Wearing a mask indoors in public is not only the right thing to do, I consider it the patriotic thing to do to fight this pandemic. I find it outrageous and selfish that some people think that it is either stupid or cowardly to take precautionary measures (particularly Mr. Nicholas Danger’s recent letter to the editor) regarding the coronavirus.
My parents lived through the Great Depression and World War II and made sacrifices for many years. They had to deal with gasoline rationing and shortages of commodities like rubber and strategic metals for the war effort. They grew their own vegetables. My father’s brother fought in the war and was killed in Formosa (present-day Taiwan) to defeat the enemy and to preserve our freedoms.
In comparison with what Americans experienced in World War II, it isn’t much of a sacrifice to wear a mask to prevent the spread of this disease. Haven’t you heard that we’re in the midst of a pandemic? Millions of Americans have been infected and tens of thousands have died. Some of us are senior citizens and yes, we are fearful of catching the virus, because there is a higher risk that it might kill us. You may want to play Russian roulette, but I sure as hell don’t want to! I’m not a coward, I’m just taking prudent measures to prevent the spread of this virus, and I go out in public every day.
Mayor Ethan Berkowitz is doing the right things to protect public health. It’s not only the right thing to do, it’s our patriotic duty to do so. As John F. Kennedy said in 1961, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” Wear a mask indoors in public.
Kurt Egelhofer
Anchorage
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