Editor,

In response to Fred Wilferth‘s Jan. 15 letter to the editor whining about the public health requirement that citizens wear masks when entering indoor spaces or are unable to keep appropriate physical distance outdoors, I’d like to ask if he wears a seatbelt when he gets in his car?

Wearing a seatbelt has been another intrusive public safety measure that we all accept.

I was born before they were required equipment in vehicles, much less a legal requirement for drivers.

In the middle of this terrible pandemic, a contagion that has killed over 400,000 Americans, to attempt to make a common sense and barely inconvenient public health mandate a political issue is just ridiculous. It’s looking for a fight instead of looking for right.

I’m not a sheeple. I’m an intelligent, informed and considerate fellow citizen.

I wear my mask to protect you, Fred.

Susan Upchurch

Coupeville