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HomeMy WebLinkAboutin favor of wearing of masksDear Mayor and members of the Rexburg City Council, I understand that there is a meeting tonight concerning the wearing of face masks in Rexburg and want to express my thoughts on this important matter. I am writing to let you know of my strong support for the mandated wearing of masks in Rexburg. My husband and I are 74 years old and, of course, do not want to risk becoming sick with the Corona virus. We have heard much about the infringement of individual rights as a result of a mandate like this, but to me it seems akin to laws to stop at stop signs, to abide by speed limits, to not drive while intoxicated, to not use cell phones while driving, because abiding by these laws saves so many lives. The above laws may “infringe” on my rights to do anything I want to do or not do, but that is not the way a successful society works. We are all in this together and we have to take into account other people’s rights as well as our own when laws are made. Another law that I could have mentioned is the wearing of seat belts in saving lives, but it mostly saves the lives of those wearing them rather than also saving the lives of others. But it was made a law because many people were not using wisdom in something as simple as buckling a seat belt to possibly save their own lives. I do not understand what appears to be the attitude of “my rights above yours” in this matter of mask wearing. It makes me wonder if people do not realize that the wearing of masks protects others even more than themselves. The virus is transmitted often by people who do not know they have the virus or by those who have been exposed and have not yet shown symptoms. The wearing of masks shows thoughtful caring of other people. In a society where we believe in caring for and loving our neighbors, it seems a given that we would gladly embrace a law to wear masks. I am frankly surprised at the amount of people who do not wear masks in our area and perhaps some education with percentages of whom it protects would be helpful. Sincerely, Marybeth Jones