If All Masks Were Off...

If all masks were off, what would you be doing to protect your health?

Really... lets focus on this for a moment. Lets go there.
This is a conversation that needs more attention and unfortunately all the attention has gone to the great facial covering debate. It's trying to steal the show of more important conversations. There's room for both sides, whatever your beliefs, there is no denying we need to go here, whether you’re for masks or against.

I see so many more people advocating for health. Caring so much what they are doing and taking equal note of what others are doing. I am happy with the awareness, but unfortunately being "healthy" and staying that way is going to ensue so much more than putting a mask over your face (or bandana, or whatever you chose, since there's a wide variety of them around currently). The attention is on the wrong thing. It is said facial coverings help to slow the spread and if that is true, we STILL have a more important issue at hand. While fingers are getting pointed and new rules and mandates issued, we can find much better solutions.

First, let me address my disappointment in the current reopening guidelines for children going back to school. Masking, plexiglass barriers between students, and "social distancing" (nothing social about it) are robbing children from the very innocence of childhood that they deserve. Fear has trickled down and in efforts to try and prevent infections we are doing far worse things to mental and emotional health. It's extreme measures for the nature of what we are dealing with.

If we really wanted to have a conversation around protecting children's health, especially during this time with a pandemic, shouldn't we be focused on what's really going to keep them (and everyone) healthier? What are the things that lower the immune system? Just to name a few:

Sugar
Lack of sleep
Stress
Unhealthy food

So while our children are expected to wear masks all day are we also banning the cupcakes and candies, too? Think about it? These things matter so much more than we realize. We think a thin cloth mask that'll be touched hundreds of times a day is going to keep everyone healthy? There is something not right happening here. Imagine if we did something much better for our children and teachers. Instead of educating the benefits of masks, focused all our efforts and intentions on educating on how to live a healthier lifestyle. I'm not saying masks don't have a place in helping, but I certainly don't support their use in every situation and for every person. It's extreme. Again, it's a distraction from the real issues.

Going back to my opening question, it has always been about lifestyle. I'm speaking to the majority reading this. The ones who CAN do something about it because they haven't yet been struck by an unfortunate disease or something that has left them immune compromised. Why wouldn't we want to pay more attention to what we can do to REALLY slow the spread and not burden our hospitals for who really need to be there, if we care so much? We are being distracted. It's time to take back the wheel.

If all we do is scream about wearing a mask and get so angry at someone not wearing one, what does that say about our own understanding of health?

I am just asking questions here, because I don't see much of these conversations happening. I see a lot of shaming and bullying. Of concern over people dying and so all we are told to do is wear a mask and stay home. I've seen many people smoking right before covering their face and entering a grocery store. Their cart full of sugary sodas and processed foods. But, "wear a mask!" they shout, or even if nothing is said will glare at anyone who's not. Interesting to take notice of next time you run to the store.

You see, it is easy to put a piece of cloth over your face. To blend in and appear as though you are doing your part. What's NOT easy is living your life with discipline towards a more healthier lifestyle. That dedication doesn't happen in public. Yet, the judgement comes on strong.

Mask wearing in most cases isn't about doing something to protect the other person and yourself. It's about a false sense of security. It's trying to quell a fear from a lack of empowerment over one's health. It's a consequence from living under the influence of pharmaceutical pushed healthcare system.

Ask yourself what more we can be doing if we really wish to help the most vulnerable? If we really care, we need to ask better questions. Challenge ourselves more. If we really care, we aren't going to take the easy road.