Masks are a basic kindness

My mother told me many wise things when I was young, but two come to mind: “Goodness is its own reward” and “Think about how your actions impact other people.” Both apply to mask wearing.

Wearing a mask reduces transmission of COVID-19; if it didn’t, doctors wouldn’t need to wear one. Does one really need a mandate from the state to put one on when they are in public? Wearing one is simply the right thing to do by others. Does anyone think the store clerk, bus driver or waiter “likes” wearing a mask all day while working?

Have we really become such a selfish, uncaring society that we can’t put a mask on our face to go to a store? Think of other people, those who’d like to fully open their businesses, those who are immunocompromised. Come on! Do the right thing because it is the right thing and the reward is less disease, fewer people sick or dying and moving to phase III and then IV.

Christine Carlile

Spokane