Since the very beginning of the COVID epidemic, scientific study after study shows that masks reduce the rate of infection spread, and cut down on the chance of spreading the infection to others. Yet, many of New Jersey’s politicians are still more concerned with showing their allegiance to the politics of stupidity and anti-science, than with saving the lives of children.

In a recent response to my letter about this issue, State Senator Joseph Pennacchio reiterated his stance against mask wearing, referring to a hearing on July 8 2021 on “Unmasking our Children” with “experts”. Some of the presentations included things like the “dangers” of mask wearing due to oxygen loss and bacteria accumulation. How many people do you know who are in the hospital because of mask wearing and how does this contrast with the number of people hospitalized for Covid? Pennacchio stated that “Many of our freedoms that we took for granted were cast aside.”

What freedom is that, Senator Pennachio? In what misremembered fantasy world did children have the right to wear or not wear whatever they chose? Among other things my children could not wear in school were: hats, spaghetti strap tank tops, t-shirts with certain sayings, and bare feet. Many of their teachers required them to wash with antibacterial soap throughout the course of the day if they were engaging in certain activities. And to enter public school I needed to provide proof of vaccination against things such as Measles, Mumps and Rubella. Where was all the outrage then?

And yet, in contrast to all the above things, wearing a mask can help prevent children from catching a disease that can kill people. Masks are non-invasive, they are cheap and they are easy. Being in the hospital is invasive, incredibly expensive and profoundly difficult. Stop catering to fool and the angry mob and do the right thing for the people of New Jersey.