Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Masks are not a partisan issue. They are a public health issue. #AmericaMaskUp

Vineet Arora, MD, Shikha Jain, MD, Laura Zimmermann, MD, Ali Khan, MD, Amisha Wallia, MD, and Eve Bloomgarden, MD
Conditions
June 19, 2020
23K Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

The second surge of COVID-19 that was predicted after individuals across the country celebrated the Memorial Day holiday seems to have begun. Cases in Arizona have nearly doubled since the holiday weekend as hospitals in the state are reaching capacity. Oregon and Utah have paused reopening in the midst of spikes in numbers of cases and North Carolina is considering the need for a second shut down. And while the United States now has over 2 million confirmed cases of coronavirus since the start of this pandemic, the president declared victory over the pandemic last month, and his mockery of wearing a mask has led to division in this country, that is observed even within his own party.

The president assumed a reporter on the White House Lawn was wearing a mask to be “politically correct” and went so far as to mock former Vice President Biden for wearing a mask on his visit to honor fallen soldiers. Two weeks after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stressed the importance of wearing a mask and emphasized its importance in controlling this pandemic, a factory in Maine had to discard all swabs produced on the day the president visited and refused to wear a mask during his tour. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to plague the nation, it is essential to remember that masks are not a partisan issue, they are a public health one. COVID-19 does not distinguish between political parties and leaders from both sides of the aisle have pleaded with their communities to wear a  mask when leaving home to control the spread of this dangerous virus.

Most Americans are united in wanting to reopen and get back to a new normal, with varying levels of quarantine fatigue impacting individuals across the nation. The economy is declining, the mental health of our nation is suffering, and everyone is looking for a light at the end of the tunnel. However, despite the fact individuals on both sides of the aisle support masks, the concept of universal masking has become incredibly divisive, and the fact that wearing a mask is critical in order to safely reopen and remain open has been lost in the discussion.

It is important to remember that the reopening of businesses does not imply that the virus is contained, nor does it mean that the risk of being infected has lessened.  In fact, as businesses reopen, the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 has increased.  As states reopen, our nation is seeing a spike in coronavirus cases that are not explained by better testing capabilities.

Spreading the virus does not require one to cough or sneeze, but simply speaking has been shown to potentially transmit infected droplets. Some may never show any symptoms and still infect others by speaking loudly in a public space without a mask on. For this reason, the CDC recommends anyone over the age of two wear a mask whenever in public. Dr. Fauci, the nation’s guiding scientific voice on COVID-19, urged all Americans to use universal masking to prevent the spread of the virus and protect others. This is especially true in public areas where it can be challenging to maintain a distance of six feet from others. As the weather improves, keeping the length of a high school locker or two shopping carts between yourself and others on the sidewalk can be difficult as more people venture out of their homes.

The New England Journal of Medicine notes that wearing a mask can decrease the amount of viral droplets released into the air. In other words, wearing a mask prevents you from infecting others, and other people wearing a mask prevents them from infecting you. Countries that implemented universal masking have already seen decreases in viral transmission. A recent study out of Cambridge and Greenwich University reports the use of universal masking can prevent future surges of the virus.  Thus, it is important that all Americans mask up prior to stepping out of the house to control the spread of this virus. Wearing a mask must not only become the hottest must-have accessory of the moment, but it also must become the norm.

To be sure, wearing a mask can be an inconvenience, and as the weather gets warmer it can be uncomfortable. Certain masks are not as breathable, and universal masking has not been a part of the culture of this country. But it is important to remember that wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing will not only save lives, but can also prevent the collapse of our healthcare system and bring us all a step closer to reopening schools, places of worship, and other workplaces that we so desperately crave. Everyone must do their part so that we do not backslide into a second surge requiring more shelter-in-place orders to be implemented across the country.

It is time to put our political and ideological differences aside and recognize that our true enemy is COVID-19. Wearing a mask and social distancing works to control the spread of this virus that does not discriminate based on political party, religious affiliation, or personal beliefs. Make a mask for yourself or others, wear a mask, and thank others who are wearing them – they are protecting you. It’s time to show the world what it means to be the United States, not the divided states, and unite against this common enemy. America, mask up.

Vineet Arora, Shikha Jain, Laura Zimmermann, Ali Khan, Amisha Wallia, and Eve Bloomgarden are physicians and represent the Illinois Medical Professionals Action Collaborative Team.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

How listening is a huge part of what we do for our patients

June 19, 2020 Kevin 0
…
Next

Technological change and mental health: How will the workforce of the future cope with the fourth industrial revolution?

June 19, 2020 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: COVID, Infectious Disease

Post navigation

< Previous Post
How listening is a huge part of what we do for our patients
Next Post >
Technological change and mental health: How will the workforce of the future cope with the fourth industrial revolution?

More by Vineet Arora, MD, Shikha Jain, MD, Laura Zimmermann, MD, Ali Khan, MD, Amisha Wallia, MD, and Eve Bloomgarden, MD

  • Take the pledge to be #6ftApartNotUnder and advocate for social distancing

    Vineet Arora, MD, Shikha Jain, MD, Laura Zimmermann, MD, Ali Khan, MD, Amisha Wallia, MD, and Eve Bloomgarden, MD

Related Posts

  • Low income is a neglected public health issue

    Vania Silva
  • Anti-blackness is a public health issue

    Kimberly Grocher, LCSW, Divya K. Chhabra, MD, Yolanda Kirkham, MD, Naila Russell, DNP, Mary Pan Wierusz, MD, Susan Dix Lyons, Adham Sameer A. Bardeesi, MD, and Gillian S. Gould, PhD
  • It’s time to study firearm morbidity and mortality as we do any other public health issue

    Charles Nozicka, DO
  • Why is health inequity an issue, and why do we have to highlight the issue?

    Sarah Murad
  • Why working at polling locations is good public health

    Rob Palmer, Isaac Freedman, and Josh Hyman
  • Our public health efforts depend on flexibility and trust

    John Connolly

More in Conditions

  • Lazarus: the dead man brought back to life

    William Lynes, MD
  • The psychoanalytic hammer: lessons in listening and patient-centered care

    Greg Smith, MD
  • 5 essential tips to help men prevent prostate cancer

    Kevin Jones, MD
  • Changing the pediatric care landscape: Integrating behavioral and mental health care

    Hilary M. Bowers, MD
  • Unlocking the secret to successful weight loss: Curiosity is the key

    Franchell Hamilton, MD
  • The teacher who changed my life through reading

    Raymond Abbott
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • Healing the damaged nurse-physician dynamic

      Angel J. Mena, MD and Ali Morin, MSN, RN | Policy
    • The struggle to fill emergency medicine residency spots: Exploring the factors behind the unfilled match

      Katrina Gipson, MD, MPH | Physician
    • Breaking the stigma: Addressing the struggles of physicians

      Jean Antonucci, MD | Physician
    • Beyond the disease: the power of empathy in health care

      Nana Dadzie Ghansah, MD | Physician
    • Deaths of despair: an urgent call for a collective response to the crisis in U.S. life expectancy

      Mohammed Umer Waris, MD | Policy
  • Past 6 Months

    • The hidden dangers of the Nebraska Heartbeat Act

      Meghan Sheehan, MD | Policy
    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • The vital importance of climate change education in medical schools

      Helen Kim, MD | Policy
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Why it’s time to question medical traditions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The hidden gems of health care: Unlocking the potential of narrative medicine

      Dr. Najat Fadlallah | Physician
    • The realities of immigrant health care served hot from America’s melting pot

      Stella Cho | Policy
    • The dark side of immortality: What if we could live forever?

      Ketan Desai, MD, PhD | Physician
    • Lazarus: the dead man brought back to life

      William Lynes, MD | Conditions
    • Revolutionizing COPD management with virtual care solutions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 2 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Doc Moms, Mind the Gap -- $3M Earning Difference by Sex
  • Clinical Note Writing App Powered by GPT-4 Set to Debut This Year
  • Helping Patients Get Fit -- One Walk at a Time
  • TB Cases Rebound to Near Pre-Pandemic Levels, CDC Data Show
  • Marginalized Groups May Benefit More From Decreasing Air Pollution

Meeting Coverage

  • Switch to IL-23 Blocker Yields Deep Responses in Recalcitrant Plaque Psoriasis
  • Biomarkers of Response With Enfortumab Vedotin in Advanced Urothelial Cancer
  • At-Home Topical Therapy for Molluscum Contagiosum Gets High Marks
  • Outlook for Itchy Prurigo Nodularis Continues to Improve With IL-31 Antagonist
  • AAAAI President Shares Highlights From the 2023 Meeting
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • Healing the damaged nurse-physician dynamic

      Angel J. Mena, MD and Ali Morin, MSN, RN | Policy
    • The struggle to fill emergency medicine residency spots: Exploring the factors behind the unfilled match

      Katrina Gipson, MD, MPH | Physician
    • Breaking the stigma: Addressing the struggles of physicians

      Jean Antonucci, MD | Physician
    • Beyond the disease: the power of empathy in health care

      Nana Dadzie Ghansah, MD | Physician
    • Deaths of despair: an urgent call for a collective response to the crisis in U.S. life expectancy

      Mohammed Umer Waris, MD | Policy
  • Past 6 Months

    • The hidden dangers of the Nebraska Heartbeat Act

      Meghan Sheehan, MD | Policy
    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • The vital importance of climate change education in medical schools

      Helen Kim, MD | Policy
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Why it’s time to question medical traditions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The hidden gems of health care: Unlocking the potential of narrative medicine

      Dr. Najat Fadlallah | Physician
    • The realities of immigrant health care served hot from America’s melting pot

      Stella Cho | Policy
    • The dark side of immortality: What if we could live forever?

      Ketan Desai, MD, PhD | Physician
    • Lazarus: the dead man brought back to life

      William Lynes, MD | Conditions
    • Revolutionizing COPD management with virtual care solutions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today iMedicalApps
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Masks are not a partisan issue. They are a public health issue. #AmericaMaskUp
2 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...