Wearing a mask shows respect
I was dismayed by the article on May 27 describing “judgment” and “ridicule” around the question of whether or not to wear a mask (“Conflicted: To wear or not to wear a mask?”).
So unnecessary! Let’s assume that we all, regardless of party preference, are basically good, caring people who want to do the right thing, and take a step back from the partisan politics. Under the current circumstances (which are, admittedly, uncertain, and still evolving), wearing a mask in public, especially inside shops, etc. is simply the nice, polite and possibly useful thing to do. It shows respect.
You are doing this to protect others, not yourself. Or to make others feel less anxious in your presence, because you don’t know what their situation is. Even if you are 99.9% sure you are not infected, there is always that small chance you might be, but asymptomatic. Or even if you are 100% clear, the other folks in the aisles have no way of knowing that. It’s just the decent thing to do.
It doesn’t signal weakness or an incursion on your rights. It just makes you a good citizen. You can get back in your car, or head off for your dog walk in the park, or whatever, and take off the mask. Yes, it’s a little bit uncomfortable, but, really?
If your child or spouse or grandparent were in the hospital, and in order to visit the staff required you to wear a mask, you’d go and have no problem wearing the mask.
Beth L. Weckmueller
Milwaukee