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LETTERS Adding the human element to the argument against mask use

Editor:

With regards to Greg McNally’s letter July 17… Mr. McNally has factual, statistical and democratic correctness. What perhaps is missing is a humanistic/ humanizing perspective.

I work at Creedan Valley. My close co-worker has immunity health issues yet she has been there supporting our residents and her team throughout the stages of COVID-19. We are monitored daily, and have mandatory COVID-19 testing every 14 days (I’ve had better, less painful, regular procedures in my lifetime).

I do not consider being required to wear a mask an encroachment on my personal rights. We must wear them at work everyday. It keeps our co-workers and residents safe from any contact, we as individuals, may have had, with the world outside of home and Creedan. We all keep the “outside” to a minimum, but reality is, we periodically need groceries, prescriptions, etc…

I personally couldn’t give a drat what political mandates, stats, nor my personal democratic rights say. I do care to wear a mask to keep my residents and my health compromised family members as safe as I am personally able. If I were to be a asymptomatic carrier and bring COVID-19 into our long term care home or my family home, because I felt that not wearing a mask was my democratic right, I believe I may have troubles sleeping with myself… it’s not about me. It is however about those I come in contact with.

Politics have historically found no solid stand in right and wrong ethics, morals and actions... however, there is no grey area when it comes to our personal ability to assist with keeping others outside of ourselves safe. It’s about thinking outside of yourself and the facts. What is the humanizing action to take?

Wendy Eagle,

Creemore.

We do not have the right to infect others

Editor:

Recent letters sent to The Creemore Echo show varying public attitudes towards dealing with COVID-19.

We all know that some folks do not wear masks while mixing with the public and others do.

Social distancing is a new phrase supported by measured markings for line-up before entering a store. Much is new to all of us, which stimulates both protests and support dividing public attitude. All we need is authority to impose a “mask order mandate” on health grounds to spark words like, “hysteria” and “taking away democratic rights” adding confusion to younger generation who do not properly understand this serious situation.

I am in my nineties and served in WW2, over time I witnessed other wars both human and viral. Responsible governments have first tried to minimize the deadly results of any pandemic by issuing advice, then if not adhered to, regulation follows. The intent is the safe well being of the region or nation. Anything resulting in reduction of infection and possibledeath is desired.

We now know that wearing a mask is more to protect others than one's self. Likewise the sterilization of the hands before and after leaving an object that others will touch can help a lot. It means we have concern for the person following. If we all gave a little thought, we will get through this pandemic – “We are all in this together.”

Now we come to basic “democratic rights.” It is, they say, my democratic right not to wear a mask.” In all seriousness one is saying, “I demand the right to infect others.”

Ray Jackson,

Mulmur. Editor:

We wish to respond to the letter by Donna Baylis about masks infringing on our rights.

Masks are intended to prevent others from “catching” your germs—which you may have without any symptoms. So if you decide not to wear a mask, you put others at risk to your germs, and yourself at risk to catch COVID-19 from others who are also not wearing masks. In our little bit of God’s creation, we have beautiful properties and getaways, and thus a lot of people either with second homes here, or passing through as tourists, many from the GTA. The incidence of infections in those metropolitan areas is much greater than in this area, so we are putting ourselves and others at risk by not wearing a mask. The data is showing that more young people are becoming infected and may unknowingly transmit the virus to others. A good portion of our local population is over the age of 60 and may/do have additional risk factors

So is that your right? To infect others?

Our friend has a son who has lived in Taiwan for many years now. He also has a brother in law who is an epidemiologist in Canada. Taiwan has been a leader in prevention of COVID-19, in main because they took lessons and learned from the SARS epidemic. Because they are so close to China, they started preparing immediately for an epidemic. It was lifedestroying that the World Health Organization and other countries did not take their advice.

At the outset, Taiwan had everyone wear masks, not just in shops, but out on the streets as well. And people complied. Anyone who had travelled outside Taiwan, was subject to detailed screening at the airports, were told to isolate for 14 days, symptoms or not, and they were spot checked every day to ensure compliance. Taiwan is situated less than 100 miles from China, and more than 1 million Taiwanese work in China. There is frequent travel between the two countries. Wearing masks was the first line of attack that controlled thespread of COVID-19.

Dr. Gardner was advocating for masks in The Echo edition of May 29. “It is now recommended that people wear masks when interacting with others,” writes The Echo… “It’s important to know that the evidence shows that if they (masks) are helpful, they’re helpful in preventing transmission from the wearer to other people and not the other way around,” said Gardner. This is also the reason that surgical staff wear masks – to lessen the risk of passing the germs on to a compromised patient and they wear other PPE to protect themselves from being splashed or sprayed with other body fluids.

So, as an example, if you go into any store, without a mask, and you are picking up products to check them, and then maybe putting them back, or just touching items to check them along the way, you, without your mask, and others without theirs, are potentially breathing COVID-19 germs onto many different products. Is that your right?

Baylis’ letter cites a US senator/physician, however, cases in the U.S. are on the rise and out of control. So far Canada is managing much better. We are “looney” ourselves if we do not take all precautions possible. We must follow our health unit's instructions. Yes, they probably should have mandated masks for all into place a lot sooner, but our country had a shortfall of masks and gloves and gowns, all of which were desperately needed for hospital staff, nursing home care staff, and other first responders. We need to follow the current, mandatory, recommendations now, to stop the spread, and reduce the risk to everyone from a second wave of infections, like the USA is now seeing, If an individual feels that their rights are being infringed upon, and if following the law is too difficult to do, then an individual also has the right to stay home. One thing youdon’t have the right to dois put another person’s life in danger, whether it is by going through a stop sign or by not wearing a mask. We are talking possible life and death situations in this case, not just a bent fender. There are always consequences to “me, myself and I” behaviour.

How many lives does it take?

George and Lynne Dodd,

Glencairn.

In support of rebranding for Creemore Braves

Editor:

Christopher Dodd’s excellent essay in The Echo (July 17) calling for the name change for Creemore’s baseball team hopefully will lead to immediate action.

Perhaps the community could participate somehow in the choice of the new team name, and also help with the rebranding expense.

Sincerest congratulations to Christopher Dodd.

Peter Gordon,

Mulmur.

Editor’s note: We have posted on our website two letters from Greg McNally, including all citations. Find them at www.Creemore.com.

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