The Mask Mandate: The Controversy Continues

Abstract

On March 11, 2020, the world came to a standstill in a truly unprecedented manner. Shut-down schools, empty grocery aisles, and barren streets shifted from unfamiliarity to the new normal. Perhaps the most significant of these changes ​​was the widespread usage of protective masks to curb the spread of SARS-CoV2, more commonly known as COVID-19. Along with the constant influx of changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has been an onslaught of controversy regarding whether individuals should be legally required to wear masks. As of March 11, 2022, several states have announced that masks are no longer mandated. From what has been observed, there are two major stances on this subject — those who oppose the lifting of the mandate, and those who are in favor. This has provided a unique opportunity to demonstrate the tenuous relationship between public policy and scientific fact, and how the two are not mutually exclusive. This analysis seeks to dissect these views and present the findings through an evidence-based lens.