Good afternoon,
I received one strong reaction to a recent column on the mountain of evidence that points to mask-wearing mandates reducing the number of coronavirus cases and, more importantly, visits to the hospital.
He made the usual arguments about mask requirements equating to tyranny and claimed I might be afraid to get out of the house or cross a busy street.
Some people do take things too far. That applies to both sides of this issue, which became so politicized during an election year.
It could be worse. In Australia, a nation with much freedom of expression, one can be fined $1,000 for not wearing a mask in public.
What would be considered a minor outbreak in this country led to Melbourne-area residents, like my sister, being confined to doing essential business in a small area? The restrictions are gradually being lifted.
The number of Covid-19 cases in Australia, a nation of 26 million, is only 4,000 greater than Delaware, which may have one million people within its borders on a good day in the summer.
The damage to the Aussie economy, while massive, is slightly lower than in the U.S., which continues to deal with a patchwork response to the virus. Australia’s isolation helps, but it is not the entire reason for the stark differences with the U.S.
I err on the side of caution but spent a couple of hours on Sunday watching the Green Bay Packers game at an establishment that does things the right way.
By the way, the Packers had to shelve plans for a limited number of fans at an upcoming game at Lambeau Field due to an outbreak of the virus. It’s a sad development but comes as ICU wards in portions in Wisconsin near capacity.
Yes, I will wear a mask. It makes me feel comfortable in most public places. When I see others getting careless or exercising what they view as their constitutional duty, it’s exit stage, right. – Doug Rainey, chief content officer.
