The OC Health Care Agency |Mask Message Contest

Our Responsibility
written by AUDREY 
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       I am staring at the white tiled floor and I hear the faint squeak of carts going back
and forth. I put my hands on my chair which is as cold as ice. I can see people are
trying to smile at me, but I feel that it is weak, and it makes me uncomfortable. I knew
this hospital was cleaned often due to the smell of Clorox. It also had an antiseptic
smell.
       The doctor came out and shook his head. My brain turned numb. My jaw opened
wide as an elephant. I was thinking, “I knew it. His time is up.” Stupid Covid! Why didn’t
the other person wear a mask? Why didn’t daddy wear one either? The tears were
overwhelming my eyes as I felt the sadness creep into my body. I realized that all the
things my friends, teachers, and the government said about masks were because they
cared. I learned that day masks might be uncomfortable, but they save lives by helping
block the spread of COVID-19.
       You are probably thinking that this story is sad and talks about the importance of
masks. You might think this is untrue, but it is not! Someone from Ohio who said he
didn’t want to wear a mask died because of COVID-19, but he didn’t die because he
didn’t wear a mask. He died because others didn’t wear a mask and he didn’t wear one
either. Wearing a mask doesn’t protect you per se; it protects others from being infected
by you. When you wear a mask, you are saving lives and when others wear a mask,
they are saving your life because your mask contains your spit and saliva from
spreading. However, if you choose not to wear a mask, you will probably end up
wearing an oxygen mask in the hospital instead. Remember this as well: COVID IS A
TRANSMISSIBLE VIRUS THROUGH CLOSE PERSONAL CONTACT WITHIN 6FT
PROXIMITY OF EACH OTHER. The idea of wearing a mask is not favored by many; it’s
a very stuffy and uncomfortable but it gives you protection that may save your life and
somebody else’s.
       So, the question is this: how important is your life and others around you?