I want to be free to breathe air that is not contaminated with the breath and germs of people who are not wearing masks.

Researchers say 25 percent to 50 percent of people with COVID-19 are unaware they have the virus.

These carriers without symptoms allow the novel coronavirus to spread more rapidly throughout a community.

Experts say it is therefore even more important for people to wear face masks in public.

I am in the high-risk group over 60 with high blood pressure, overweight and prediabetic. I have been staying home since early March trying to avoid COVID-19 germs that would probably kill me. I have my groceries delivered or use curbside pickup. Wearing a mask and gloves I have gone to the grocery store twice and three or four times to the post office to send out masks that I make to family members. Each time I go out, I worry.

I don’t like wearing a mask either, but I don’t want to make anyone else sick with my germs or be exposed to COVID-19 droplets in the air from someone not wearing a mask. Exposure to COVID-19 from people not wearing masks could be a death sentence to me or your family and friends.