The Lone Ranger wore a mask. Zorro wore a mask. Surgeons wear masks.

The COVID forest fire is spreading faster. Right now, the tools we have to contain it are: wearing masks, keeping 6 feet away from others in public places and washing our hands when we get home.

The virus just wants to stay alive. It is blind to liberals and conservatives. It is mostly spread in tiny, invisible droplets sent out by breathing, talking, coughing or sneezing. At about 6 feet away, most of the microscopic droplets will have dissipated.

Nearly a third of people who carry the virus have no symptoms, so they can unintentionally infect other people by getting too close and by not wearing masks. It is even more of a kindness to others than to oneself to wear a mask.

To build and defend the fire line against COVID, we all need to wear masks in public. Especially our leaders – our county commissioners and candidates for county commissioner – can lead by example. Then we can wonder, “Who was that masked man in the pink shirt?”

Constance FoxMancos