Letter to the Editor: "Mask UP, space OUT"

(The following Letter to the Editor has been submitted by Andy Johnson of Decorah):

"For community's sake, mask up and space out.

Want to see downtown businesses survive? Want your kids to go back to school in the fall? Just do it.

Because masks are imperfect, and distancing is imperfect, but both work, and together they work really, really, well.

Because masks aren't about you, or about politics, or government, or freedom.

They're about KEEPING THE CURVE FLAT AND LOW, so our community can come back to life, and to live with care and caution but hopefully without more lockdowns.

Yes, we've managed to flatten the curve, and in fact to largely avoid COVID-19 in Decorah and Winneshiek County SO FAR.

But it won't stay that way no matter what we do. All around the world and the country, COVID-19 hits and spreads (mostly) in densely populated urban areas first, then gradually seeps throughout the rural areas.

But it WILL seep. The virus is like water, it'll find its way into every nook and cranny of the country.

And it'll do it over and over again. Multiple waves are inevitable over the coming year before effective treatment, or herd immunity, or a vaccine that's actually available everywhere.

Which seems daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Because with caution and care and community spirit and leadership, we can keep the curve very flat, and very low. IF EVERYONE pitches in.

Or, we can be careless, and let the waves roll through, and suffer the consequences: more rounds of business closures, less likelihood of school opening physically in the fall, unnecessary deaths, and so on.

So yes, mask up and space out, EVERYONE. Please!

And speak up, and lead by example. Know folks unhappy about masks? Reach out to them, spread the MASK UP message on social. Mask selfies anyone?

Businesses, schools, and your community are counting on you to mask up, space out, and speak up."