To the editor:

A Twin River billboard on I-195 captures the irony of the age. “Let’s all come together. Stay home. Stay safe.” How do we come together when we are practicing self-isolation?

My answer to that is I wear a mask whenever I am out exercising or running essential errands. 

We are all learning as we go along and masks have their share of controversy from only necessary for those on the front lines to mandatory for everyone. And masks are a nuisance. You have to remember them, wear them, and wash them. They are yet another encumbrance in our already encumbered world. Furthermore, the average non-medical mask doesn’t do us a whole lot of good if we are to believe the experts (which probably better than believing the non-experts.)

So why do I welcome the opportunity to wear a mask? Because while it may not do me a lot of good it does a whole lot of good for you.  It essentially removes me a Covid 19 source because it captures potentially infected aerosolized droplets from me that could make you sick.

Do I have Covid 19? I don’t know and neither to you.  But by wearing a mask I reduce the chance as an unwitting asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic carrier from passing it on to you.

So when I am out and about I am wearing a mask to make a statement but it not a political one. In lieu of a handshake or a hug I am saying, “I CARE ABOUT YOU.” It’s my way of coming together with you and satisfying my need for connection in this time of social isolation.

Geoffrey Berg

Warren