I wear my mask whenever I am around others and away from home. It is an inconvenience, particularly in the cold weather, when it causes my glasses to fog up. I don’t wear it to make a statement but to protect myself and others. But some people find the mask and the obligation to wear it an invasion of their right to be independent. I find this curious, given how little wearing a mask interferes with life, or independence.
If those who have decided to take a stand against the mask and refuse to wear one — a refusal that endangers me and them — do so because it deprives them of independence, why aren’t they protesting stop signs and stop lights? Stop signs and stop lights really do interfere with everyday life, keeping us from getting from one place to another more quickly and costing us hours every year. But if we ignore stop signs and stop lights, auto accidents will increase, with increased personal injuries and even death.
Of course, that is exactly what happens when people don’t wear masks. But the measure of inconvenience to each of us is far greater in having to stop every time we encounter a stop sign or a stop light than in putting on mask. What is really going on?
If the anti-maskers have a complaint, let them voice it openly and not endanger themselves and the rest of us by converting that complaint into an irrational, dangerous and obstinate refusal to wear a mask. As Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said, “Don’t pretend (not wearing a mask) is about freedom, because real patriots serve and sacrifice for all, whether they agree with them or not.”
ANTHONY ROISMAN
Weathersfield
How can our soon-to-be-ex-president and his supporters deny that environmental and climate scientists’ earth-shaking predictions have come true in recent years? We’re seeing so many: stronger and more frequent hurricanes, droughts and wildfires, less snow, glaciers shrinking and sea levels going up. Worst of all, exponential increases in COVID-19 cases and deaths are rising week after week because way too many people deny the science and efficacy of masks.
Top Republicans keep testing positive after bald-faced mingling at White House affairs, political events and Trump’s unseemly campaign rallies to attempt a 2024 comeback. He is putting off the humiliation of conceding the election and joining the short list of presidents rejected for a second term.
Many Republicans in Congress still fear Trump, even as he fades out, and cannot bring themselves to declare that he really did lose the election and that the pandemic is getting even worse. Instead, they’ve ignored the obvious science: Wearing masks helps reduce the spread of the deadly airborne virus.
Imagine the Brits in World War II London: They wearied of the Germans’ airborne blitzkrieg, but they didn’t leave shelters because they were tired of them and go out and about. They also didn’t deny the danger of the bombs, call them fake and just try to resume their normal, pre-war lives.
Of course wearing masks and not socializing are annoying to us in 2020, but they work, they’re simple things that reduce the spread of COVID-19, and they will help our country get better. We need to persist.
Mask up and help kick COVID-19.
MICHAEL WHITMAN
Lyme
The transition is on. President Donald Trump’s appointees have been and are leaving in droves.
For where? Many back to their home states and businesses and professions. But in my experience, many, maybe a majority, will stay or try to stay in Washington. It is more interesting and exciting to be in the center of power — better than selling furniture in Michigan or real estate in Arkansas or Montana. So they’ll try to burrow into the career civil or diplomatic service, which they had so recently maligned, or become lobbyists or consultants — anything, just to remain.
Meanwhile, President-elect Joe Biden’s team is now selecting its top officials. Then, over the next year or so, it will make thousands of high- and mid-level appointments throughout the government. During much of this time, almost none of the Trump people, and few of Biden’s, will actually perform much in the jobs they occupy and are being paid for. Nevertheless, our government will function, and well. How?
Because of the skills, experience and dedication of the career civil servants and diplomats who serve the American people whichever party is in power — tens of thousands of them throughout the country and world, at all levels. Social Security checks continue to flow. Potential cures for diseases are funded. The highways, airports, and ports function. The Coast Guard is ready. Diplomats are checking that countries with which we have trade agreements are living up to their obligations. Humanitarian staff is hard at work with international partners in Africa and the Middle East.
In fact, again in my experience, many of these tasks are better performed by the careerists when they are in charge than they are when the political appointees arrive, take over, and begin to make their inevitable changes, which are often for the worse.
RAYMOND MALLEY
Hanover
The writer is a retired career senior diplomat of the U.S. Department of State and the Agency for International Development.
As a former practicing attorney and current law professor, I’m astonished by the piles of bull dung that members of the legal profession are heaping on the courts across the country in an effort to overturn the election. So far, thankfully, no judge has bought any of the baloney offered up by Rudy Giuliani and the other hired legal peashooters representing the Trump campaign in its post-election assault on our democracy.
If I were a judge and one of those Trump representatives appeared in my courtroom spewing nonsense about overturning an election due to a massive multi-state fraud conspiracy involving the Venezuelans, their privilege to practice law before me would be over before they slithered out the front door.
These lawyers should be ashamed of themselves. They are an embarrassment to the profession and should return to the chase for ambulances.
MARK LATHAM
Hartford
I am glad I voted Democratic, to get rid of one of the biggest liars and crooks I have ever witnessed in my 80 years.
If this is what the Republican leadership believes in — lying, corruption, what I believe is treason — I’m really glad I voted Democratic. Their idol, Donald Trump, is now sitting in his sandbox crying about losing the election. Now he knows how it feels to lose. Thousands of American citizens are dying from COVID-19 and Trump did not feel sorry for them. Now the shoe is on the other foot.
Thank you to all who voted to boot Trump out of office. I believe Democrats care about their fellow man, and the only things Republicans love are their guns and money.
ROBERT POLLARD
Enfield