text: Masks - Another element of our cultural divide
  5/23/20:
  Wearing of masks are the latest in the cultural divide in this country. Although both Democrats and Republicans are wearing them, loyalties and values are contested. And, the divide is cleanly represented between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to wearing masks, staying home and going back to work
  Democrat Governors impose draconian rules to supposedly keep citizens safe, while citizens have to accept loss of freedoms and liberties that come with being an American. Republican governors who open up their states are subjected to abuse and accusations. Entreprenuers are jailed for trying to earn a living. Mask wearing seems insignificant in comparison, but it is not.
  As reported in the Independent, Kevin Krannawitter won't wear a mask because he just doesn't think it's necessary, whatever the scientists say. Marilyn Singleton won't wear one either — and she's a physician — because she says it's un-American for the government to force people to cover their faces. You won't see Ricardo Thornton in a mask because it reminds him of a time when he wasn't free to make his own decisions about his life.
  Studies compete for prominence in the for vs against masks debate.
  Americans will always do what's necessary. That has been proven through the generations. They will also rebel when TOLD to do things that they don't believe are in the public interest. That is today's debate. Those who wish to control the population, will insert penalties and even establish crimes for not complying with the rules. Those who feel that this is government overreach will not comply. Both sides have the right to do that within reason. Letting Americans know the situation and asking them to make mature decisions is always appropriate. If a store owner requires you wear a mask to come into her place of business, then you do. If not, then you don't. Your decision.
  Issuing tyrannical and dictatorial rules to compel people to comply is not going to work. Wearing masks and staying home reinforces a message of fear and dependence. President Trump got in trouble this week for not wearing masks at Task Force briefings and touring a Ford plant in Michigan. He is trying to send a message of hope & optimism, which is developed from a review of scientific opinion.
  But this is not about science. If it were, both sides would be listening. Today we have confusion and contradiction regarding the facts. A healthcare professional, for example, is only one expert opinion on the risks at play. Other experts, on the economy, addiction, crime, public policy and others, must be heard too in order to make balanced decisions for the country.
  We all know there are political forces at work here. Keeping the populations under control is the strategy of the left. Keeping freedom alive is the strategy of the right. There is one group of fear & compliance. There is another group of optimism and hope. And, therein lies the cultural debate. This is not science. This is politics. And politics is always open to debate.