Remember when seat belts were made law?
It was 1968 for new cars.
Over the next 20 years, states made it mandatory for all.
There were loud cries of “personal freedoms being taken away” and there was resistance from those holding the attitude “no one’s going to tell me what I have to do.”
But most Americans realized that this change to limit our freedom of choice was for the good of all.
Society has benefited.
Now, the protests of those opposed seem like overreaction.
Today we are told to wear masks for the good of all.
Scientists and health professionals have been heard by our state and local governments, and mandates are now in most states for all to wear masks in public.
If we had started earlier, or if our elected officials had set the example, maybe our country would not now be leading the world in cases of COVID-19.
No one likes wearing a mask.
It is uncomfortable and annoying, just like wearing seat belts.
Often hostile reactions to wearing or not wearing of the mask by those of the opposing behavior are displayed.
Are we showing the world how divided we, the citizens of the land of the free and the home of the brave, have become?
Is this the way we want to lead the world?
We can be better than this.
Please just wear the mask and be considerate, just as you wear a seat belt.
Sharon Case
Sequim