Freedom for all

By Victor Kuarsingh

The debate rages in North America over the need to use face masks when in public to curb the COVID-19 epidemic and how such ordinances infringe on our freedoms.  This debate is less obvious in Canada versus what we see in the US, but don’t be fooled, many Canadians are passive aggressive in their actions and many don’t wear masks.  I would argue from personal experience, the percentage of patrons in local grocery and hardware stores whom do not wear a mask is about the same in Toronto and Miami (shocking for some to hear). 

Does wearing a mask infringe on our freedom?  Well, it certainly can be argued that it does.  However, we need to look beyond simple arguments in this case.  Although we are “free”, none of us exist independent of others.  We depend on society, and society depends on us each day.  So instead of looking at how masks may infringe on your individual freedom, think about how masks intersect with our society’s ability “to be free” as a whole.  

Taking a step back, we need to first all agree that masks may help.  Sure political leaders wavered on recommending them back in February and March, which was sad because they had the needed data to make the proper recommendation. There is enough data to suggest that its potentially helpful, hence why we have doctors wear masks in operating rooms (to protect the patient, not the doctor). Empirically, asian countries have seen much higher success in controlling the coronavirus epidemic and social conformity to wearing masks and distancing is a key differentiator. Unfortunately, local authorities chose to mis-inform society in an attempt to protect PPE supplies early on in the epidemic versus leveling with those in North America – potentially adding significant pain and suffering as a result of their willful dishonesty.  

Now, back to this topic. We don’t wear masks to just try and protect ourselves, we do it to protect everyone else, and ensure we can all live in a free society and support everyone’s ability to move about safely.   This is a key point missed by many who argue against the notion of masks.  These individuals think about their personal freedom and not about protecting a free society.  By allowing the virus to spread uncontrolled, we lose our ability to protect the most vulnerable in our society which includes mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, cousins, uncles, aunts and so many more.  If we are all not free, then none of us are truly free.

So when you think about your freedom, think about everyone’s freedom.  Think about what so many young men and women gave up in WWI and WWII so our society could be free.  Those brave souls often gave up their lives and did not think just of themselves when they faced evil in the eye – they thought about everyone else – so should we.  The price of freedom is that we all need to sacrifice at times to attain it.