Opinion: “The Common Good of Gun Control and Covid Control”
Gun control measures and mask-wearing are both topics that are unnecessarily politicized, weaponized by those they intended to protect. Experts agree that mass shooters often purchase their guns at the last minute shortly before their attack. The gunman in the Atlanta-area spa shootings purchased a 9mm semi-automatic pistol mere hours before he used it to kill eight people on March 16. A mandatory waiting period or licensing requirement could have possibly prevented the needless death — extra steps that are a small price to pay for gun owners when weighed against the cost to human life.
But while gun control measures are debated endlessly in Congress, there is an immediate action we can all take to save lives. Wear a mask around those outside your household. I know by this late stage in the pandemic, the message feels tired. Yet according to a study by USC, half of U.S. adults still don’t wear masks when in close contact with non-household members, so clearly the message isn’t getting through.
One thing that we can all agree on, is that no one particularly enjoys wearing a mask. In the same way, some don’t enjoy a wearing bike helmet or a seatbelt. Yet we have all agreed as a society that these interventions are a minor inconvenience and worth the life-saving benefits.
Why is it that we can’t apply the same logical rationale to wearing face masks that dramatically reduce the transmission of a rapidly mutating, deathly virus? How has a piece of cloth turned into such a polarizing issue?
The tired arguments of infringements on our freedom and liberty simply don’t hold up. How can you claim that we are free if we are all just one unmasked cough from away from contracting a deadly virus? Like many Americans, I am desperate for my freedom. The freedom to reunite with close friends and family members without the fear of infecting them. But with an average of 75,000 new cases of Covid-19 a day in the US, aided by the rapidly spreading variants this will remain out of reach until more Americans commit to wearing masks.
By implementing public health measures like gun control or mask mandates, public officials are not trying to take anything away from Americans. By contrast, they are giving us the gift of life. The countries that have been so successful in eliminating in Covid-19, like Australia and New Zealand have done so by presenting a united front. Politicians from both sides of the aisle buried the hatchet to present a singular public health message focused on preventing transmission of the disease at all costs. It is time for Americans to embody the same values of unity and mask up to prevent needless deaths
Just another persons opinion.
This site, the organization and the idea behind it, have been long overdue. As the commentators above point out, the opinion posted by Dr. William Hazeltine seems to be an opposing viewpoint, according to most of us. The direction of this site may be considered suspicious when articles like this are given prominence. However… Masks should be a personal choice. Even though they do not work. If they make you feel safe, then wear them for your own peace of mind. I will not try and stop you. If I choose not to wear a mask please do not try to make me. I will resist as I believe them to be bad for my health, my children’s health and my grandchildren’s health, based on my research.
Guns should be a personal choice. Angry, frustrated and confused individuals kill people and will always find a way to do so, irrespective of gun control. Yes, guns are a convenient way to cause death. Apparently so are cars, planes, knives and many other methods. Normal and well adjusted people can snap and suddenly wish to do unspeakable things. A law enforcement officer may not be around to protect you. “To serve and Protect” seems lost in the past. Their absence when most needed means I will protect myself. You must protect yourself and your family. What will you do with no means of protection? Tyrants, madmen and criminals will always find a way to exert their will. Don’t take away my ability to protect myself by stopping them. I will resist. When a person intent on killing walks into an area where people have no protection he may exert his agenda with free will. Let that same person walk into an area where others have protection and he will be stopped before too much damage is done. Guns are not the primary problem. People are the problem. For thousands of years people have been the problem. Wars have raged in the name of (fill in any number of reasons) for eons. Started by people intent on forcing their agenda on others and the others resisting. Democracy, true democracy is the answer. I hope this site and the idea behind it will help restore some semblance of freedom and fair Democracy. Overall, in every facet of life on this earth common sense, fairness and goodwill must direct us. Instilled in children, for the children, for the future. While I recognize Dr. Hazeltines opinion as one to be opposed. I would ask him to prove his point, irrefutably. I will join this site, hopeful of it’s motives. All sides must be voiced, heard and considered to reach a consensus.
Thank you for your most excellent rebuttal to Dr. Haseltine’s totalitarian opinion against individual life and liberty.
Does this guy know nothing about the ineffectiveness of masks ? He cannot have done any scientific
research on this topic. Gun control?
I thought that Daily Clout was about preserving the constitution. Sounds pure Democratic reasoning to me..
You might add to your list of 5, a 6th point, that being the preservation of 2nd amendment rights.
Naomi, why was it that you voted for Joe Biden?
My gut reaction is in line with most comments. Look up gun safety from an expert on crime and guns, John R. Lott, Jr.
Apparently, Dr. Haseltine forgot to check the peer-reviewed literature on masks. They do not work for Covid.
The science is in on masks. They don’t make a difference.
Who is this guy? Post some real data else you opinion is just noise. How did he get in here as an “expert”. Masks are like trying to catch mosquitoes with chicken wire.
The stronger the lock down the worse the outcome.
How about data from outside the cesored USA?
https://swprs.org/covid-update-may-2021/