Appreciates local mask mandates
Thank you to the Columbus city council for extending the city-wide mask mandate. We are not out of the woods yet — and the woods include Mississippi (and Texas).
Here is a problem with removing masks to soon that some may not realize: as long as new infections continue new variants will arise; the rate that they do increases with the rate of new infections.
Some epidemiologists have said that, as a result of these new variants, we now need 85% of the population vaccinated to reach herd immunity. Given the extent of the resistance to being vaccinated I hear of in the general population, I am increasingly concerned that we will not reach that goal.
Paul Mack
Columbus
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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