TO MASK OR NOT TO MASK

To mask or not to mask? That is the question that permeates virtually every aspect of our society today. The advent of COVID-19, spawned in a Chinese laboratory, has brought this dilemma upon us.

The premise behind wearing a mask as a COVID deterrent is nebulous at best. No data exists to substantiate this claim. However, there is a certain psychological gratification in that you may feel that you are helping yourself avoid contracting the virus. This should be a simple choice for an individual who wishes to wear a mask or not. 

Oh, but if things could be so simple. Once the government gets involved, complications arise. Mask mandates abound. Nowhere is this more evident than in the public education system.The state of South Carolina has attached mask regulation to funds earmarked for public education. I consider this a strong-arm tactic. Individual school districts should decide whether to mask or not. After all, their ruling boards are elected by the people in their respective districts. The quarantine rules are at best ridiculous. If a student is exposed to a student who tested positive for the virus he is quarantined for two weeks regardless if he is vaccinated or not.  Is he being punished for being vaccinated? It would appear so. I feel that many of the seemingly mindless regulations are due to sometimes inept, inaccurate, and  untrue information spread by various governments and the ever-present news and social media.  

In my opinion school should be open as usual with certain precautions.

• regular screening of the school population 

• masks mandate (although there is no verifiable evidence that masks actually work)

• ONLY students testing positive for COVID quarantined

The education process needs to continue. Most students are already a year behind. Although home instruction via computer is helpful, it doesn't adequately replace classroom instruction for all students. Home schooling options would be still available for those who would like to provide this type of instruction for their children.

The probability of a child contracting COVID is  0.0004%.

Should we punish our children for this small probability. I don’t think so.  They are currently a year behind in a less than sterling education system.