In defiance of Glenn Youngkin’s policy of lifting mask mandates for state employees, Accomack County Public Schools will continue mandating the wearing of masks for all students, staff, and visitors. Due to the uptick in covid cases, the board felt it was better to be safe than sorry, so masks it will be.
But, is this worthwhile, or just doubling down on a policy, and methodology that so far can only be labeled an epic, and very expensive fail? Should we force our kids into this protocol based on flimsy evidence provided by very unimpressive people?
Should children in schools be forced to suffer the effects of masks for long hours each day despite being at exceedingly low risk for death or serious illness from covid?
The mask narrative seems to change with the wind–the story changed from “masks don’t work,” to “masks may work,” to “masks work and you must wear one.” Now the narrative switches yet again: “cloth masks don’t work, so you should wear a surgical or ‘well-fitted’ mask,” or even wear two.
Can we just say it? Masks are not just relatively ineffective, but they’re also gross. Human lungs and our respiratory system are designed to inhale nitrogen and oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is literally a waste product, removed from the blood via our lungs. Masks may not trap injurious levels of carbon dioxide against our nose and mouth, but they certainly get filthy very quickly unless changed constantly (not to mention how they are impacting the planet). They also encourage mouth breathing, which can cause “mask mouth” symptoms including acne, bad breath, tender gums, and lip irritation. N-95 is not going to solve that problem.
We understand the reason for the policy, another covid surge, probably another mutation in the works, however, at this point, the individual needs to determine whether the policy is beneficial to them or not. Covid is never going away, it will not be eradicated. The zero covid policy is not realistic. You get 3 doses of a vaccine, you wear a mask, social distance, and you still catch the virus.
Kids need a healthy immune system, built up through diet, exercise, and sunlight. This is probably the best way to live with any illness, including covid-19.
If you do come in contact with a virus, should not the focus be on treatment, and not prioritizing prevention?
Note from elsewhere: Florida public schools have been open to 100% of K-12 students since the Fall 2020 semester. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of many Virginia Counties that received lots-o-dollars to “safely reopen schools” but are still forcing kids to engage in ineffective methodologies.
Be brave and embrace life, not run from it…embrace all its risks, and rewards.