I am most likely one of the most conservative, politically active member of the blog community. So I'd like to approach this subject from a little different angle. There are a whole bunch of people who oppose wearing masks because they say requiring the use of masks violates their Constitutional Rights. As a Conservative Constitutionalist in the spirit of Jefferson, I beg to differ with my conservative friends.
Nowhere in the Constitution does it cover a situation like we have right now. The Founders could have never foreseen such a virus, or the results from it. The Constitution is a roadmap for the formation of new laws to cover situations which are not mentioned in this document. No one could have looked into a Crystal Ball and received revelation that the COVID-19 would hit the World population as hard as it has. While it isn't the worst epidemic or pandemic in World History, it is still a deadly virus, especially for those with compromised health conditions. Also it is obvious this virus is easily spread from one person to another, as well as from animal-Human contact.
Requiring masks to be worn in public is not unconstitutional, because it is covered under the General Welfare Clause of our Constitution. Lawmakers have the duty and responsibility to introduce and pass legislation which affect the whole of the population. Wearing of masks has been proven to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the general population, and the wearing of R-95 or more effective mask have been proven to protect medical workers from the virus. So why is there so much opposition from the conservative side of the isle concerning Covid-19?
Partly it has to do with the principle of freedom of choice. But this principle falls flat because NOT wearing a mask is a danger to everyone they come in contact with. It has been shown non-medical masks, protect others more than they do wearers of the mask. To go into public and be potentially responsible for making other sick is irresponsible
The other part is, we conservatives have identified huge errors in both domestic and foreign policy, many of which have no Historical, Scientific, or Political facts or president to back the laws being made, or Treaties being entered into. In fact many decisions made by our government blatantly violate the Constitution and principles of the Founding Fathers. Therefore we keep a watchful eye on politicians and Bills introduced in Congress, as well as Treaties being approved by the Senate.
I am a strict Jeffersonian Conservative Constitutionalist, who relies on facts, to make pragmatic decisions about the issues.
If you have any regard for the health and safety of others, WEAR A MASK!