Face the facts

"My body, my decision." Okay, I get it. But it's not as simple as that.

The numbers continue to climb whenever and wherever there are citizens who do not wear a mask or social distance. And the option has never been an either/or. It's both.      

So why aren't residents wearing masks? Of course it is a requirement in retail spaces as so eloquently explained in front door store signs everywhere. But why not anytime you leave your home? It seems as if the majority is not wearing a face covering. What's the hold up?

If it were only true that we wear a mask to protect ourselves then the "My body" protests would be more understandable. But we wear masks to also protect each other. That's why the state is creating mandates, threatening fines, spending all that effort to crowd source ideas for public service announcements. It's the reason why essential workers are protected in/out of the medical environment. And it's the reason — despite all of those for-profit companies that have created branded masks, logo masks, even designer couture ones that match outfits and can obscenely sell for $60 or more — can make a buck off of this marketable moment.

I know it feels uncomfortable. But a case of Covid-19 with a respirator is a lot more uncomfortable.

I know that many of us are not high-risk or immunocompromised. But we all know at least one person who is.

I know that it's always about the other guy. But it's not. It's about the security guard, the elderly neighbor, the family member or friend who succumbed to this terrible virus and the thousands more that may live if we do what is best for all.

I know that this pandemic has been taking a long time but it will take a lot longer if it spikes again and leads to more sheltering in place in the fall.

I know that issuing orders to wear one can impede on individual rights. But this is about the greater good for all of us Americans. The Americans who grew Victory Gardens and dealt with food and gasoline rationing and pulled together as one.

So if I may suggest, if you are feeling particularly patriotic during the days leading up to Independence Day, show how much you care about our nation and all of its people. Wear a mask and keep on wearing it

A contributing writer to the Herald since 2012, Lauren Lev is an East Meadow resident and a direct marketing/advertising executive who teaches marketing fundamentals as well as advertising and marketing communications courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology and SUNY Old Westbury.