By Nancy Dezell, RN, MSN, United States Air Force, Ret, Hamilton
After devoting 37+ years of my life to the health care of others and being a cancer survivor, I totally respect the rights of people not to wear a face mask if they are not afraid of becoming infected with the virus themselves, especially knowing there was conflicting information given by “experts” (CDC, WHO) early on. But now, recent studies from the front lines of the COVID pandemic strongly support wearing a face mask to protect our friends, neighbors, and our vulnerable community members, because people are spreading COVID-19 without knowing it. I wear a mask in public because I want to protect others in case I have it. It is a simple thing to do and I would feel horrible if I passed COVID onto someone else and they (or a loved one) became critically ill or died.
Our Montana community is experiencing an alarming rate of COVID infections in all age groups. Other countries, 20+ states and now Montana have made it mandatory to wear face masks in public places. Several states are closing businesses again due to the escalating spread of the virus. Medical people wear face masks, whether they want to or not, to protect both their patients and themselves. It is a simple way to help protect our community, keep businesses open, and not overwhelm our healthcare systems.
I liken wearing of face masks to vaccines required for school children, seatbelt requirements, or smoking banned in public places to protect the health of our community. Many of us may not like these safety measures either but comply to help protect the most vulnerable in our community. Wearing face masks is not meant to be a divisive “political thing”…it is about doing the right thing to help save lives. If we all do the right thing, it doesn’t have to remain mandatory or push leaders to have to shutter our businesses again.
We got this Montana! Together we can beat this and make a positive difference!