Apologize for George Floyd comment

The Black and Puerto Rican caucus is correct in condemning Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco for applying George Floyd’s dying words, “I can’t breathe!” to children wearing masks in school [Page 1, Sept. 29, “GOP lawmaker blasted for invoking George Floyd in mask debate”].

A man lying on the ground with a policeman’s knee on his neck is in a life-threatening situation. Children wearing masks to ward off COVID-19 are in a life-saving situation. There is no comparison.

The representative makes light of Floyd’s dying words and expresses racial insensitivity. Mastrofrancesco should make a public apology for this.

She also said “Our children can’t breathe. They can’t breathe in school with these masks on.” Rep. Mastrofrancesco has to think before she speaks. How many children have been hospitalized or died because they wore a mask? How many children have been hospitalized or died because they failed to wear a mask?

Our children can breathe thanks to masks. We must do all we can to protect our kids, their teachers and the school staff. No one has a right to spread disease. Until children can be safely vaccinated, we should teach them to be good citizens and mask up, just as adults must mask up to protect the children. It works.

Robert Buck, Farmington This letter was sent on behalf of the Retired Teachers Health Care Advocates.