A new strain COVID-19 is reportedly working its way across the Lower 48 and will soon show up in Alaska, if it hasn’t already. But everywhere I go, I seldom see anyone wearing masks. I feel as if I’ve watched too many “Twilight Zones” on TV, in which one person is different than everyone else and begins to doubt his/her own sanity.”
Everyone is going get COVID eventually, so what’s the big fuss?” I hear people say. I walk into a roomful of unmasked people who look at me strangely. It’s almost as if I hear them thinking in a macabre way, “Come in, join us … you’ll be all right.”Both my wife and I are up in years. Since the pandemic began, we’ve been extraordinarily careful. We’ve been vaccinated, boosted, masked and socially spaced. I’ve almost made it a personal challenge not to get COVID, especially when learning about debilitating long-haul effects.
Under the worst-case scenario, I envisage all citizens being forced to get COVID so they can couple up with the “herd immunity” train. Like I said, I’ve watched too many “Twilight Zone” episodes.
— Frank E. Baker
Eagle River
Have something on your mind? Send to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Letters under 200 words have the best chance of being published. Writers should disclose any personal or professional connections with the subjects of their letters. Letters are edited for accuracy, clarity and length.