Armor for the Viral Warfare

A Persuasive Speech
Armors are clothing used to protect the wearer from danger. In medieval times, materials
such as iron, silver, aluminum, and even gold were utilized in their creation. They were designed
to deflect weapons and decrease the damages received by the wearer. Nowadays, however,
our armor is cloth-like. It does not cover the whole body like the traditional armor but it is pretty
effective in providing protection. It is thinner and lighter than paper but how can it save not only
one but multiple lives? This is because our opponent in this generation is not a soldier or a
warrior, rather it is something unseen and more formidable, and all we can do right now is not to
face it head-on, but rather with caution.
In this era, we are at war with a virus, specifically, severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2. It affected millions of lives across the globe and the numbers
still keep on increasing. At first, everybody was hopeless, however, our hopelessness did not
last long. We are already in a technologically- and medically-advanced generation, however,
we need not rash decisions to dispose of our enemy. That is why researchers and scientists
are doing their best to provide us with the best options and medications there are. However,
while they are doing their best in finding solutions, it is up to us normal citizens to decrease
the transmission and evolution of the virus, and this can only be done through the utilization
of our modern armor, the face mask.
The utilization of a face mask is proven to be effective in preventing the transmission
of respiratory infection according to research. The disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2,
which is the Corona Virus Disease 2019, commonly referred to as CoVID-19, is a respiratory
infection. Therefore, via the transitive property, wearing face masks, especially when
immersing oneself in a community setting or a place with high crowd density, can reduce or
even prevent the transmission of the aforementioned disease. In relation to this, a memo was
issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) stating that the
wearing of personal protective equipment, especially face masks is mandatory in public
places.
The face masks can be considered advanced armor as it does not only protect us but
it also protects the ones around us. According to Amesh A. Adalja, MD, an infectious disease
expert and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, “Face masks can
help protect against many respiratory infections that are spread through the droplet route, and
that includes coronavirus and the flu.”, and with that being said, it goes without saying that all of
us have tendencies to release droplets, whether it may be through sneezing, coughing, or even
as we speak. It is by wearing face masks that we are able to protect not only ourselves but also
the ones who are around us, literally.
In conclusion, be safe. It just so happens that the cheapest and most efficient way to be
safe in these times is using or wearing face masks. Aside from the fact that the government
mandatorily requires us to do so, it is a moral obligation to protect those who surround us and it
is a personal dereliction to not abide. It is highly understandable if one is still uncomfortable with
the constant wearing of face mask but this temporary discomfort cannot be compared to the hell
brought by the disease itself. So be a warrior and arm yourself; get ready for the war against
CoVID-19.
 SARS-CoV-2 Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
Facemask use in community settings to prevent respiratory infection transmission: A
rapid review and meta-analysis - ScienceDirect
The importance of wearing masks in curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic - PMC (nih.gov)