Editorial: If not for yourself, wear face masks for others
By The Herald Editorial Board
As the Memorial Day weekend continues — with a good chance according to weather forecasts that at least it won’t rain — many of us will be headed out for long-awaited excursions outdoors: picnics at state parks, relaxing at beaches, hitting the trails; even the pickleball courts are open in Everett.
So, pack the sunscreen. And, yes, a face mask.
The sunscreen you can do for your own health. The face mask is out of concern for others.
Now two months into a stay-home orders adopted to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Washington state is rousing itself slowly from an economic hibernation that is being lifted in phases, with some counties emerging before others. Island County, for example, is among 10 counties that can now apply to join others approved for the second phase of the state’s economic reopening plan. Snohomish County, among counties where the disease has been most prevalent, will likely take a slower path to fully opening.
Yet, key to that path will be continued efforts to limit the virus’ opportunities to infect new victims and continue its spread as we venture out of our homes more frequently and increase our contact with others.
As with other recommendations that were made part of Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” orders — specifically business closures and other limitations — there’s been vocal pushback against the recommendations to wear masks and the decisions by some businesses, such as Costco, to require customers to wear masks when shopping.
We get it: The masks can be cumbersome. And hot. And can steam up eyeglasses.
But there are clear indications that they can limit the spread of disease, help save lives, and, thus, allow a quicker reopening of local and state economies.
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