I suspect many of those protesting the requirement to wear masks in public don’t have the same objection to the laws against driving under the influence — yet they have the same basis. Both prohibit activities that pose a significant risk of killing or hurting others.
Overwhelming empirical evidence shows that when all or most people wear masks, the spread of COVID-19 is substantially reduced. It is also well established that much of the propagation is from asymptomatic individuals.
Wearing masks is perhaps the only way to slow the spread of COVID-19 that does not negatively affect our reopening, and it does not violate anyone’s rights.
Dan McKnight
Salt Lake City