Graham, Donna
ee
From: Mary Ellen Carter Gilson <maryellenc@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2020 12:05 AM
To: Board of Aldermen
Subject: Please support the mask ordinance
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Hello;
I am writing to ask you to please, please support the mayor's proposed ordinance requiring masks in public
areas. | work in a public-service job, and both | and my husband have health conditions that put us at very high
risk of death if we contract COVID-19. We are as careful as humanly possibile -- we stay home, we socially
distance, we wash our hands until they're raw, and we always, always wear masks when we have to go out. We
know that wearing a mask is a proven way to reduce the risk that we might spread germs to other people. We
know that, the more people wear masks in public, the more we can flatten the curve and reduce the number of
infections. But a lot of people refuse, citing their preference not to, or their personal freedoms. I have had
people tell me that 1fI'm so scared if a few little germs, I should stay home and never go out. That's not an
option, though -- we need groceries, We need prescriptions.
I understand that no one likes being told what to do. But I also don't think that my necessary trip to the grocery
store should cost me my life. Wearing a couple of layers of cloth over your mouth and nose to protect other
people isn't trampling freedom. It isn't too high a price to pay. Our neighbors' lived are worth the inconvenience
-- or at least they should be. They are to me. I hope they are to you, too.
Thank you for the work you're doing. I know it isn't an easy time, for any of us.
Mary Ellen Carter-Gilson
Ward 3
