If Our Masks Could Speak

In his column (A-23, 7/29), Thomas Friedman put his finger right on the nub of the problem of a spreading virus when he described the attitude of anti-maskers as being “Don’t tread on me but I can breathe on you.” That implicit quote captures perfectly the warped notion that personal liberty entitles one to engage in any activity without regard to its impact on others.
That is the same twisted philosophy which underlies the callous objections to smoking bans. “ I can choose to put my own life at risk even as I blow carcinogens up your nose.” Surprisingly, this corps of “libertarians” has not yet asserted the right to expectorate even if you happen to be in the way. But don’t get complacent, that’s probably next.