‘Wearing a mask is small price to pay.’ You could stop COVID-19 from killing a loved one | Opinion

At least 154 human beings living in Manatee County have now died from COVID-19.

It’s a stunning number, really, and one worth pausing to reflect upon. Every one represents a family who lost a loved one, including a good friend of mine who passed Friday. I spoke to my friend’s widow Saturday morning and gave her my prayers and condolences. For the last two weeks I have been talking to the family and trying to give them hope during these difficult times. Like so many other families that I’ve talked to in the last five months, the walk up to the ICU does not get easier as time goes on. The death toll is still rising in Manatee County where more than 7,600 people have tested positive for the new coronavirus. After a plateau, cases are surging again. In Manatee County. Early June saw 20-40 cases reported daily and in the past week, that has increased to over 100 to 150 a day or more.

“We are telling health systems to be prepared to be ready for a surge.”

Manatee Memorial and other health systems are prepared but we could do a better job of protecting our healthcare workers then telling them to be prepared.

Local health experts say one major reason for the spike is because people, especially the young, are not using face coverings. Face coverings, including masks, experts say, are the most effective way to stop the spread of the virus, along with frequent hand-washing and social distancing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated guidelines for face coverings on July 19. The CDC now recommends face coverings be worn in public and when around anyone who doesn’t live in your house. Wearing a mask or other type of face covering is more about protecting others than it is protecting yourself. That’s because masks block potentially infectious air particles from skyrocketing into the air around you.

If you’re not wearing a face covering, you may be allowing the virus to spread to anyone who comes close enough to your cough, sneeze or even just your breath. In effect, people who don’t wear masks are creating the same kind of public health jeopardy posed when anti-vaxers don’t get their shots.

We applaud those who are doing their part. That includes numerous businesses on both sides of the river that require their employees to wear face coverings. We encourage every business to do the same — and to consider requiring customers wear face coverings, as well. After all we’ve already sacrificed, that last thing we want is to backslide. Regardless of policy, folks should wear face coverings out of a sense of duty. This virus has been unprecedented. The sooner we get on board and behind the latest science, the sooner we can beat this thing.

To us, wearing a mask out and about for the time being seems a small price to pay if it means we can prevent more death. In respect to the 154 Manatee residents who’ve already died — and to prevent another devastating loss for a local family like my good friend who died this past Friday. — please, consider a mask.

Kevin DiLallo is chief executive officer of Manatee Healthcare System in Bradenton.

This story was originally published July 26, 2020 at 5:00 AM.