I was disappointed to read the April 13 story “Safety protocols still remain.” The Waupaca City Council, at least eight members of it, is blind to the larger community health benefit, which is normalcy.
The city peaked in infections, hospitalizations, and deaths months ago, and all have tapered off, as clearly evidenced by the Waupaca Health Department website. Also, people are getting vaccinated left and right, while countless others have already had COVID-19. The only things still spreading are continued hysteria and, fortunately, immunity.
It’s time for our city leaders, and the residents, to realize the healthiest thing to do is return to normal and refusing to do so is more harmful than not wearing masks.
We continue to learn that reluctance to return to normal is causing a litany of problems across America. The CDC just released a report indicating—again—that COVID mitigation efforts are detrimental to our health. The latest report emphasizes that drug overdoses and suicides increased during pandemic mania. For months now, reports have shown the damaging mental and physical effects of COVID “mitigation” efforts. Available data shows that states and communities with stringent “mitigation” measures fared no better than those without, Florida versus California being the most obvious example, but certainly not the only one.
In the story, Ald. Mary Phair said she believes it’s the council’s job to look after the community. If that’s really the case, if all eight members who insist on this mask charade believe so, then they’ll advocate a return to normal, since the most consistent data shows the refusal to do so hurts communities. Please understand the benefit of ridding this community of fear and hysteria.
Regarding masks, expert consensus on the efficacy of cloth and tissue masks to stop viral infections does not exist. Credible experts – despite overt silencing of them – have repeatedly questioned the effectiveness of cloth and tissue masks. If you’re not convinced and prefer to listen only to the ones who aren’t silenced, just look at the local data. Visit the Waupaca County Health Department’s covid website. Hospitalizations began spiking starting in September and continued until the end of the year. Masking was a state “mandate” far before, during and after that period. By 2021, hospitalizations and infections plateaued, and for the last 30 days, cases have been anywhere from 0 to 7 at the most. Again, masking remained consistent through the months-long period of large changes in infections and hospitalizations. That data alone indicates masking made no difference.
And make no mistake. Walking around with a mask on your face is not normal, despite how much some have gotten used to it. Masks give people a false sense of security, they dehumanize us, and they create division.
Waupaca residents, please ask city leaders to advocate a return to normal, for the sake of the community’s overall health. Stop letting fear and hysteria manipulate you. Tell the council to be leaders and realize fear and hysteria has no place in this community.
Anyone who would still like to wear their mask is obviously free to do so. But leaders, please stop promoting this as a community benefit. It’s not.
Promote a return to normal.
Paul Dragu,
Waupaca