COLUMN: Free societies must rely on common sense, personal responsibility during pandemic

Any hope that we might have had that this COVID-19 situation would lighten up on us when the weather turned warm has turned out to be in vain. The virus has actually gotten worse (in some cases much worse) for U.S. states in the southern part of the country as summer begins, and that includes Georgia.

Experts believe that one factor causing the summer surge in the pandemic in warmer states is people spending more time indoors in air-conditioned environments. It is especially hazardous to be in a room where the air is constantly re-circulated instead of having it drawn from the outside. It’s strongly recommended that we avoid being in such rooms whenever possible.

Another factor in the virus’ resurgence is the failure of so many citizens to heed the advice of scientists, doctors, and (most) politicians to practice social distancing. Particularly concerning is the resistance shown by many Americans to wear a face covering when they are out in public.

If you’ve been out and about the last few months I’m sure you’ve noticed that many Middle Georgians are not heeding the advice to mask up when they are outside. It’s appalling, frankly, and I can only think of two reasons why people aren’t following this simple practice that can literally save lives in our community.

1. The first reason is simple ignorance. Some people just don’t believe the consistent advice of virologists and other health experts that covering your mouth and nose reduces the chance of your transmitting the virus if you have it. It’s hard to believe that anyone with more than a few active brain cells still doesn’t get that a piece of cloth physically traps some the droplets that come out of your mouth and nose, but it’s amazing what people are able to believe (or disbelieve) in the face of simple facts that they don’t want to accept.

2. The only other explanation I can think of is that people understand that wearing a mask reduces the chance of their making other people sick, and possibly being directly responsible for their death, but they just don’t care. That may sound harsh, but it is the bare fact of the matter. So if you’re one of those people strolling around Walmart with your face hanging out just be aware that you are endangering the lives of everyone you get close to.

I suppose we should not be surprised that our country has the highest COVID-19 infection rate and the highest mortality rate of any country in the world. Some of the things that make our country great – our cherished freedom of choice and our lack of fear of our government – are helping this pandemic to knock us on our backside.

I guarantee you that if the government in China or Russia tells it’s citizens to stay home or wear a mask in public their citizens will do as they are told. Either that or they’ll get picked up and taken away and may never be heard from again.

I’m glad I don’t live in a country where I have to be afraid of the government. But during a public health emergency like the one we are experiencing now a free society has to depend on common sense and personal responsibility to shape the population’s behavior to deal with the emergency effectively. We see now that many of our citizens are sorely lacking in both of those qualities, and so we continue to lead the world in infection rates and deaths and there is no sign of things turning around anytime soon.

So if you’re one of those people ambling around public spaces without a face covering let me remind you one more time that you are needlessly endangering the lives of everyone around you. Look around at the faces you see as they pass within breathing distance of you – some of them may not be around in a few months thanks to you.

Bill Ferguson is a resident of Warner Robins. Readers can write him at fergcolumn@hotmail.com.