Dear Editor,

We are the United States of America and we exist only because we were united in defeating an oppressive British rule which politically favored their own East India Trading Company.
We had a common threat and banded together to win our freedom. Many patriots paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

The Corona Virus is a common threat no less deadly than that war for our freedom. Healthcare, grocery store clerks and other essential workers are our current day patriots making the sacrifice on the front lines, sometimes paying the ultimate price.

I believe we should value our collective freedom to exist as a united nation against the Virus. Wearing a mask is a very simple thing to do. It is not an affront to our individual freedoms. It should not be considered an oppressive burden to bear to keep our nation strong and protect us. The self centered concept of individual freedoms opposing the wearing of masks is why we are leading the world in Corona Virus cases and hurting our economy so. We can and should do better. Be a patriot. Wear a mask.

Michael Sauber

Silver City