By Nan Christianson, Hamilton
Yet again, Montana gives me good reason to be proud.
We watched in disbelief, and some in horror, as the Covid-19 virus marched its way around the world. Our Governor wisely placed then began methodically lifting restrictions on our social and business interactions to give us time to prepare as best as communities can, for what might come. Our medical providers and public health officials continue to provide stellar leadership helping us comprehend how we can live our lives while taking prudent steps to reduce the risk of individual or community-level infections. Our business owners continue to deal with the harsh impacts of temporary closures and pro-longed limitations to help protect their employees and their communities.
Most Montanans accepted these temporary limitations and our collective efforts paid off. We successfully kept our infection rates low for several months.
But that’s changing. Quickly. And for the worse.
I want to avoid another round of mandated business and social restrictions. I want to avoid a directive requiring masks in public places. Most of all, I want to avoid expanding infections that harm my friends and family, endanger my community’s medical providers and frontline workers, and leave lasting impacts on the Valley’s individual businesses and overall economy.
Simple as they seem, correctly worn face masks are one of the most effective ways to curb, but not eliminate, the spread of Covid-19. Wearing a mask when in enclosed or crowded spaces continues our tradition of helping our neighbors since wearing a mask provides greater protection for those around the mask wearer than for the masked Montanan him/herself. Many of us do this as a matter of course, and others might take up a mask with a bit of encouragement.
While we welcome out-of-state visitors for all they bring to our community and our economy, how can we effectively invite them to ‘be a good neighbor’ while here by simply wearing a mask?
Bottom Line: Let’s prove we don’t need government mandated limitations and requirements. Let’s avoid increased infection rates, that coldly clinical term for what are actually very personal hardships and losses. Instead, let’s have some appropriately social-distanced fun, inviting visitors and residents alike to rally around ‘We’ve Got It Covered’, ‘Mask-Up, Bitterroot’, ‘Hamilton Strong, and Masked’, or ‘Masks – Take One for the Economy’.
It’s just another way we can demonstrate our ability to meet a potential crisis like a Montanan. Head-on, strategically thoughtful, and in a good-humored, neighborly fashion.