SHOPPING: Mask up, leaders

On April 16, the Mayor of Los Angeles decreed that anyone going into a grocery store must wear a face mask. There is nothing wrong with that everywhere in Kootenai County. I went out yesterday from my hibernation to buy a few products and was astonished at how many people were going into Safeway stores as well as Fred Meyer with no gloves, no face mask, little concern of social distancing, and probably not too concerned with the community as a whole.

As a community we must be aware of the COVID-19 and the fact it has a few new cases everyday here in Kootenai County. As of Thursday morning, we had 52 tested positive. Social distancing does work and we are just not doing it.

I would like to see more proactive actions from our Mayors and City Councils as well as County Commissioners in requiring better protections for all who enter a grocery store.

I know we in Idaho are proudly protective and fierce about our rights, but common sense is part of the equation of living together and staying alive.

JAMES CROWE

Coeur d’Alene