Letter to the Editor: Tamar Wilons

COVID-19 Letter to America

Wherever you are right now, whatever you are doing, I would like you to pause your activities, take a seat and hear me out. For those of you who were going to read my above statement and continue on with your current activities before you go, I have one question: Aren’t you glad you’re wearing that mask? Ah-ha! Now I have your attention.

Before you roll your eyes and grunt at me, no this isn’t an infomercial on COVID-19 and why what you are currently doing is endangering the whole human population. Well, not exactly. Personally, if COVID-19 is brought up in any conversation it’s as if someone has just brought up the 2020 election instead. You’re either red or blue. And that’s why I’m not, yes you heard me, I’m not going to talk about COVID-19 statistics, and what you need to be doing to keep yourself and the rest of America safe (well, not exactly). You’ve listened to the news, read the newspapers, and have scrolled through Twitter. I don’t need to talk about something you already know.

So, I’m going to ask you again, please take a second and pause whatever you’re doing at this moment. I need you, America, to hear me out because what I’m about to share with you isn’t something you will have heard already on the news or read tweets about. Hi, my name is Tamar. I’m a senior in high school, and I’m afraid I’m losing something very important to me: My America.

At 17 years old, I’m now having to worry about whether or not I’ve been exposed to a deadly virus that has killed around 282,000 people in the United States, and 1.54 million worldwide. If I were to not be wearing a mask, I would not only be endangering myself and my family, but I would also be endangering every single person I encounter in my day-to-day life.

As a 17-year-old, I have to ask myself, am I a murderer? I know this sounds silly, me a 17-year-old killing hundreds and hundreds of people? It’s not easy holding your head up high during a pandemic when you feel like you’ve contributed to a genocide. Death is not a joke. Death isn’t something you should ever take lightly, especially when you can do things to prevent it. But you know what else isn’t a joke? Our mental health. That’s right, I’m admitting to you today that COVID-19 is taking a toll on my mental and emotional health and I KNOW for a FACT I’m not the only one in this position.

So, America, yes you, I hope you will have made it to this part of my letter for I am a teen on a mission. America, the land of the free, home of the brave is dying. Whether you are red or blue, wear a mask, keep your distance. And in case you’re wondering, no, I don’t want to hear why you don’t wear a mask. I don’t care “why” you aren’t socially distancing with those who don’t live under your roof. There are NO excuses (exception: medical diagnosis) especially when My America is suffering and deteriorating right in front of my 17-year-old eyes.

Tamar Wilons, Dunwoody