Do the right thing

During the first two weeks of August, the Idaho Division of Public Health has reported 84 new cases of COVID-19 in Shoshone County. The seven-day rolling average incidence rate in Shoshone County has consistently been the highest in the state.

I would very much like for someone to respond with a legitimate reason why wearing a mask or getting vaccinated to protect the lives and health of other people should be a matter of personal freedom.

Stopping at a red light is not a personal choice. It is mandatory to protect all motorists. Personally, I find it inconvenient and annoying to sit at a red light when no other cars are coming, but I do it. Wearing a mask and getting vaccinated to protect everyone’s health is annoying and inconvenient, but we should all do it.

JIM THOMAS

Pinehurst