Experts tell us wearing masks is effective in limiting the spread of COVID-19, but there also is abundant evidence that shows wearing a mask for long periods is actually harmful and makes the wearer more likely to contract the virus and other illnesses.
And that’s not to mention the extensive adverse social and psychological effects.
But don’t tell that to Gov. Jim Justice, or state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey either. They’re having a public feud about the proper enforcement of Justice’s mask mandate and how severe the penalties should be for mountaineers who dare to flout it.
Should the scofflaws be tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail, or should the powers that (want to) be (more than they’re entitled to be) have the unmasked marauders drawn and quartered or burned at the stake?
“We’re a nation of laws,” Justice proclaims before trying to explain why he’s ignoring that fact. “I’m not trying to infringe on anyone,” he insists while doing just that, “but in this situation right now, this mask is the only thing I got. This is all I got to try to help stop this.”
“No one is having a dispute about whether we should wear masks and take all precautions possible to stop this deadly virus,” Morrisey responds.
So, Justice and Morrisey are basically on the same page, though disagreeing, perhaps, on the penalties for noncompliance. They want us to wear masks because that’s all they have. If all they had were clothespins and corks would we have to stick those on our noses and in our mouths? Would any West Virginian find that reasonable? Or would they protest, instead, and point out the obvious: That’s ridiculous and unconstitutional, and we’re not doing it.
Jim and Pat need to call an end to their feud and get back to doing their jobs: defending the rights of West Virginians.