I hate it when someone tells me what to do. But if a forest fire is threatening my life or the lives of those I love, I willingly cooperate with the community. We understand fires in Montezuma County. We see smoke and call for help. We evacuate those who are in the possible path of a fire. We call in hot shots if the fire is exploding. We establish a fire line, then we defend it.
The COVID-19 pandemic is like a forest fire. The sparks that spread it are the tiny viruses carried in the invisible droplets of liquid that we exhale when we breathe, talk, sneeze or cough. The droplets may carry in the air for 6 feet. They may be inhaled by another person and make their way down into that person’s lungs where the virus sets up a deadly blaze.
Unfortunately, we did not have an adequate plan when the virus broke out. Now the virus continues to spread. Thousands have needlessly died. Putting the COVID-19 fire out is going to take a long time. But we are not powerless if we work together.
It isn’t rocket science to build a COVID-19 fire line. We all need to wear masks inside public places and we need to keep 6 feet of social distance. This takes discipline.
We thank those who wear masks. Why aren’t those who refuse to wear masks defending the fire line? It’s in everyone’s best interest to extinguish this fire.
Constance FoxMancos
