Americans are being asked to wear facemasks in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. About 18 states including Alabama are requiring people to wear face masks.

Of course, there is vocal resistance – but according to a recent survey, 80 percent of Americans think masks make sense, whether they wear them or not.

Health experts confirm that droplets infected with viable coronavirus particles, emitted by coughing, sneezing, breathing, singing or even just talking, can travel several feet in the air, and smaller droplets, called aerosols, can go even farther and likely carry viable virus particles.

The economy depends on healthy workers and healthy customers. Wearing a face mask is actually a way to contribute to the rebooting of the economy. It says to others, “I want to get back to work, and I want you to be safe.”

We all want things to go back to normal, but to achieve this, we need to do our part by wearing face masks and practicing social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Dianne Wages Pace – author, clubwoman and a dear friend of mine – wrote the following:

“When I Wear a Mask in Public”

I want you to know I am educated enough to know I could be asymptomatic and still give you the virus.

No, I don’t “live in fear” of the virus; I just want to be part of the solution, not the problem.

I don’t feel like the “government is controlling me;” I feel like I’m being a contributing adult to society, and I want to teach others the same.

The world doesn’t revolve around me. It’s not all about me and my comfort.

If we all could live with other people’s consideration in mind, this whole world would be a much better place.

Wearing a mask doesn’t make me weak, scared, stupid or even “controlled.” It makes me considerate.

When you think about how you look, how uncomfortable it is, or what others think of you, just imagine someone close to you – a child, a father, a mother, grandparent, aunt, or uncle – choking on a respirator, alone without you or any family member allowed at bedside. Ask yourself if you could have sucked it up a little for them.

Wearing a mask when and where called for is not some symbol of governmental tyranny or overreach by scientists. It’s simply one small step for humankind.

Remember: the more people wearing masks, the better.