No longer sold on mask mandates

A day doesn't go by without someone clamoring in The Oklahoman for government mandates to mask us

all against the COVID-19 virus. Speaking as one who wore masks voluntarily in the spring, long before government mask recommendations, I no longer concur with the groupthink that believes widespread mask wearing will save humanity from this scourge.

I have come to this conclusion after looking at the COVID death and infection data around the world over the last few months. I'll focus on two locations, the first being Sweden, which initially had lots of death in the spring, much like our Northeastern states. In the past two months, their infection and death rates have dropped precipitously where now they're averaging only one to two deaths a day compared with Oklahoma's current average of about 10. This in a country whose population is 2 1/2 times bigger then Oklahoma. What makes this particularly interesting is they did it with no masks or lockdowns.

Contrast that with what's going on in Hawaii, a naturally isolated state that embraced early lockdowns, mandatory mask wearing and quarantines. They had huge success with these policies until about five weeks ago when suddenly their infection and death rates climbed to levels exceeding the ones we're experiencing here in Oklahoma. It doesn't appear mask wearing is having any positive impact on stemming the spike.

Our elected leaders should consider this before issuing any more mask mandates. Hank Duncan, Yukon