Alisha Poppen
University College of Cork, Ireland
Wearing a mask has become a sign of utmost empathy one can show to another
We do not wear a mask to protect our self, but rather to protect others
It is an implicit statement of love, not fear
I wear my mask to prevent the spread of the virus that can make you sick
Not because I think everyone around me has the virus and wants to infect me
Not because I am afraid of the virus
I wear my mask to comfort you, not to make you feel apprehensive
I wear my mask as a solider in this war against a microscopic threat that spares nobody
It is armor
Six feet apart and a piece of fabric to cover our face
It is all that we have to protect life and prevent death
No borders that separate us, no vaccine to save us
No person too big or too small, too rich or too poor, too red or too blue is immune
We all play for the same team
The mask, a symbol of unity, a symbol of hope and a symbol of love
