Mask mandates sparked by fear, not science

By Letter to the Editor on July 7, 2021.

Editor:
Re: Saturday, July 3, 2021, “Wearing a mask a choice to be respected” by the Lethbridge Herald Editorial Board
In this editorial, you state: “Mandated masks have caused enormous conflict between those who believe in science and those who feel their freedoms were trounced upon by government.”
It would be eminently useful to know what particular “science” your are referring to, especially considering that the real science patently does not support mask-wearing by healthy persons against COVID-19.
For confirmation of this you may refer to a recent review of the scientific literature on the matter by the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health – which is but one of many studies undertaken that confirm the same.
As well, to set up the ludicrous false dichotomy – “those who believe in science” against “those who feel their freedoms were trounced upon by government” – would be laughable if it weren’t such an egregious falsehood.
Practically the only thing that drives people to wear masks during this COVID situation is far from their having a solid understanding of the science; rather, it is from fear, a fear stoked incessantly and perniciously by governments, public health officials, and mainstream media outlets.
Russel Baiton
Lethbridge