Skyrocketing Texas COVID-19 Cases Force Statewide Mask Mandate to Slow the Spread
It is never too late to do the right thing
Texas Governor Grey Abbott announced a statewide face coverings mandate to slow the spread of COVID-19 as the state continues its streak of record-breaking new cases. As states moved to ease restrictions and reopen local economies, scientists warned us to maintain hand hygiene, social distancing, and nonmedical face coverings when out in public.
Texas chose not to listen to science. We opened up the economy.
Many wish political leaders would have acted faster to institute a universal mask policy. A study from Columbia University estimated we could have saved 36,000 lives if social distancing and other restrictions been put in place one week earlier.
In April, we warned of the need to extend the stay-at-home order to avoid overwhelming the US Health System. As our local hospitals reach surge capacity, we are grateful for today’s actions. The US reports 55,000 new cases just today, and NIH director Dr. Anthony Fauci reports we may be on our way to 100,000 cases per day.
If you watch the news, you know masks are back. It is hard to believe, but we are STILL talking about masks. As COVID-19 cases surge, the “controversial” face-covering debate returns. Who would have thought wearing a surgical mask would become a political issue?
Every human on earth wants to stop the spread of COVID-19, and the science is clear. Masks reduce the spread of COVID-19.
We are pleased with our Governor’s action today. It is never too late to do the right thing.
Exceptions to the mask requirement:
- Anyone younger than 10;
- Any person with a medical condition or disability that prevents wearing a face covering;
- While consuming food or drink, or while seated at a restaurant to eat or drink; and
- While exercising outdoors or engaging in physical activity outdoors and maintaining a safe distance from others.
Why we should wear a mask?
We are Americans, and we don’t like being told what to do. Individuals must decide for themselves. Should the public sacrifice a small amount of personal freedom for the greater good of society? Or is individual liberty the defining principle even if the end result is killing others with viral particles housed in the breath.
According to 17th-century philosopher Blaise Pascal, the rational decision is to choose infinite gain over a finite loss.
Pascal’s Wager: A coin toss we all must play. In the end, there is only one winner.
What if you were the vector for viral transmission?
Over the past few months, we have learned silent spreaders of COVID-19 are crucial to stopping the pandemic. Some people are carriers of SARS-Cov-2 and may spread the virus before they develop symptoms. Others may pass the infection to another without ever developing symptoms at all. All of us may be a potential asymptomatic carrier.
How would you live your life differently if you KNEW you were a COVID-19 carrier who could infect and kill others?
What if the simple act of wearing a mask saved another person's life?
A mask is a way to show others you care
Every doctor, nurse, and healthcare worker I know has spent every waking minute worrying about ways to keep patients, staff, and their families safe. Wearing a mask is not about protecting yourself. A face covering is now an act of kindness toward others.
On my first day off since the pandemic started, three women at Walmart reminded me human kindness knows no limits. Our world is dark and dreary but heroes are everywhere. We need to celebrate them.
Acts of kindness will conquer the virus.
How do you do make a mask?
Our Obgyn office takes care of pregnant women. We had to keep our office open. Despite the shelter in place warnings, pregnancy does not care about the pandemic. Those babies are coming out.
We were missing masks. We reached out to sewing groups on Facebook to find help. Heroes like the Quilting Angels came to the rescue donating over 5000 masks to protect our mommies-to-be.
Here is how everyone can make a mask and save lives.
Masks protect healthcare workers
Healthcare workers need your help. My colleagues are brave, professional, and committed. They are also fatigued, scared, and at risk of catching COVID-19 at work. This is the new normal for health care workers as our families struggle with the challenges of social distancing.
The US needs all doctors, nurses and other medical professionals on the front lines to stop the spread of COVID-19. Help keep us alive by wearing a mask.
Healthcare providers fear we may be the silent spreaders. When the fundamental nature of our job is to keep others safe, the idea we may infect others haunts us. It takes its toll.
I wear a mask for you. Will you wear one for me?
America must get this message: SARS-CoV-2 does not care what you think or what you believe. To protect those we love, and everyone else, we must cover our faces.
Imagine being outside on a cold day and seeing your breath appear in a cloud. These clouds are the respiratory droplets present in our breath every day. Viral particles attach to these droplets and spread the virus from one person to another.
Covering your face is a small sacrifice to save another’s life.
Cases continue to rise. Hospitals are reaching capacity. The future is uncertain. One day, the pandemic will end. Treatments will evolve. A vaccine will be discovered. We will achieve herd immunity one way or another.
The world will make it to the other side. In the meantime, we all must do our part to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
We are in this together.
Wear a mask.
