About the fuss over masks: People should wear them in enclosed or indoor public spaces. They aren’t a sign of wimpiness. They show a basic understanding of simple common courtesy and decency.
There are quite a few rugged individualists who seemingly believe that refusing to wear a mask is a sign of their fearlessness or bravery, as they proclaim “I’m not afraid. If its my time, its my time!” But these are actually unfortunate statements of confused ignorance.
Masks are not worn to protect the wearer. They are worn to protect everyone else from what the wearer may well not know: he or she carries the virus. Not wearing one really says: I don’t care about anyone else getting the virus from me, or even about my refusal to wear a mask causing others to have anxiety. I just don’t care about others at all. Period. Its all about me. Not grocery clerks or nurses or anyone else who may not want my droplets or mist in their airspace. Just me. I am what matters.
Now, I doubt that everyone deciding not to mask up is consciously rubbing deliberate disrespect In the face of their fellow Americans, but it sure comes off that way. So why be like that? Why send such an unmistakable “I matter but you don’t” message.
Why expose others to what you have or even what they fear you might? Why not do such a silly, simple little thing to contribute to someone’s peace of mind, instead of increasing their uneasiness? It doesn’t hurt you in any way, and it doesn’t cost you anything to simply be considerate. They would probably do it for you, in fact they probably are. After all, they aren’t wearing their masks to protect themselves. They are wearing them for you. Return the favor.
Mark Roe
Sedro-Woolley
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