EDITORIAL – Proof positive that ‘optional’ masking doesn’t work
(Image: CFJC Today)
An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.
I’VE JUST SPENT a couple of miserable weeks feeling sorry for myself.
The kind of sorry that comes with a bad headache, extreme fatigue, head fog, an incessant cough that hurts in the chest and the head, plus a couple of other things I won’t get into because this is a family show.
Sorry as in wanting to do nothing but sleep, except sleep is hard to come by. And when you do sleep, having some pretty weird dreams. My brain spent one memorable night weaving a detailed plot about a mobster family that would have done Mario Puzzo proud.
The jury’s out on whether it was COVID but, suffice it to say, I’m glad John Horgan’s symptoms are mild; mine sure weren’t.
The point of this tale of woe is that, like Horgan, I have no idea where I got it. As I vowed when Dr. Bonnie Henry declared masks optional — wear masks “when we choose,” she said again yesterday — I’ve continued to wear mine, even though most others don’t.
Fat lot of good it did me.
Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
A mask is to reduce the contamination from a cough, sneeze or moist speech to a previously sanitized operating site. Initially used at the source not the destination. If there’s much contamination of the air like forest fire smoke or sanding or grinding dust it may improve the air but it’s better to move to better air. Most masks are not worn properly with a good seal, but if they are, shallow or small breaths (children) will not change all the air in the mask cavity and you’ll inhale your exhaust and reduce the oxygen to the brain etc. It is good to know when and where to wear the mask.