To mask or not and the COVID-19 pandemic

A recent letter complained about mask wearers who criticize anti-maskers. I have personally endured anti-mask harassment and am sure that the grief goes both ways. The author makes assumptions about mask wearers as she accuses them of making assumptions about people without masks. For people in high-risk groups, getting COVID-19 would be close to a death sentence, and there are many more in that category than in those she listed as unable to wear masks. For sure, no one really wants to wear a mask and there are people who can’t, but the quickest route out of the COVID-19 pandemic would be for everyone who can to wear masks.

The letter then went on to imply that anyone concerned about COVID-19 is being misled by “the media.” The World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association, and the American Hospital Association all recommend wearing masks to reduce the spread of COVID-19. These organizations represent thousands of highly educated and experienced medical professionals. For me, listening to what people like this say carries far more weight than anything any news broadcaster, talk radio host, or politician could possibly say.

KEN THACKER

Sagle