To those who refuse to wear masks: With constitutional rights come responsibilities

Wearing a mask

It’s puzzling to read the viewpoints of those who believe that wearing face masks is an infringement of their constitutional rights. (“Face masks have become a divisive, partisan symbol,” June 28) I wonder if they have cherry-picked those portions of their civic education that they like and discarded the others.

For every right, there is a corresponding duty. Our right to free speech carries with it a duty not to incite violence or harm others. Those who choose not to wear a face mask during this pandemic risk harming others because no one can be certain that they are virus-free, even if they have been tested.

I have a right to express my opinion in this letter. I also have a duty not to harm others. Am I virus-free? I have no idea. That’s why I wear a mask.

Caroline Taylor, Pittsboro

Stirring up divides

Too much ink in the June 28 mask article was devoted to stirring up partisan divisions and too little to the positive news in the story. If “almost 70%” of us prefer to wear masks in stores all or most of the time, that may be almost enough, along with appropriate physical distancing, to help get this pandemic under control. Eighty percent would be better, but still – great news!

Social norms are trending toward mask wearing. Most of us are upholding our civic duty, showing care and concern for strangers and loved ones alike, and helping promote both our economic and public health.

Mary DeCoster, Efland

Rep. Keith Kidwell

Wearing masks reduces virus transmission. North Carolina could make faster progress on reopening if people will wear masks in public. These are both facts. People can push one or the other, but not both at the same time.

N.C. Rep. Keith Kidwell from Chocowinity said: “I will not wear a mask. I don’t care what the governor says.” (June 28) If he is interested in helping his constituents and other people in N.C., he should set a good example and encourage people to wear masks. If he cannot bear the idea of doing so himself, stay home.

Bill Hasse, Raleigh

Reopening bars

The Republican governor of Texas has now closed the bars there and said he regrets opening them too soon. We can be grateful that the good judgment of the N.C. governor has kept us from experiencing the dramatic increases in the virus and hospitalizations that Texans are experiencing.

Patti Gillenwater, Raleigh

US has failed

The world is wondering how the United States has failed so dramatically in its pandemic response. They are amazed at how something as fundamentally essential as wearing a mask has become a political issue. The answer is both simple and complex. We have no rational political leadership in either major party and the executive branch is unstable at best.

And the disgrace hits close to home. North Carolina is one of the states showing dangerous trends in virus spread, yet many of our young adults are not willing to be selfless enough to behave in a responsible manner and save themselves, their parents and grandparents from risk of illness and potential death. A day will come when many of them may be unable to forgive themselves for the damage done. I’ll have sympathy for them, but I’m not sure I will find the forgiveness.

Ed Holloway, Raleigh

Rename the virus?

Considering and comparing the obvious trend of coronavirus cases in the world, perhaps it is time to abandon nicknames referring to the Chinese origin of the pandemic and adopt others that more accurately describe the current situation. The Trump-Bolsonaro virus comes to mind. This would cement the soulmate bond existing among leaders who insist in minimizing the scope and consequences of this terrible disease and have become directly responsible for the exponential rise of infections in their respective countries.

Renato Chiavatti, Raleigh

Confederate statues

“Don’t destroy history!” is the rallying cry of those who’s like to see Confederate monuments stay where they are. Guess what? “History” is not in the statues. It is not told by the physical reminders of an embarrassing era. Send the offending statues to a museum with an explanation of how, when and why they were erected. History happened at the many historic sites found all over this country. Visit them. Paid staff and volunteers alike will be happy to walk you through both the glorious and the seamy sides of history.

Rondy Elliott, Durham

Freedom Park

Regarding “Freedom Park plan receives funding from state,” (June 27):

I hope I speak for millions of N.C. citizens when I say “thank you!” to a bipartisan legislature which saw logic and dignity in voting for the new Freedom Park. What a beautiful place for people of all cultures to celebrate justice and freedom. It’s about time.

Martha Glass, Cary