Dear editor:

News flash: The unequivocal evidence is in. “Wearing masks saves lives and prevents the spread of the virus.”

As the economy reopens, residents and tourists are becoming more complacent and not taking the virus seriously.

Masks on Queen Street are rare at best, as noted by Lord Mayor Betty Disero. Once inside the local stores, like Phil's, Penner etc., all social distancing bets are off as  there  are very few people  wearing masks and customers are charging around the stores in all directions, like a bull in a china shop.

As well, there is total disregard for the aisle direction markings on the floor. I broached the matter with one customer, “Excuse me, you are going in the wrong direction.” Their reply, “I know,” and they keep on shopping.

We will always have these militant, cavalier types playing fast and loose with not only their health, but everyone around them – their family and friends etc. They just have a total disregard for any laws and guidelines.

The United States is only one example and is paying the inevitable price for ignoring the medical guidelines to defeat this virus.

The state of California, with a population of 39.51 million, that's 2 million more than Canada, has mandated the wearing of masks. Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York has urged President DonaldTrump to order everyone to wear a mask.

Florida, Arizona, California and others are closing the bars and beaches and delaying or rolling back economic reopening plans

This is not a second surge. It's a new spike in cases during the first  stage of the virus.

In conclusion, I am pleading with our town officials to make masks mandatory for the safety of our community as a whole and to protect our merchants from a disastrous second shutdown. The jury has spoken on this one – let's not be late to the party. Be a leader, not a follower.

Seniors get the message on wearing masks. Many of them as children, like myself,  wore gasmasks in the U.K. during the Second World War. We adapted to wearing seatbelts and not smoking in restaurants etc.

What is so different with society today that a greater percentage refuse to wear masks? Is it that in our generation, we had more respect for our parents, teachers, the police and the general rule of law?

For those who refuse to and don't like wearing a mask: you will like wearing a ventilator less.

Samuel Young

NOTL