Recent studies have shown that wearing a mask is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of COVID. Moving into the next phase of reopening, it is even more imperative that we continue to protect ourselves. As an educator, I am concerned for my safety if I were to be put in a school environment and students were not required to wear masks. Studies have shown that masks are most effective in preventing sick people from spreading their infection to others. Given the fact that scientists have found it difficult to determine what percentage of COVID patients are asymptomatic (anywhere from 5-80%), masks are our best bet in curtailing the spread of infection.