One of my earliest childhood recollections, first on radio and later on TV, was the series “The Lone Ranger,” whose hero always wore a mask. Every episode followed he same format: The regular institutions had broken down, the bandits or scoundrels had taken over. The Lone Ranger rides into town, fixes everything and rides off into the sunset with a a shout “Hi ho Silver, away!” while some perplexed local guy asks “Who was that masked man, anyway?”
I'm no hero or cowboy, but I wear my mask in public for one reason: I do not, even accidentally, want to transmit the COVID-19 virus to anyone else. The mask is not about me. It will not protect me, but it is my statement that I care about you, the innocent bystander or victim. I may be certain that I do not have the virus, but until I'm tested, I can't be sure. Wearing my mask says "I am taking every precaution not be be used by our invisible enemy, who may have inadvertently contaminated me. I will not be the virus' agent. I'm on your side."
Please, everyone, become Lone Rangers. Be heroes. Help isolate and defeat this criminal who seeks to destroy us all. Wear your masks! It says "I care about you all."
Rev. Michael J. Oleksa
Anchorage
Have something on your mind? Send to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Letters under 200 words have the best chance of being published. Writers should disclose any personal or professional connections with the subjects of their letters. Letters are edited for accuracy, clarity and length.