Mediaboss Marketing

Dave Gragg Published 6:44 p.m. CT Aug. 28, 2020

My dad told me a story about his older brother from when they were in their late teens/early 20s.

The two of them were home from the Navy and Uncle Rodger decided he was going to jump off the bridge outside of Urich.

Alcohol may have been involved.

The more my dad tried to convince him it was a bad idea, the more Uncle Rodger insisted he was going to do it anyway.

Look around right now and you can guess how the story ended.

The more some insist that everyone should wear a mask, the more others insist theyre not going to.

Ive heard lots of reasons why people shouldnt have to wear a mask: They dont work, the pandemic panic is overblown, the government doesnt have the right.

The irony is that usually its the same people who yell that nothing is free.

Our escape from this pandemic isnt free, either. But we have a choice as to what price were going to pay.

We can watch it continue to ravage our state, killing some of the most vulnerable, leaving the survivors with long-term damage and hamstringing our economy.

Or we can stay socially distanced and wear a mask. Let me be clear here: Masks may help protect you, but theyre really about protecting those around you.

I lean more toward the socially liberal/libertarian side of the political spectrum. Im a big fan of individual responsibility and the right to swing my fist.

But when individuals dont take responsibility for their own actions when my fist hits your face the government must step in.

Weve learned that we cannot count on Gov. Mike Parson to lead our state.

So we have to ask more from the folks closer to home.

To my friends on the city councils in Republic and Willard, its time to enact a mask ordinance.

The need is especially pressing in my home of Republic, where a fireworks display and business expo are planned in the coming weeks. The towns annual Pumpkin Daze, which was just cancelled because of COVID concerns, would have been able to happen if the state had stronger measures in place months ago.

Combined with the start of school where my kids will be Monday I worry Republic is going to turn into a COVID hot spot that spreads beyond western Greene County and wont end without another shutdown that slows the body count but does other long-term damage.

Its too easy to point the finger somewhere else: Individuals should be able to decide for themselves. Businesses should require their clients to wear masks. Cities and counties are the closest to their communities and should make the decision. The states should. Why isnt the federal government doing more?

I grew up in a town where there arent enough people to get away with Somebody should do something. If theres something that needs to be done, go get it done.

So we start small and work our way up. I see too many people refusingto wear masks even in businesses that require them. Especially during an economic slowdown, businesses shouldnt have to worry about alienating their customers. A city mandate gives those businesses some cover cover I appreciate the city of Springfield giving my business.

Requiring masks should not be political. Its the government watching out for its citizens, just the same as it does with speed limits, drunk driving laws and restaurant health inspections.

Republic and Willard, its time to step up.

Dave Gragg is a Republic resident, Springfield business owner and Democratic candidate for the 130th seat in the state House of Representatives.

Read or Share this story: https://www.news-leader.com/story/opinion/2020/08/28/its-time-republic-and-willard-step-up/5634939002/

Read the original here:
It's time for Republic and Willard to step up - News-Leader