I grew up in Herman, went to Butler Catholic, then graduated from Butler High School. I attended and then marched in our parades, swam at Alameda and had great times with friends at Family Bowlaway.

When I left for college, I proudly brought friends home and showed them around town, warning them that running errands would take longer than expected after you account for bumping into so many people you know.

Going “home home” to Butler has always been a calming thought to me, something I look forward to, even cherish.

Sadly, Christmas 2020 changed the way I view my beloved hometown, and that breaks my heart.

I couldn’t believe the lack of mask wearing I saw throughout town. I was truly shocked. I had thought surely, unlike where I live now at school at Duke University in Durham, N.C., a town that is not comprised of transient individuals would adhere to public health rules.

One clerk at a grocery store stated, after I pointed out a couple who was not wearing masks, “I know, we feel the same, but there’s nothing we can do.” The sense of exasperation and defeat in her voice was overwhelming; this was a heartbreaking moment. An essential worker, just doing her job, being put at heightened risk. For no reason.

Why are people not wearing masks? Because of selfishness.

Wearing a mask is not difficult. Wearing a mask is not an economic burden. Wearing a mask helps reduce spread of this deadly virus. Wearing a mask shows that you care about your community. Wearing a mask is the right thing to do.

Ann Girdano,

Summit Township