Latest letters to the editor from Citrus Heights residents present varying perspectives in favor and against mandatory masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gestapo mask rule has no real exceptions
[RE: CHPD: Stores can arrest customers for trespassing if they don’t follow mask rules; July 5th] You have a statement that is a little misleading: “The police chief also cautioned that exemptions to the order exist, noting that businesses and others ‘should take care when dealing with a person who may have a legitimate need to not wear a face-covering or mask.'”
I have a breathing problem that stops me from wearing a mask. If I don’t wear a mask I would be stopped at the door or prevented from shopping for groceries. I don’t have some button or pin that shows that I can’t wear a mask — so I wear a mask and hurry through the store as fast as I can.
Friday, with so many people all in the store at the same time, caused me to be in a mask for almost an hour. I don’t have the virus, and even if I did the mask doesn’t stop it.
In that hour, I almost passed out. But no one — absolutely NO ONE — cares. If they see you without a mask you are automatically the bad guy: someone trying to do them harm. So please, don’t tell people that there is any exceptions to Gestapo Mask rule. With the governor, there is no exceptions.
–Jim Monteton, Citrus Heights
Mask mandate should be enforced
I agree there should be enforcement of mask wearing. It is a public health issue and wearing a mask does not protect the wearer, but protects others in the vicinity of the mask wearer. Don’t tell me about your rights not to wear a mask. I have a right to be in public where transfer of the virus is minimized.
It is a duty, just as you have to pay taxes or have a drivers license. You can be arrested if you drive after imbibing in too much alcohol. We all have the right to be safe in public places. What you do in your own home is up to you.
Also, if you wear a mask, cover your nose. Otherwise the mask means nothing. It might be uncomfortable, but not as uncomfortable as having COVID virus. There can be long term adversities after initial recovery.
-Patricia Lueckert, Citrus Heights
Hypocrisy among mask advocates
[RE: Guest Opinion: Citrus Heights should fine people for not wearing masks inside businesses; July 5th] Did you ever notice the person that first says it has nothing to do with politics is the first to bring politics into the argument? I’ve read the last two guest columns where the author bloviates and then tries to use the word “science” without any facts like it’s a magical being.
Then he tries to force his beliefs onto someone not employed by him nor related to him. How did that work out for you? Now he wants the police to force his beliefs onto others…
The author didn’t want to take personal responsibility and stay home, or use curbside pickup. No, he insists to force his beliefs onto others. He insists others to take his health into consideration when he doesn’t himself.
Granted, I do not condone, in fact I abhor browbeating workers trying to enforce a policy established by corporate, the poor worker bee had nothing to do with it but their job is on the line.
Then he tries to find some judicial rulings that were decided over a hundred years ago. Court cases are a crap shoot, if SacRT can’t enforce homeless not to ride because they are covered in feces, and stores can’t enforce a dress code where pants are under someone’s buttocks, I doubt that an ambiguous order of a mask will stand a chance. I mean any lawyer would eat that alive, what size, thickness, certification, etc. Let alone ruling that a private citizen must wear something not provided by the state. What accommodations are made for the poor?
Lastly you look at what the author does for a living, he’s a lobbyist. Now you know where the politics come into play…
-Sam Smith, Citrus Heights
*This letter was shortened due to length exceeding 250 word limit
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