Happy New Year! This COVID pandemic has been a tumultuous journey for many of us. There are thousands of infected persons and deaths that have been counted for globally, nationally, and locally. Although many of the temporarily closed businesses and activities have reopened, we are still operating in a mode of cautiousness, and some of us only go out for essentials. We have the rules of engagement for social distancing, wearing a mask, washing hands, using sanitizer and disinfectant, etc. We are experiencing media overload and getting a plethora of mixed messages to wear or not wear a mask. Individuals from different cultures, races, genders, social and economic backgrounds have formulated reasons and opinions despite what the scientific and medical community have indicated based on current research and the quest for a cure.

When faced with tragic events such as 911, we as Americans experienced a country that came together. We have been struck with COVID more than once, wearing the banner that “We are in this Together” to fight against this invisible enemy has now been infiltrated with other counter devices such as wearing masks and getting COVID vaccines. What is even sadder about this is that wearing or not wearing masks and COVID vaccines have become political scapegoats for the reds and blues to fight over. That is simply a sad situation and speaks poorly for this one nation under God.

Last year, I called a local company to schedule a home-related work estimate appointment. I asked the sales representative if they would be wearing masks. The response was, “ABSOLUTELY NOT.” Please note that I put the sales representative’s remarks in caps to emphasize the loudness and rudeness of the reaction. There are pros and cons to wearing masks from unqualified individuals and nonscientific and medical entities. Many reports have surfaced about the unruly behavior from those opposing masks and the vaccines.

I do not understand the divisiveness generated through our country concerning wearing masks and getting the vaccines to stay alive and healthy. Wearing masks and getting vaccines stops the spread of the COVID disease. Some folks may not contract the disease but are carriers. How can a mask and getting vaccinated be so bad to prevent others from wearing a mask? Wearing masks are protective measures to prevent the spread of COVID. We have to be concerned both about ourselves and others.

No one can force you to wear a mask, but please comply when you are in public or requested to wear a mask. Get vaccinated to mitigate the impact of COVID. Wearing masks or getting vaccinated should not be up for debate. It is not about whether the red or blue group wins. It is about staying alive and healthy. COVID does not discriminate and ironically is an equal opportunity agent infecting or killing anybody in its pathway.

In closing, “WEAR A MASK, GET VACCINATED OR RISK INFECTION AND OR DEATH. What is your choice? I choose life and well-being.

United we can stand, and divided we fall. Let us come together “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” to overcome the battle against COVID.