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LETTER: Make your own masking decision, but let me make mine

If wearing mask stops others from getting sick, reader will do it, mandate or not
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SooToday received the following letter from reader Clara Robinson in response to an earlier letter regarding COVID-19 published on Nov. 9.

Reading this letter made my heart ache.

I, too, have had all my vaccinations and even though it is frustrating, I will take more if needed.

People tell me, ‘Don’t worry, I have had it and it’s no worse than a common cold.’

Yet even today, the number of people getting COVID is rising.

For those choosing not to get vaccinated or wear a mask, well, I believe in free agency. You can decide for yourself.

But what you don’t have the right to do is decide for me or anyone else.

Throughout the first part of COVID, I lost many friends who chose not to take precautions, unfortunately.

As they were passing away, I heard the suffering not only from their lips but in the voices of their loved ones wishing that their loved ones had made a different choice.

I am 64 years old and am terminal with a horrific disease called Elephantiasis Lymphedema.

They told me I would not live to be 50. Yet, I am now 64 years old.

Even though I have lived longer than anticipated, I still live knowing each day can be my last.

Many will argue that’s the same for all of us, but even though there is truth in that statement, other people are not 400 lbs due to a disease there’s no cure for.

I am also grotesquely deformed because of it and have been bedridden for the last five years.

Every waking moment, I have to choose to live. Trust me, suicide is high with people with this disease.

The difference with me is that I am a woman of great faith, so I choose to fight to live.

If that means wearing a mask so I don’t get someone else sick or get sicker myself, I’ll not only wear it, but wear it freely without being mandated.

If you think that it was horrible being made to take precautions for two years, trust me, I understand.

I was there, too. But I live in my own private hell, living in a bed not being able to go out shopping, or even outside.

If wearing a mask or getting a vaccine would allow me to do what you do each and everyday, give me the masks, etc.

If I save one person from catching my germs and saving them and their families the agony of this disease or death from this disease, then I say yes to the mandates.

But that’s my choice, so don’t judge me for my choice and I won’t judge you for yours.

Two years ago, we woke up to a different world and all the opinions of COVID will not change anything, so why not do all we can to protect each other instead of fighting amongst each other.

I choose life no matter what shape I’m in. Please allow my choice.

With warmest regards,

Clara Robinson
Sault Ste. Marie


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