Masks: We all want same things, don’t we?

By JOE MORRIS

With the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases in Kootenai County, our state and the nation, it seems to me that there is a simple solution to stem the increase of the number of cases. Recent studies by the University of Washington and Arizona State University have shown that the more face masks are worn, the more deaths are prevented. One study predicted that if everyone wore a mask in the United States, 40,000 lives would be saved between now and November. If saving lives matters to you, wear a mask.

Recent antibody testing has shown that many more people have the virus. Some of these people who show no symptoms can infect their family and many people in their community. If they continue normal activities without wearing a mask, community spread of the virus increases.

Some people describe this virus as “just the flu.” During the 2018-2019 influenza season, the flu — for which we have a yearly vaccine — resulted in approximately 34,000 deaths. This virus, for which there is no vaccine, has already resulted in over 140,000 deaths in the United States.

The recent numbers of COVID-19 patients provided by Kootenai Health are of great concern. Medical personnel are putting their lives in more danger recently because of the increased numbers of hospitalized patients with the virus. Many medical personnel are required to wear a mask for their 12-hour shifts. If you think it is an assault on your rights and a burden to wear a mask when shopping for an hour, think of those who are working hard to save lives. We express our gratitude and appreciation for first responders, doctors, nurses, everyone in health care and essential workers. If we truly mean what we say, we would all wear a mask.

Discussing this issue is best done in a respectful manner. It is not by shouting down a physician who in his 40-plus year career in Kootenai County has done as much as any individual in providing care for patients and improving health care in our community.

Opening schools without endangering the lives of students, teachers, and other school personnel, and our economy and jobs returning to more normal times, both are completely dependent on flattening the curve and beating the virus. If we want our kids and teachers to begin some semblance of a normal school year and our economy to recover, wear a mask.

Wearing a face mask is not a decision to be based on your political beliefs. It is based on recent scientific studies that demonstrate the spread of the COVID-19 virus is reduced when people wear masks.

If you think life is precious, you think that schools should safely reopen, you want the economy to return to normal, and that we mean it when we express our gratitude to essential workers, then just do your small part and wear a mask. It is our responsibility when we are part of a community.

P.S. Congratulations to the Panhandle Health District Board for passing a mask mandate for Kootenai County. Thank you for following science and the recommendations of experts. Your decision will save lives in North Idaho.

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Joe Morris is the longtime former CEO of Kootenai Medical Center.