Vote on Unmasking People Is Reckless

From the Rio Rancho Observer Sunday, August 8, 2021. Reprinted with permission of the author.

https://rrobserver.com/letter-to-the-observer-vote-on-unmasking-people-is-reckless/

Given that transmission rates are through the roof and case count rates are spiking, the Rio Rancho school board took a reckless 3- 2 vote to allow non-masked people in the schools.

This is as basic as always maintaining requirements that food service employees sterilize all serving equipment, a common-sense health measure.

Like the virulent non-maskers, some food servers may have heard from a family member or have seen a YouTube video or social media posting proclaiming that scientific data is false, and regulations issued by government are oppressive.

Few people die from food poisoning, anyway, some might say to support their “belief” sterilization is not needed. Yet don’t allow them the “freedom” to do whatever they want to do. That would be reckless.

This doesn’t happen because that would be unthinkable, yet the same is happening regarding common-sense steps to protect students and employees from a known deadly virus. I am shocked that Superintendent Sue Cleveland recommended reckless action.

It’s a simple public health measure just like requiring eating areas be sanitized.

Charles Goodmacher
Rio Rancho

(Editor’s note: The Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education voted to allow vaccinated students and teachers to go unmasked in middle and high schools. Unvaccinated people and anyone in elementary schools, vaccinated or not, must wear a face mask. For more information, see the article here.)