Masks

We have known for months that masks reduce the spread of COVID-19. That theoretical knowledge is supported by empirical evidence from nations like South Korea, where masks in public are almost universal.Yet here in the United States, we have some people with some aversion to masks, with some laughable reasons to not wear them. Here is a sampling:

- "Masks are hot." Yes, they do make a person feel warmer. But think about that the next time you want to tell a mother to put a blanket over her baby's head while breastfeeding.

- "Masks make it hard to breathe." Yes, imagine how difficult breathing is in the surgical suite for all the doctors, nurses, and techs when you get wheeled in for your knee replacement or heart bypass or hernia repair. They wear masks for hours at a time in order to protect you, all the while performing intricate tasks, often under extreme pressure.

- "Masks interfere with God's Breath of Life." My theology speaks of a God who can give life even when we do everything to reject that gift, can be present everywhere even when we "kick God out of schools," whose Grace is present even before we are aware of it. If God gave us the intellect to figure out how to protect ourselves and those around us from a virus, then I'm sure God can deal with the Breath of Life concern.

- "Freedom." Well, there's much to be said about this attitude. But let's focus on the notions of freedom held by the Founders of our nation, especially as they are documented in the Declaration of Independence. Many think of the Declaration of Independence as some libertarian catechism. But the first specification in the indictment against King George III is this: "He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good." That's not exactly a cry for individual freedom! That several of our states (Pennsylvania, Virginia, and others) are called "Commonwealth" is the acknowledgement that there are circumstances where the "public good" outweighs the desires of the individual.

So, just wear a mask. Yes it's hot, inconvenient, slightly uncomfortable. But don't do it for yourself, do it for those you encounter in public.