In late July, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended universal indoor masking. Some claim that a mandate to mask interferes with their freedom, but masking is what allows us to go about our business freely while minimizing how much we put others at risk.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott expressed concerns about a return to closings and travel rules. VtDigger quoted him: “We’re going to create more panic, more fear, and just more apprehension just by doing that.”
I believe that is a valid concern. However, a mask mandate would not cause anything more than inconvenience for people.
If people are more afraid of masks than they are of the virus, they have their priorities backward.
What creates panic, fear and apprehension for me is the virus. Today we have the highest number of COVID-19 cases ever.
Gov. Scott began this fight against COVID-19 with admirable caution and care for Vermont citizens. His decisions and actions doubtless saved many of our lives.
If it hadn’t been for the delta variant, we might have reduced COVID-19 to something like the flu by now. Instead, we’re quickly succumbing, and filling up the state’s ICU beds.
I know things like mask-wearing have become unpopular in some political circles, perhaps as a symbol of government overreach. However, when lives are at stake, it’s the duty of government to protect its citizens. What happened?
Gov. Scott should please resume his admirably cautious approach and lead Vermonters to get vaccinated, wear masks in public, and care for each other as our traditions demand.
MARGARET BAUM
Norwich