As a surgeon, now retired, I, like my colleagues, spent many hours wearing a mask in the operating room. By wearing one I protected my patients who had open chests or abdomens, all susceptible to infection; the mask wasn’t for my benefit. It is an established scientific fact that face masks—depending on their construction some more effectively than others—reduce the number of bacteria and virus particles transmitted by simple exhalation, much less with a sneeze or a cough. This meant the mask between my oro- and nasopharynx and my patient diminished the chances of the development of a post-operative infection. This is obvious: imagine being put to sleep to have your lung removed and having the surgeon casually mention that he or she plans to omit wearing a mask because it’s unpleasant. This would make you very uncomfortable.

This identical concern and known benefit of wearing a mask is why now, with the lurking corona virus, it is recommended to be worn, even required, in most places. And it’s why the practice of masking is known to help flatten the curve of the incidence of the infection. Makes sense; less virus in the air, less chance of contamination of our brethren in society.

To me this fact alone is enough reason to say everyone should adhere to the practice of masking until all of us are safe from the corona virus. I, like many of you, find the mask a little unpleasant and in terms of personal comfort would rather not; but it protects others. Does a requirement to wear a mask violate my constitutional rights. The answer is no. The government is tasked with protecting our safety and well-being and the mask serves this need. To me it is no different than being required to stop at a red light or drive on the right side of the road. Some rules, regulations and laws are necessary for the good of society.