As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, a lot of controversy between mask wearing has been stirred up. Some think it’s necessary to wear masks, and some think it’s no big deal if we don’t wear masks.
On the night of December 1, 2021, the Westborough School Committee decided to move forward with the flexible mask option starting as soon as December 6, 2021. Although this might seem like a step in the right direction for some, it is not a smart thing to do.

There is a new mutation of the disease, B.1.1.529, better known as the Omicron variant. Officials still don’t know the effects and how contagious this mutation might be, so it’s safer to wear a mask than to find out the effects of the new variant.

According to the CDC, masks are one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of Covid. By allowing students to have the option to remove their masks, it gives the disease a much easier way to spread and possibly mutate again.

Not wearing masks allows not only more cases to arise in unvaccinated people, but it also allows breakthrough cases to occur. As of November 16, there have been approximately 71,037 breakthrough cases in Massachusetts, and that number continues to rise weekly.

Since the option to remove your mask will begin shortly, it would give the virus a much easier time to spread. As winter approaches, many people stay inside rather than outside. While being confined in a room with multiple people and limited airflow, the virus can spread much easier, especially if the masks are removed.

If you contract the disease, there’s a possibility you might not know you have Covid. This can be detrimental to immunocompromised people and people who are unvaccinated, whether that’s of personal choice or because they might be allergic to some of the ingredients in the vaccine. If you spread the disease to a person with one of these conditions, they are at a higher risk of getting hospitalized and possibly dying.

It’s time not to only think about yourself, but also the people around you.

Sources:
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/breakthrough-covid-cases-in-massachusetts-up-44/2561754/
https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-breakthrough-covid-19-cases-november-16-2021/38271776#