You can wear a mask without a government mandate

If the vaccines work, why do you need masks?

If the masks work, why do you need me to wear one?

The answers to these questions are complicated, sure.

But how about this one: If you are vaccinated and wearing a mask, why do you need me to?

We have been told the mask works, but that is questionable.

We hear that kids must wear them or they will all die, which is untrue and silly.

We have been told that the mask is better than a vaccine, which is insane.

We now have cities acting on the discredited advice of Dr. Anthony Fauci to have employees double-masking.

What isn’t complicated is some Americans’ thirst for forcing our neighbors to do what they want them to do.

Axios/Ipsos poll: Overall 69% of Americans support mandatory masking in school, with 44% of Republicans and 92% of Democrats supporting.

This is definitely another one of those 'Twitter isn't real life' data points. pic.twitter.com/moEMN1Ekch

— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) August 17, 2021

This pandemic is a perfect example of what people will do if given the power to do so. They will do a lot and clamor for more power.

This will not end with mask mandates. Support for vaccine mandates will grow.

If COVID-19 went away tomorrow, would the masks?

Will we not see TV-loving doctors demand that RSV or the flu are deadly for some children so we need to keep the masking going?

If it saves one life, it is worth it, they will tell us.

The answer to this should be a resounding “No.”

We know what the coronavirus pandemic can do. We know how to protect ourselves and our families from it.

If you choose not to get vaccinated, that is on you.

Some argue the unvaccinated should be denied health care. This should stop. There are plenty of illnesses that we partially bring on ourselves knowingly:

• Heart disease
• Lung disease
• HIV/AIDS
• STDs

We will treat those people. It should be done with compassion, and this should be no different. But what if an Alabama doctor said he wouldn’t treat gay AIDS patients?

Governor Kay Ivey is making it clear that Alabama will not see more mask mandates.

She is 100% right.

This is not the beginning of the pandemic. we know more and should do what we can to deal with this issue.

Get vaccinated.

That is how you best protect yourself and yours.

Mask up if you want to and go on about your life, but don’t demand the same from others.

The masks in schools are not going to stop any outbreaks. Stop pretending you believe otherwise.

Tell your kids to mask up. They are your kids, after all.

Advocate that people get vaccinated, as I have repeatedly. This is the only way out.

Stop demanding that people live their lives the way you want them to. It’s not going to happen, and your efforts show an authoritarian zeal that only turns off those you want and need to reach the most.

Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9AM weekdays on WVNN and on Talk 99.5 from 10AM to noon.