A rule not enforced…
In the novel CATCH-22, set in WWII, Captain Yossarian says to Clevinger, “They’re trying to kill me.” After learning that Yossarian is referring to the enemy, Clevinger answers, “They’re not trying to kill you. They’re trying to kill everybody.” Yossarian says, “What’s the difference?”
I feel like Yossarian. I am well past my three score and ten, and have type AB blood, which studies have shown to have the worst outcomes from COVID-19 infections. Bare-faced people are trying to kill me. They are everywhere. My partner and I went to an estate sale with several items of great interest, but when we opened to door to the house, five unmasked people were sitting inside chatting. We left. I went to Military Hardware for some bolts. All the customers were masked, but only the 20-year-old clerk was masked. All the rest of the staff were bare-faced. They were trying to kill me. “No, Bill, they’re trying to kill everybody.”
Since I am unwilling to risk the gym, my exercise is walking. Most days, I walk the Riverwalk. The last dozen times I walked there, only one person I passed was masked. I do a lot of walking on the grass about ten feet from the walkway. My least favorite thing there is the long bridges with bare-faced groups lounging and talking.
Raymond Deskins, in Virginia, has been charged with assault for deliberately blowing on women asking him to wear a mask. Should one of the women die of COVID-19, perhaps he will be charged with homicide. He was, after all, trying to kill them.
Governor Reeves has extended his mask mandate to Lowndes County, adding his mandate to the one already in force locally. I doubt it will have much effect. A rule not enforced is not a rule.
Bill Gillmore
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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