ViewPoint | Masks and inconvenient freedom

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator


Like most everyone else, I’m tired of wearing a mask.

Every time I go to the grocery, a restaurant, church, or work I have to put on a mask. Not long ago, if we wore a mask into a bank or convenience store, the attendants would be alarmed and call 911. Today, if we don’t wear one, we are in trouble and not welcomed.

A lot of people have died from Covid-19 and thus I understand masks are important in this pandemic era. I don’t want a disease. I have had two Pfizer shots and I wear a mask most every place I go.

Is it our American, God given right to take off our masks?

While we are free to take off our masks, others are free to ask us to put them on. The business owner has the freedom to require a mask. The airlines have the freedom to require masks. The religious assembly has the freedom to require you to wear a mask. People with whom you socialize may ask that you wear a mask. Of course, you are free to not patronize those businesses, forsake religious assembly and not hang out with certain people.

You are free to go maskless if you want to. However, you aren’t free to be in someone else’s face without a mask if they don’t want you there without one.

There are many places where you aren’t allowed to smoke. There are some businesses that will not allow your pet. They have the freedom to refuse you service and you have the freedom to go somewhere else. This is America.

We’ve all been to the funeral home around sick people. A dear friend of mine eulogized a funeral in late November. Two people were in attendance who had Covid-19. He caught the virus and was dead by mid-December.

He spent his last two weeks of life isolated in intensive care. He meant well in trying to help out a family in their time of grief. It cost him his life. He had been very active and healthy.

I’ve spoken in churches and to groups where people would come up and shake my hand and then say, "Well, I’ve been sick, but I came anyway". They acted like they should have received a trophy for coming and contaminating everyone. In reality, their actions were inconsiderate of everyone else’s health.

State governments may remove mask mandates. However, keep in mind that business owners still have the right to require masks. Churches still have the right to require masks. You don’t have to let anyone in your home without a mask if you choose.

We have freedom in America to make choices - all of us.

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Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of American Issues, Every American Has An Opinion and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

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This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.


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Photo Gallery | Rockets best Spartans in homecoming showdown

Unity senior Jonah Sullivan stands with his parents for photos during Friday Senior Night recognition at Hicks Field.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Rocket lineman Michael Jancola hugs his mother during the senior recognition festivities before the start of Unity's homecoming football game against St. Joseph-Ogden.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Keaton Nolan is wrapped up by Unity's Grant Albaugh and Austin Langendorf during first quarter action of their Illini Prairie Conference matchup on April 9. The Rockets defense held SJO scoreless the first half on its way to a 48-16 homecoming victory.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Unity's Logan Jones dives into the end zone to bump his team first half lead to 27-0 over the Spartans in the second quarter.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Enjoying a beautiful spring evening of high school football, Rocket student fans stand along the fence in the west end zone cheering their team on to victory.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

A member of the Rockets Dance Team performs with the troupe during halftime while the Unity football retired to the locker room at the intermission with a 28-0 lead over the visiting Spartans.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Chased down the field by Unity defensive back Logan Jones, St. Joseph-Ogden's Jackson Rydell celebrates the first touchdown of he game for the Spartans. SJO would score one more time and tack on a safety in the second half but it wasn't enough to overcome the four TD deficit earned earlier in the contest.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
With 6:41 to play in the third quarter, 6'4", 271-pound running back Lane Innes head for the end zone for a Unity touchdown in the third quarter. The score widen Unity's lead over SJO, 41-6.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks



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