Wear the mask!

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Haleigh Jawidzik, Staff

In the world of the pandemic, masks are mandated to ensure the safety of the public, used to protect yourself from other airborne particles containing the deadly COVID-19 virus and protect everyone else from your germs. 

In November, Gov. Chris Sununu initiated a mask mandate in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of protecting our community. The mask mandate is set to expire on Jan. 15, and the governor has said he will extend it. 

I know masks can be annoying and uncomfortable, but when you’re putting a mask, think of the people around you and how your actions have consequences.

According to the Department of Health, the requirements for a medical exemption are as follows: Children under the age of 5 years old are at risk of suffocation; personnel who have a medical condition where a face covering will obstruct their breathing; and a mental health condition, disability or developmental condition may also be exempted.

If you’re at risk due to a condition, there are always alternative options provided so there no discrimination of services.

I’m a future healthcare professional, and even before the pandemic, masks were used for various procedures in the profession. It’s child play. I’ve gotten so used to wearing a mask hours upon end that I prefer to wear one even when it may not be required.

Although many in the public resent being mandated to wear a mask, the positives outweigh the negatives. According to the Center Disease Control, there have been nearly 23 million cases COVID-19 in the United States and more than 383,000 deaths.

COVID-19 is not a joke or a hoax. The number of new cases each day continues to rise, and new, more virulent strains of the virus are spreading like wildfires, so you must protect yourself to ensure the safety of others around you.

Overall, this provides an opportunity for our state to take matters into their own hands and create a solid plan moving forward into the future of the pandemic as vaccines continue to roll out. Hopefully, if everyone complies, an end to this terrible pandemic is in sight.