Irresponsible leadership defies common sense
Listening to the always informative Yellowstone Public Radio on Friday morning I was able to hear interviews with both Gov.-elect Gianforte and Sen. Daines. To their credit they were each
encouraging people to receive the COVID vaccine when it becomes available to them. When asked about following the CDC health guidelines to wear masks and observe social distancing until such
time as we have enough people vaccinated to end the pandemic, Sen. Daines replied “Where it makes sense, just using good old-fashioned Montana common sense, to wear a mask”.
So let’s look to the Republican majority leadership in Helena for some Montana common sense. Whoops, maybe not. Clearly, they have decided that the CDC guidelines don’t apply to them and
will be congregating in large numbers, in an enclosed space with no mask requirement. Apparently, it just doesn’t make sense for our civic leaders — charged with our protection, safety and best
interests — to set a good example for the rest of the populace.
Or perhaps if you stick your head far enough……ahem, in the sand, a mask isn’t needed. I would suggest the leadership in Helena pull their heads out and put on a mask. And don’t forget about the frequent hand washing, not only does it help stop the spread of COVID, it will help with the blood of the needless COVID victims that will be on your hands due to your irresponsible leadership.
Chris Hansen
Bozeman
Gianforte’s mask statement should concern us all
I’m frightened and angered by Greg Gianforte’s statements regarding rescinding our state mask mandate. There is already too much division in our country regarding COVID-19 that’s directly due to mixed messaging, denial and non-compliance from our elected officials. How can he honestly believe that simply suggesting that we wear one or wearing a mask himself is going to be enough to keep us safe?
In Tuesday’s Chronicle he is quoted as stating: “I do trust Montanans to make the right decisions for themselves and their family. We’re going to encourage people to wear masks.” All you have
to do is look at the infection statistics from non-mandated states or the outcry from the scientific and health community to realize that this is clearly not enough!
Imagine doing away with traffic laws mandating that we stop at red lights, but instead “suggest” that we stop. Or doing away with speed limits and instead “trusting” that we’d drive in a safe and cautious manner. Yeah right…
God didn’t lay down the “10 Suggestions” for a reason, nor did he simply “trust” that we’d do the right thing. I pray that enough of my fellow Montanans make their voices heard and speak out in favor of the mask mandate to enlighten Mr. Gianforte.
Tim Conlan
Bozeman
We should all wear masks, choose to protect others
My question to you is very easy to understand: Is it more important that a resident of Montana be allowed to make a personal decision based on anything except science to not wear a mask than it is to protect fellow residents of Montana from infection, hospitalization or death?
This does not compare to wearing a helmet while skiing, cycling or motorcycling. This does not compare to not wearing a legally mandated seat belt.
This is not comparable to not carrying bear spray. This isn’t even like choosing to smoke or not. Those are decisions that, probably, won’t hurt or kill someone else. Is there an obscure or clear
constitutional rationale behind your “leadership” on this issue?
If we wear masks for a while we can all go back to work and, someday, put all this in the rearview mirror. The mask is not about the one wearing the mask, it is about caring for others.
Where’s the compassion? Where’s the love?
Larry Barnard
Bozeman
Bozeman Daily Chronicle Letters to the Editor 12/25/20