A wise Twitter user once said "mask it or casket", and I for one, didn't think it was that hard of a decision. Yet, our society seems to be at a sharp divide over wearing masks while out in public during these unprecedented times of the pandemic. When it comes down to it though, some of the reasoning behind not covering your mouth isn't very full proof.

The classic excuse of not being able to breathe under the material seems pretty miniscule compared to the amount of breathing trouble you'll encounter while hooked up to a ventilator with Covid. I know in some buildings it can get stuffy with a mask on, but I'd take being a little flushed over getting myself sick any day. Another point made about breathability is that you can pass out from wearing one too long, but since there are numerous professions who have to wear masks all day, and especially now with essential workers, I don't think that it's very likely. The last breathing argument made is that it does inhibit the breathing processes of those that already have conditions that mess with their breathing. Those people are the ones that society are trying to protect though. If you are high-risk, especially someone with a weakened respiratory system, the Coronavirus would target you the harshest. I just don't understand, why you'd jeopardize your life like that, unless there was no other option?

My next category of reasoning is the religious ones I've heard. I've mostly seen people use these ones on city hall clips, where they demand their town, state, region, etc. doesn't mandate wearing a mask in public. One was that a medical mask was a creation of Satan, but I hate to break it to whoever said that, but it was actually created by Johann von Mikulicz-Radecki over a century ago. I don't think we get to say something was made by Satan, just because we don't like it. That'd be like a little kid saying broccoli was Satan's creation so they don't have to eat it. The other argument I heard was that wearing a mask was throwing God's breathing system down the drain, and this doesn't seem very logical, since you are still breathing underneath the mask. No one's asking you to hold your breath when you go to public places.

Next, we have the reasoning that people feel restricted by the masks. One woman said at a town hall meeting that she wouldn't be muzzled, and honestly, this one doesn't really make sense. You can still speak with a mask on; it does not take that ability away from you. Other people claim that wearing a mask infringes on their rights as an American citizen, and we've all seen these people. They go to private businesses who are allowed to make their own rules and throw temper tantrums that could rival some toddlers when they get told to leave. They push the workers, they scream in their faces, throw their groceries on the floor, some even try to cough on people. There's no way you can watch these videos and think they're the rational ones there. If you've ever heard the phrase "under my roof, my rules", before, this claim just seems silly.

Now, I didn't know where to fit this argument in at, and I'm not even going to explain the flaws in this one, but one lady told her whole city council that she doesn't wear a mask for the same reason she doesn't wear underwear- some things just need to breathe. Okay, TMI.

This last category of reasons is sort of miscellaneous but still has some important ones. I've heard the point that you can't live in fear countless times, but there's a difference between having simple precautions and becoming the boy in the plastic bubble. You don't go skydiving without a parachute, do you? People in interviews have said that since they don't personally know anyone who has gotten sick, it doesn't seem real enough. I don't know about you but having basic empathy for the thousands who've died doesn't seem that difficult, and if you can prevent one person from getting sick, why wouldn't you jump at the chance? There's just a certain lack of human decency I'm seeing for the people around you, and it's sort of depressing.

P.S. If you still think that Coronavirus is a hoax or believe the ludicrous falsities that our President likes to spread about the virus, may I suggest you look into his idea of ingesting bleach. The man is no scientist.

If you ever want this nightmare to be over and complain every time a new event is cancelled, wear a mask. What's the worse it can do? Cases are rising again, and it's not rocket science to see why. Take care of your fellow human beings. It's really not that hard.