What leaders, readers say about masks
Dayton City Commission recently approved requiring people to wear masks or face coverings while in indoor public spaces or outdoors where they cannot socially distance.
Mayor Nan Whaley said the following:
“I know, including myself, that no one is excited about wearing a mask. I know that wearing a mask is uncomfortable. I know that unfortunately, wearing a mask has become a political flashpoint ... But I also know that masks save lives. Masks are incredibly effective at reducing the spread of this virus.”
Due to higher risk of coronavirus spread, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine last week announced new mask requirements in Butler, Montgomery and five other counties.
Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones responded during a press conference posted on Facebook:
“I am not the mask police. I am not going to enforce any mask wearing. That is not my responsibility, it is not my job. People should be able to make that choice for themselves … .
“I believe as the sheriff in Butler County, here in Ohio, the economy is starting to try to get back to where it was. You can’t go to restaurants. At one time, you were looked down on if you tried to go to church and the churches were closed. It’s totally out of control. It should be left up to the individual if they want to wear a mask. If someone’s sick, I can understand the mask wearing. But for all of us to have to have your temperature taken, to have to wear a mask. Where is it going to stop?”
Recently on Facebook, state Rep. Nino Vitale, R-Urbana, cited statements against mask wearing reportedly made by Denis Rancourt, a former University of Ottawa physics professor.
Vitale, who earlier this year said he refuses to wear a mask because he says his face is in the image of God, made the following observations:
“So, they are telling us, you can use anything as a mask. Why? Because it is not about safety, it is about compliance.
“Do people really think putting a cotton T-shirt over their faces will prevent the spread of a virus?”