Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article belong to its author and do not reflect the views of Natick Public Schools.

I’m sick of getting sick.

At Natick High School, hardly a day goes by that I don’t hear sniffles, coughs, or declarations of sickness from my peers. I’ve heard it said that schools are germ factories, and I couldn’t agree more—students are in close quarters all the time, have less mature immune systems than adults, and are less likely to practice hygiene fully and responsibly. Last year, between the months of December and March alone, I got sick six times. Six times. I was miserable for most of the winter.

Still, each of those six times, I adhered to my personal philosophy about sickness, which I adopted after the lockdown of 2020: If I’ve got something, no matter what it is, I wear a mask.

There are no exceptions to this—no “I’m only a little sick” or “I’m probably not contagious.” As soon as I recognize that my sniffles aren’t allergies, the mask goes on, and it stays until I’m better. It’s the best way for me to respect other people’s health and ensure I’m not just another gear in the so-called germ factory.

So, why do I mask up? It’s simple: respiratory viruses spread through contact and airborne droplets or aerosols, and masks can help in both scenarios. Not only do they help prevent the spread of droplets from a person’s nose and mouth into the air, but they also inhibit a person’s ability to touch their face and then make contact with a surface or another person. No, they aren’t foolproof—smaller droplets can of course escape the pores of a mask, and masks don’t functionally eliminate spread through contact—but imperfection cannot be equated with ineffectiveness. Used in conjunction with handwashing and mindfulness of the distance between oneself and others, masks are a great way to keep your germs to yourself when sick.

In a school setting, where students are almost always in close quarters with one another because of crowded hallways or desk spacing in classrooms, these steps can make all the difference.

In Japan, South Korea, and other East Asian countries, wearing a mask when sick has been the norm for decades; however, in the U.S., a very libertarian culture has unfortunately contributed to a widespread rejection of masks, which has only worsened as COVID-19 death tolls have decreased. Some Americans reject them altogether; others simply see them as a COVID-specific preventative measure. Some even consider masks an infringement on their personal freedoms. To each of them, I say this: it’s our responsibility as neighbors, friends, and even strangers to protect one another from illnesses and other health threats. 

No one wants to be sick, of course, but for some people, catching something as seemingly innocuous as a cold can actually lead to serious health concerns. If being a considerate and responsible citizen is not a good enough reason for you to wear a mask, then consider this: you don’t know other people’s medical history or circumstances, and your choices can greatly affect someone’s life. It’s up to you whether that impact is positive or negative.

So, if you find yourself sniffling this winter, remember to be considerate of those around you. If I’m sick, I’ll be masking up—will you?