As the ebbs and flows of the pandemic vary from day-to-day it is important to understand when and where the masks are required when you are out in public. This should be common knowledge now considering the multitude of PSA’s and infomercials about the current pandemic, but it is still crucial to understand the importance of mask requirements. The Government of Canada has released an informative guide relating to the proper masks to use in public as well as why you should be wearing them versus others. As well as explaining the benefits of masks, the article also mentions the limitations that some masks have, which is an important factor to consider when you are wearing one in public. Masks are required in almost all restaurants and stores due to the traffic coming through their respective businesses and safety for staff and fellow customers. However, should you choose to sit outside at a restaurant, your mask may not be required.

A general rule of thumb to follow when trying to understand where masks are required in Canada is that if you are entering an enclosed space i.e. inside, then you should be weary that you’ll need a mask before entering. On the other side of this, most places of business have visual indicators like signs and notes for customers before entering the establishment so if there isn’t one saying whether or not the mask is required you’d be alright, but it’s up to you if you want to take the risk.

On the other side of this, where you choose to wear a mask in public wherever you go, some companies don’t give that option, which is understandable considering the amount of risk that the company could be taking on if they were to become careless and allow a spread to occur within their business. In an article from Global News that goes into detail regarding how businesses are handling mask conduct around Canada, it explains the importance of having worn a mask when either working for these companies or by engaging in their services. The article also goes more in-depth on all of the services where it is mandatory to wear a mask so that you don’t get yourself in trouble with these companies or put yourself at risk even further.

These rules that have been put in place regarding where masks are required in Canada should not be considered as suggestions. These are crucial statements made by healthcare professionals who are incredibly knowledgeable about the subject. To further illustrate the seriousness of the matter, there has been an unsurprising amount of people who feel that they know best and how to keep themselves safe. Regardless of what you might believe in terms of personal experience when facing the virus or how it is being transmitted, you need to trust medical professionals or else there could be consequences. This can be seen in an article written earlier in the pandemic from the Toronto Star which details how provinces are handling non-mask wearing as well as the downside of choosing not to wear a personalized face mask.

There is also mention in the article on the ways in which not wearing a mask can result in some damaging effects on the economy that will be tougher to recover from than just any illness. Moreover, there is an overwhelming amount of evidence that goes against the use of not choosing to wear a mask, so the argument that you’d be better or without one is not exactly a strong one, other than personal opinion. Masks are being required at more locations every day, so when you make the decision to leave your home without one, you block yourself from engaging more with the outside world that is conforming to this idea of safety and security with the mask. While it may not be law that is required in all establishments to wear a mask within, it should be considered the standard because if everyone else is wearing one and you aren’t then you draw the risk of being the most at-risk person in every area that you choose to enter.

To further hammer in the previous point it’s important to try and consider the importance of mask information and why we need to take it more seriously than ever before.  If this seems like a repetitive statement, that’s because it is necessary data to follow. To get a better understanding of this paradigm regarding the overwhelming amount of information and the lack of aptitude in following the information, there is a piece written on Nature.com that thoughtfully examines it. It considers both sides fairly rather than heavily criticizing one and praising the other. So after all of this information has been presented to you it might be time to wonder where you can get your masks. While the specific medical ones might be hard to come by there is a simpler way, by ordering your masks through Custom PPE. The site offers a quick ordering and numerous options regarding your mask design so that you don’t sacrifice your style with your safety. That is just one of the many types of stores offering you a way to protect yourself and others during this trying time, and by doing so, you won’t just be protecting yourself, you’ll be saving lives.