Patriotism and face masks: Letters to the editor, July 22, 2020

Be a true patriot, wear a mask

America has experienced over 140,000 deaths due to COVID-19 in just five months. Face masks have been proven to significantly slow the rate of infection with this disease. However, there are people out there who believe that they have a constitutional right not to wear a mask. Apparently they believe that the Constitution protects them from being forced to do things against their will to protect themselves and their fellow Americans.

Thankfully that is not true. You can’t drive 150 MPH on the highway, you can’t yell “fire” in a crowed building, and smokers can be restricted from areas where others could experience the negative effects of their smoke. Although this country acknowledges the rights of its citizens it can also, when necessary, abridge those freedoms when they interfere with the safety and health of the general public. So please, get over yourselves and act like a true patriot. Protect your fellow Americans. Wear a mask.

And for those who think that COVID-19 is just another flu, please consider this: The flu kills approximately 37,000 people per year. If the rate of COVID0-19 deaths continues there will be over 375,000 deaths during that same time period.

HUD’s Fresno policing plan

Thank you for alerting us to a local abuse of power and misappropriation of public funds. HUD, a public federal agency, is paying Fresno city police to guard HUD real estate. Officers trained, equipped and insured using public revenue. Public agencies are, well public. They are to be used equally by all. Does HUD get a fire truck?

This is really bad public policy. There are six community organizations opposed to the program, as well as residents in the area. So why is HUD proceeding? Why is the city charging only $200,000? Taxpayers are absorbing the cost of training, equipment and insurance. I stand with the critics.

Police need to enforce mask rules

What is it with our local so-called protectors of the peace and safety, specifically police chiefs and sheriffs who say they won’t enforce the mandate that people wear masks?

Is it OK to pick and choose what you want to enforce for the public good?

We know that reckless driving kills people. I would assume they’d take action if anyone of them and those under their charge observed such reckless behavior. Right?

Well, all credible experts say not wearing a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic is reckless behavior. Not doing all you can do to prevent such reckless behavior is costing lives. Lots of them.

Upwards of 200,000 lives will be lost to the virus by the end of the year, according to most credible reports. Those same experts insist tens of thousands of lives could be saved if everyone would follow sensible guidelines, like social distancing and wearing a mask.

By ignoring their sworn duties and their “I’ll enforce what I choose to enforce” mantra, local law enforcement officials, to put it simply, are killing people by allowing folks to continue their reckless behavior.

Save lives. Do your jobs.

This story was originally published July 22, 2020 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Patriotism and face masks: Letters to the editor, July 22, 2020."