Masks: Courtesy and rules apply, even outdoors

I stroll Tacoma’s Old Town waterfront from McCarver Street to Point Ruston several times a week, and am amazed and disappointed at the number of people I see along the walkway who are not wearing masks and not practicing social distancing.

For every 20 people I pass, roughly two are wearing masks.

I work in healthcare and see the daily devastation COVID-19 is causing. We likely won’t have a vaccine for at least another year, and herd immunity is unlikely for a long time.

As defined by Gov. Inslee’s mask order, when in public people must wear a mask when you cannot maintain a distance of 6 feet or 2 meters. I’m not seeing this.

It’s a matter of respect and common courtesy to wear a mask. It’s also a mandate.

Please do the right thing and wear a mask or stay at home. It’s your choice.

This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 10:37 AM with the headline "Masks: Courtesy and rules apply, even outdoors."