different concepts that they need to become holistic and even critical thinkers, but to teach them about social interactions and envoke in them a sense of community and pride. Having a barrier between the students, even one as small as a mask, takes away from their non-verbal and facial interactions reducing their ability to fully connect with their peers. (Spitzer, 2020) 

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          Another issue that the public has openly discussed when it comes to the current mask mandate is that they feel like it’s imposing on their personal freedoms. Many simply do not accept the idea of a mask mandate, and believed that it was unethical and went against everything that the founding fathers have fought to have and give to future generations. That the government has no right on one's personal choices and behaviors even at times where the country faces a pandemic. That wearing mask is a personal choice that each individual is allowed to make without having any criminal consequences because of it. (Nyabola, 2020) 

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          Based on all of the argument and research that was conducted to accurately support or oppose the legislation in regards to having a national mask-wearing mandate to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, I advise moving forwards in terms of this legislation. Even though this mandate has received backlash from different states and communities, it’s implementation isn't the only way to keep the public safe. However, I’m aware of the hurdles that many individuals will face due to this mandate; especially in the educational sector. But we must keep in mind that this will not be a permanent mandate, and even though it’s creating a current inconvenience and is hindering students' social growth and connection to the material, it’s also reducing the spread of the virus while keeping them and their families safe. This mandate is not only backed up by scientific consensus and data, but it will allow our current economy to reverse the effects of the first lockdown and decrease future financial damage for individuals and businesses. It will also reduce the chance of having a second lockdown that will effectively eliminate many businesses and cause more individuals to lose their jobs and livelihood than the first lockdown did. Not only will this mandate reduce the number of SARS-CoV-2 cases and gradually falten the epidemic curve until a pharmaceutical intervention is fully developed to combat the virus, but it reminds us of the true meaning of community. This mandate will allow communities to fully understand collective wellness. That wearing masks shouldn’t only be looked at as a personal freedom, but a collective choice that will not jeopardize oneself and others surrounding them. Allowing us to reflect on the ideologies and beliefs that society holds, and to think about what a community means and how there could be a balance between personal freedoms and public obligations.

Obligations that are under constant change due to new information and events that rise. Emphasizing the idea of working together in an unprecedented time that will be commemorated in history books for years to come.

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References 

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Comparing Associations of State Reopening Strategies with COVID-19 Burden. (2020). Journal of General Internal Medicine : JGIM. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-020-06277-0 Edwards, Frances, RN, DNP, CIC, Masick, Kevin D., PhD, & Armellino, Donna, RN, DNP, CIC. (2016). Impact of the flu mask regulation on health care personnel influenza vaccine acceptance rates. American Journal of Infection Control, 44(10), 1154–1157. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2016.03.006 

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Faris, Linda, BSN MSEd CIC CPHQ, Wells, Patricia, Ms, Abell, Virginia, Ms, Reynolds, Nancy, Ms, Sheffer, Therese, Ms, & Seidel, Joan, Mrs. (2012). First Do No Harm - Efficacy of Influenza Vaccine Mandate or Mask Mandate for the Healthcare Worker. American Journal of Infection Control, 40(5), e85–e85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2012.04.150 

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Jacobs, Philip, & Ohinmaa, Arvi P. (2020). The enforcement of statewide mask wearing mandates to prevent COVID-19 in the US: an overview [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. F1000 Research, 9, 1100. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.25907.1 

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Li, Tom, Liu, Yan, Li, Man, Qian, Xiaoning, & Dai, Susie Y. (2020). Mask or no mask for COVID-19: A public health and market study. PloS One, 15(8), e0237691–e0237691. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237691 

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Nyabola, N. (2020). VIEW FROM AFRICA: The mask mandate and personal 

freedom.(effort to curb Covid-19). New Internationalist, 527, 61.

 

Spitzer, M. (2020). Masked education? The benefits and burdens of wearing face masks in schools during the current Corona pandemic. Trends in Neuroscience and Education, 20, 100138–100138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tine.2020.100138 

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Today, U. (2020). How a mask mandate could help economic recovery. New Orleans Citibusiness. 

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Trends in County-Level COVID-19 Incidence in Counties With and Without a Mask Mandate - Kansas, June 1-August 23, 2020. (2020). MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(47), 1777–1781. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6947e2