Sue Lani Madsen: Don’t let your bias mask you from an important message

Let’s talk about media bias. Not mine. Yours.

Three weeks ago, this conservative columnist suggested it was divisive to publicly shame people for not masking up. Assume they have a medical reason, keep your distance and let it go lest we destroy our sense of community through public bickering.

The last thing we need in society right now is more excuses for division.

The reaction was unfortunately predictable. For not enthusiastically promoting mask-wearing and not condemning those legitimately questioning executive authority, clearly this columnist and therefore all conservatives are foolhardy, are anti-science, are uncaring and want people to die. And besides, people who say they have a medical reason are all lying.

Then there were the remarks stating firmly if someone is medically sensitive and can’t wear a mask they should stay home. No empathy. No consideration of individual circumstances or context. Just condemnation and totally missing the no-bullying message.

Reader bias gets in the way of communication as surely as media bias. A simple message to cut each other some slack while we’re all doing our best to cope was twisted into a partisan talking point faster than a goat bolting through a three-strand barbed wire fence. An old saying says if a fence can hold water, it can hold a goat. The goat can’t help its instincts.

If smugly dismissing conservative sources is your instinct, then your bias may be kicking in about now. Set aside the debates on mask effectiveness and the limits of executive emergency power for another day.

The public bickering is in full voice on social media.

A typical post from a mother who says she’s not an “anti-masker” but just trying to help her child navigate the new landscape described a common challenge.

“My son is on the autism spectrum and asthmatic,” she wrote. “He feels very anxious and panics if too long in one. He does not go out if he knows it will be too hard but he’s 11. Older folks with these issues may not have the option. Maybe they don’t affect your breathing but it can cause the feeling of it for sure.”

Or this from a close friend managing her own health, valuing her privacy and calculating the risks for each necessary encounter: “The mandate says that if you have a health issue that prevents you from wearing a mask, whether physical or mental, you are exempt. I shouldn’t have to reveal my health details to every ‘greeter’ in town. Imagine 20 years ago, putting a mandate out that if you had HIV (also a virus) you’d have to advertise that. The world has gone mad.”

The operator of a small but essential local business has copies of the governor’s “Overview of COVID-19 Statewide Face Covering Requirements” ready to hand to customers. She calls it confusing. It’s certainly self-contradictory.

The problem is not telling businesses they “should” educate customers, may offer disposable masks and are encouraged to offer alternative arrangements for service. The guidelines also warn businesses they “CANNOT inquire about the details of a persons’ specific medical condition and CANNOT ask for proof or documentation.” But the catch is they “should” also tell customers who do not have a medical condition or disability to leave the premises, with the potential to escalate to calling the police to report non-compliant customers as trespassers. And violators can incur fines from the Department of Labor & Industries.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health answers the question “Are businesses required to enforce the order for the public to wear face coverings?” with a firm “No. Businesses are not responsible to enforce the order.” DOH tells businesses that “they CAN refuse entry or service to customers who are not wearing face coverings” but does not say they have to refuse service.

L&I clearly didn’t get the same memo. Try to run a business while knowing anyone can file an anonymous complaint on the governor’s snitch line. All it takes is one busy body who sees someone without a mask to set a business up for L&I fines of $10,000 or more, according to the guidance document.

If bias makes it hard to hear a message to let it go from a conservative columnist, then take your advice from the Department of Health for what to do if you see someone without a mask.

“Should I say something if someone near me isn’t wearing a face covering?” a department Q&A asks. “No. Someone may have a medical reason for not wearing a face covering. Whether those around you are wearing face coverings or not, focus on keeping 6 feet of distance between you and washing your hands often.”

Check your bias and just let it go.