The lengths to which people should feel obligated to protect their fellow citizens is causing much discussion during the never-ending COVID-19 pandemic.

While we’ve encouraged people on this page to get vaccinated if they’re safe to do so — there are some who cannot get their shots due to allergic reactions — there are still many people who refuse to do so.

There will be a lot of debate about national vaccination mandates at places of employment, but that’s an argument for another time.

Instead, there’s something to be said about the fact that some people are still opposed to wearing masks when called upon to do so.

Yes, it seemed the days of masking had passed after the number of COVID-19 cases dropped not long ago. But things have changed as the delta variant is causing hospitals to once again run out of ICU beds, and there are concerns about the possibility of turning away people if hospitals become too overcrowded.

A recent county commissioners meeting was an example of masking drama. Some attendees refused to follow the meeting’s requirement of wearing a mask, arguing that it infringed upon their rights.

The three commissioners and all county employees wore masks at the meeting. In other words, they behaved like adults.

At other recent meetings, there’s been a lot of back and forth regarding children wearing masks in school. In this case, it’s understandable to not want to force children to cover their faces all day.

On the other hand, while children might not like wearing face coverings, they are more likely to do so if asked by their teachers and told that it’s for the safety of others.

Recently, more children across the nation have been hospitalized with serious cases of the delta variant, and while youths are still less at risk than adults, germs spread quickly at schools, and they can bring COVID-19 home to their more vulnerable parents or grandparents.

Honestly, is it too much to ask to wear a mask? It’s probably safe to say nobody likes wearing one, but we do it to protect others and it’s the right thing to do.

It’s not a protocol for life. One day, this pandemic will be over. It’s on all of us to determine when that happens.

In the meantime, unprecedented times call for extraordinary measures. More than 650,000 Americans have been killed by COVID-19. Many of those deaths could have been prevented.

If a parent does not want their child to wear a mask when school rules require it, they can explore whichever virtual options are still available in their district. Adults, however, have no excuse not to follow the rules.

There are still vulnerable people in your community. Your decisions affect their well-being.

— NCD