FAILURE TO MASK UP

 Because these are musings, they may not be in some logical order, more on the line of random thoughts.  The "argument" that government, be it local or federal,  shouldn't step in but allow people to, on their own, do the right thing, fails to acknowledge that a large percentage of people will not do the "right" thing, no matter what.  

For instance, we have a mandatory seat-belt law.  Many people choose to ignore it.  I know of two, so far, who died in a one car accident because they ignored it.  The catholic church forbids artificial birth control.  I saw a survey which indicated 96% of the faithful ignored this stricture.  In these cases, following or not following only affects the person(s) involved.  It was their responsibility and the consequences fell upon them.

Not so with the mask mandate.  While some cases can point to maybe one person (the wedding in Maine being an example), non-mask wearers get off scot free when it comes to consequences.  Because so many are "symptom free" they can be spreading the disease willy-nilly without anyone being the wiser.  Or, even worse, have symptoms but go about their business and not tell anyone.  The recent episode of the Texas A&M Band members is high on my list.  

So when someone tells me it should be a personal responsibility, my response is "How's that working out?"  It's only a matter of time.  I'm hoping for more and better therapeutics.  A vaccine is good, but I'm thinking a mask and distance will be around for at least another year indoors.  Outdoors I'm hoping we can finally get in some group rides, and will continue to eat outdoors whenever possible.  But if you tell me you don't do masks, don't expect my respect.

One more tangential thought.  I see the county judge in El Paso has been overruled by the state appeals court.  It's interesting that when our governor ignores federal mandates, it's because of State's Rights, but if a local ignores a state mandate, there is no local right.  Just sayin'