Letter to the Editor: Face masks and seat belts

"36 years ago, when we first moved to Decorah, the Iowa Legislature was considering legislation that mandated the use of seat belts in motor vehicles. There are similarities regarding the wearing of face masks in this time of pandemic.

In 1984, Decorah Newspapers published an editorial endorsing seat belt legislation. I was news editor, and we received letters to the editor opposing the mandate. A few people visited the news office to express their opposition in person.

Some opposed the mandate because, they said, it infringed on their rights, it impaired their ability to drive, and because seats belts caused more fatalities and injuries in automobile accidents than they prevented. But in general, there was no great opposition to wearing seats belts. It was the wise thing to do, and it saved lives.

Unfortunately, the somewhat similar face mask issue has become politicized in this volatile and divisive time. Unlike the face mask mandates, no city, county, state, or federal official claimed the seat belt issue was a "hoax," because there were no motor vehicle fatalities; "fake news," because statistics on injuries and fatalities were exaggerated; "false," because there was no proof that seat belts save lives.

Those claims would have been dismissed as blatant falsehoods – in 1984. But that was a less divisive time.

Now, in 2020, there are political and public officials who claim that COVID-19 and the face mask mandates that limit its contagion are a hoax, fake news, and false. These claims are falsehoods. The intent is to frighten and anger people in an already divided citizenry, made worse by the pandemic and economic challenges.

Every medical and public health official advises us to wear face masks. Face masks save lives. Be responsible, not political. Wear a face mask."