Compassion would go a long way toward building community

In his reason for pulling funding from the Panhandle Health District, Bonner County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw states, "Breath is the very essence of life. There is no human right more fundamental that the right to breathe." What do you, and other mask resistors say to the people who end up on ventilators or with compromised lung function because they contracted the novel coronavirus from someone who refused to wear a mask in public?

The vast majority of the medical community agrees the evidence shows that masks can make a positive difference in the spread of COVID-19. I have yet to hear the medical community discuss evidence that wearing a mask causes a person to need a ventilator or have long term compromised lung function.  

A mask mandate would not have to be considered if more people voluntarily chose to wear a mask while in public. A little compassion for others who are at risk from the coronavirus would go a long way toward  building a stronger community.

KRISTA EBERLE

Sandpoint