Masks a symbol of commitment

As everyday activity in Seattle slowly resumes, all members of the city’s communities need to do their part to slow the rate of transmission of Covid-19. People are now required to cover their mouths and noses when they are likely to be in contact with others, including while riding public transit, visiting stores or restaurants, and in crowded outdoor spaces.

The directive comes at a time when modified stayhome, stay-safe restrictions are more likely to bring more people into close contact and the number of Covid-19 cases has plateaued.

Cloth masks may not be perfect, but they do reduce the danger of transmitting the coronavirus. They also have the benefit of being readily available — a homemade mask, scarf or bandanna will work in a pinch. N-95 masks still should be preserved for health workers.

Many people already make regular practice of this common-sense precaution. Last week’s announcement makes it mandatory from Monday. The directive does not apply to children aged 2 and younger, or to people with certain disabilities or medical conditions that would make mask-wearing difficult or unwise.

Officials said police would not enforce the directive and warned people not to discriminate against or make assumptions about anyone they see in public without a mask. That does not lessen the obligation to comply with the directive for those who are able to do so. Simply put, it’s the responsible thing to do.

To help, Seattle will distribute 45,000 free cloth face coverings to homeless people, low-income seniors, food bank staff and other vulnerable communities. This is a worthy investment of public funds.

Washington state is by no means out of danger. Cloth masks help reduce the risk and are a visual symbol of a communal commitment to public health. Seattle, May 17