Common good outweighs right not to wear masks

Social distancing, face masks essential to maintain the health, well-being of our population

In 1968, an ecologist/geneticist named Garret Hardin wrote a controversial article in the journal Science titled “The Tragedy of the Commons.” The basic tenet of Hardin’s article is humans will exploit “The Commons” because it is their destiny to do so, without regard for the depletion or contamination of the earth’s basic resources such as air, water, land and energy. The article depicts heightened planetary entropy and a devolution into a dystopian future; all evident, but blatantly ignored by a hyperconsumptive human population. The bottom line is the “The Commons” must be respected and protected if humankind as we know it is to succeed. We are not the owners of the earth, but rather stewards who are charged with establishing and maintaining a balance in resource use and renewal.

So what does this have to do with wearing or not wearing masks? I’ll tell you.

Recent news clips and videos of recalcitrant customers at places like Costco, Walmart or gatherings to open the economy depict angry people asserting it is their right to do what they want. If there are rules about shopping with a mask established by a store, or edicts from the state government requiring social distancing and masks, those individuals reply: “freedom is my rule, not rules I disagree with imposed by a store or by a state. I am an American, and I am free.”

Well, yes, we all are Americans, and we are all free, but freedom must be conditioned with rules that guide and protect civility, honesty, safety, health, equity and the protection of “The Commons.” If you want to be completely free, go (to) the African savannah, live like Simba from “The Lion King” or Elsa from “Born Free.” Until Simba or Elsa eat you.

Freedom is a precious gift that millions of Americans have fought and died for since 1776. It is anchored in our Constitution, which provides inalienable rights, including the right to bear arms and the right of expression. What we know as the “Bill of Rights” are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. The first takes a wide sweep on freedoms, notably freedom of religion, speech, the press and the right to peaceably assemble and petition the government. The second focuses on the right to bear arms. The others ensure legal rights such as search and seizures, indictment, due process, double jeopardy, a fair and speedy trial and cruel and unusual punishment, etc.

Our freedoms are truly inalienable and must be maintained for all Americans. However, freedom must have rules or it will devolve into anarchy. Freedom must ensure the common good; it must ensure “The Commons.” The individuals who renounce rules regarding masks, social distancing or a sequestered economy endanger the health of the public, which is irrefutably an inalienable right, a common good and the beating heart of “The Commons.”

COVID-19 knows no political boundaries; it is not a Democrat or Republican and cares not for individual or collective freedoms. It is a virus whose sole purpose is to replicate. If we encourage replication by not wearing masks or social distance, the virus will continue to spread exponentially and kill exponentially. Believing it will not is like believing smoking doesn’t cause cancer or the sun revolves around the earth.

We are at a critical crossroads in COVID-19 control. To date our state has done very well in COVID-19 control thanks to clear and reasonable guidelines from our governor ... and our public health experts. But control at this point remains fragile, and the unscientific, personal beliefs of those who want to be “free” cannot jeopardize the health and well-being of our population. If these freedom seekers ignore the reasonable guidance our state has issued, they put themselves and all of us at unnecessary risk.

Simba and Elsa are still out there, and they are hungry.