When you’re leaving the house, you check that you have your keys, your phone, your wallet and now… your mask. Masks have become an everyday essential, and while I like wearing a mask and am slowly gathering a large collection of colorful cloth masks, many people are still using disposable surgical masks.
While surgical disposable masks have been used for ages in healthcare, many everyday consumers are turning their attention to them now when faced with a pandemic. They can be purchased in bulk on Amazon or bought in little single packages from grocery stores. They’re easy to find now, not just to purchase.
An environmental toll is already occurring here in South Florida. Masks are showing up on beaches, drifting along sidewalks and being run over on the road. Wearing a mask is a responsibility, but so is disposing of that mask — if the mask you were wearing is disposable. If you can afford to buy a pack of 20 disposable masks on Amazon, then you can afford to buy a pack of five reusable cloth masks that you can wash and wear as many times as you like.
Not to mention, since everyone is now hunting down masks online, the prices for personal protection equipment has gone up and healthcare workers are having a hard time sourcing the equipment they need. Some people have noticed an extra charge on their dental cleaning bill or a raise in prices for a simple physical checkup simply because healthcare facilities are having a harder time finding the equipment they need. The CDC warns against using a mask meant for a healthcare worker for this very reason.
Everyday citizens irresponsibly using masks means causing problems for healthcare workers and the environment. However, it is understandable if you are immunocompromised and feel less protected by a cloth mask. If you feel that you need a surgical mask, remember to make sure to dispose of them correctly and not just throw them on the ground.
