Donna Etchey

I was talking to a friend the other day who works in a local retail establishment. She told me that when some people walk into their business and they are asked to put a mask on, the employees are getting yelled at on a daily basis from people who refuse to wear a mask.

A reminder: On July 7, Gov. Jay Inslee issued an order mandating businesses to require people to wear a mask when visiting businesses in Washington state. 

But restaurants and other service-based businesses in some states have reclosed their lobbies because of abuse their employees have received from those opposing the idea of wearing a mask in public. They are a very vocal minority, but seem intent on challenging the idea any chance they get.

The big question is this: Why is wearing a mask such a polarizing act? Masks help slow the spread of most communicable diseases, not just COVID-19, and as we’re still living in a pandemic situation, they’re recommended by healthcare providers. 

We didn’t see this sort of opposition to recommendations made to frequently wash our hands. Yet, orders to wear masks in public, designed to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, are being seen by some as an infringement of their rights and freedom.

This pandemic is a temporary event. As such, wearing a mask in public places isn’t going to be a permanent mandate. The claim that such requirements infringe on individual liberties is also very suspect. A person can’t have a 30-foot bonfire in their backyard and not expect a visit from police and firefighters because the risk to other people’s property is too great. Likewise, people aren’t supposed to drive beyond posted speed limits for similar reasons — the risk to both their safety and the safety of others becomes greater the further the speedometer climbs beyond that limit.

Earlier this week, County Health Officer Tom Locke said it best: “There’s no constitutional right to spread infectious diseases to other people.” 

A mask isn’t a big deal and wearing one isn’t part of some grand conspiracy to control the population. It’s part of an effort to reduce infections from a disease the nation has had a very poor response to controlling.

The day will come where this will be all behind us, but for now, put the mask on.

(Donna Etchey is the publisher of The Port Townsend and Jefferson County Leader. She can be reached at detchey@ptleader.com)