Thomas has it backward

Cal Thomas’ Aug. 10 column “DiSantis standing up to weenies” has it all backward. He writes about guarding our freedom, implying that DiSantis

is doing that. Amid surging COVID cases in Florida, DiSantis is doubling down on Florida’s ban on mask mandates. Understand what that is.

It is a government law that prevents businesses and schools from deciding their own mask policy. Yet Cal Thomas touts DiSantis as the guy supporting freedom?

How backward is that? And what about our freedom to breathe clean air? Imagine a classroom where the teachers smoke all day. We don’t want to breathe smoke, or asbestos, or pollution, or you guessed it, germs.

We face a virus that is spread through our breath when we talk, shout, cough and sneeze.

Masks have been proven to slow the spread of germs.

At least Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas had the courage and sense to recognize their statewide ban on mask mandates was premature. In hindsight he wishes it had not become law.

This Delta variant is dangerous.

There will always be a balance between freedom and responsibility.

”Liberties lost are difficult to regain,” Cal says. Stop it.

For all the drama about the idea that wearing a mask is a stepping stone to complete oppression, I think back to May. Before Delta.

As I became fully vaccinated, I again felt free to safely walk into a store without a mask. It was wonderful. I don’t think there will be a problem with Americans being able to make that distinction.

We want to be mask free. We also want to breathe clean air.

We go along to get along, as Cal Thomas says. That doesn’t make us weenies.

That’s what a society does to keep all of its citizens safe and healthy and alive.

Beth D’Arcy Euclid