Face Coverings and COVID-19 Guidelines

Face Coverings and COVID-19

• Face coverings in public are a frequently discussed topic.
• A common sentiment is that if a person isn't at high risk for COVID-19, they shouldn't have to wear a mask.
• The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing is difficult (like grocery stores).
• This is because the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread before symptoms appear, through actions like coughing, sneezing, or speaking.

Cloth Face Coverings

• Cloth face coverings are recommended due to their low cost and availability.
• Using cloth face coverings preserves surgical masks and N95 masks for healthcare workers who care for COVID-19 patients.

Essay Structure

• The introductory paragraph should outline the topic, background information, evidence, and a thesis statement.
• The thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point and claim of your essay.

Argumentative Essay Structure

• Body paragraphs (3 or more) explain the reasons supporting the thesis.
• Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence that explains why the reader should agree, and it must back up claims with examples, research, and statistics.
• The conclusion restates the thesis and summarizes all points made in the body paragraphs; emotional appeal is good, including personal anecdotes.

Steps to Writing an Argumentative Essay

• Research
• State your proposition or thesis statement: it concentrates the focus of the essay, being debated.
• Consider the opposition: what points will others disagree with, or counter your points? Which points are the most debatable (can be argued back and forth)?
• Structure your argument: organize the essay with paragraphs that address each element or part of the argument.

Five Types of Argument Claims

• Fact: This clearly presents the argument, whether true or false, and asks a yes or no question that supports the facts.
• Definition: Uses dictionary definitions of concepts, adding personal interpretation to them.
• Value: Discusses stance, and asks to choose between beliefs, etc.
• Cause and Effect: Explains problems and outcomes related to your given argument.
• Policy: An appeal to the readers, stirring thinking about doing something about a certain stance; a call to action.

Three Ways to Present Argument Claims

• Classical: The most popular approach; presents the main argument, explains your stance, and attempts to convince the reader your stance is the right one.
• Rogerian: Focuses on "common ground" between opposing sides, acknowledging opposing views and identifying areas of agreement. This is a good approach for polarizing topics.
• Toulmin: Presents a claim, grounds to support it, and justifies those grounds; effective for polarizing topics, focusing on facts.

School Uniforms

• School uniforms are a frequent topic of debate among educators, parents, and students.
• Arguments for uniforms include promoting equality (reduced peer pressure on fashion/clothing based on wealth), reducing distraction (making learning more focused), fostering a better community environment (students are more focused on their education rather than their clothing choice).
• Although some argue that uniforms limit individuality, the argument for equality among students, the increase in focus on education (and reduced distractions), and the better overall community environment more than outweigh this concern.

This quiz examines the role of face coverings in the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on CDC recommendations and the importance of cloth masks. It also provides an outline for crafting an argumentative essay on the topic, highlighting key components like introduction, thesis statement, and body paragraphs.