So You Think You Know Respect...I Respectfully Disagree
Eimy Sarduy, Junior, National English Honor Society Liaison
Eimy Sarduy, Junior, National English Honor Society Liaison
Values are instilled in us by those around us: our parents, our teachers, and our friends. It can be easy to lose track of our core values when we think we are no longer in an environment that nourishes those qualities, but the truth is they are everywhere, even in your own home. One particular value that many of us use without fully understanding what it means is respect.
There are variations in the definition of respect among individuals. To some, it might mean saying thank you after a nice gesture, and to others, it might mean listening to their grandparent's story until they can tell it themselves. Are some people acting more respectfully than others? Not at all. At the core of respect lies admiration and treating someone with kindness, so there are many ways to express those feelings. The way you show it is not of the essence, making that person feel respected.
There are variations in the definition of respect among individuals. To some, it might mean saying thank you after a nice gesture, and to others, it might mean listening to their grandparent's story until they can tell it themselves. Are some people acting more respectfully than others? Not at all. At the core of respect lies admiration and treating someone with kindness, so there are many ways to express those feelings. The way you show it is not of the essence, making that person feel respected.
Stock Image of student or person or people wearing masks
The world stopping does not mean that our values have to stop. During this ongoing pandemic, wearing a mask is considered a sign of respect. However, some people feel that they are immune to COVID or that COVID-19 is not a real threat, so they do not feel the need to protect themselves. These people should not be so adamant in their beliefs considering that in “Clinical Questions about COVID: Questions and Answers,” the CDC admits that they, people whose job it is to prevent and control diseases, are still unsure of the duration of immunity after contracting the Coronavirus. To individuals who abide by the CDC’s guidelines, people not wearing a mask is disrespectful because it shows a flagrant disregard for the safety of others; it implies that they do not care who they infect.
By choosing to wear a face covering, you are protecting yourself and others from contacting COVID. For example, “Starbucks Cafe's COVID Outbreak Spared Employees Who Wore Masks,” a recent article by Bloomberg, Kim, the author, explains that four employees who were wearing face coverings managed to avoid contamination with COVID. In other words, showing respect for themselves by taking the proper precautions helped them dodge a deadly disease. So, to all those skeptical of the efficacy of masks, they will keep you safe, and with a little bit of luck, they will slow the spread.
And, there are many other ways you can show respect from a safe distance. For starters, showing up to class on time will certainly put a smile on your teacher's face, and helping your classmates will not only make them feel appreciated, but it will also make you feel better about yourself, knowing that you helped your friend get the grade they deserved. Remember, this is a difficult time for all of us. If all of us work together to make each other feel more appreciated and respected, then maybe this tough time would be a little more bearable. |
Yaroslav Danylchenko photo of Mona Lisa with a face mask
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