Leslie Osche

From the very beginning of this pandemic, I have said that I have faith and I have knowledge. Therefore, I do not fear.

My faith tells me that we are children of God and equal in his eyes, and that we are free to live in love, to have hope and to walk in truth and light.

My faith tells me that no matter what, He is with us and He alone is my Shepherd. When God provides me with knowledge, I can use that knowledge to make choices.

I KNOW because I can see with my own eyes the effects of this virus. The proof is not in the numbers or the science. It is in the experience of those I love and trust who are working tirelessly as first responders and medical professionals. It is in the experience of families and friends I know whose loved ones have died.

The true origin of the virus and whether it was made by man, nature or God, I don’t know. Neither do I know exactly how to combat it in order to keep those I love safe.

But we are provided with tools. And I know tools may be used to help or to hurt. I know that tools with ill intent may become weapons. I can use a hammer to build a home for the family I love or to pound a nail to hang a picture of someone I love (much to my husband’s chagrin, since it messes up the plaster walls).

But some have used hammers as weapons and, depending on the intent, it may save or it may harm.

Thus, the mask. I have the freedom to choose to use this mask as a helpful tool. In the wrong hands, some may try to use it as a weapon. My knowledge tells me that. But it is with that knowledge and faith that I can choose to use the mask as a tool to protect you and those we love.

I trust the doctors here at Butler Health System who tell me that this mask is a tool, and perhaps the only tool we have right now to help us as a community. So, I choose to wear it in order to protect the other freedoms that we seek to maintain and, above all, to protect those I love.

But, I do so with faith and knowledge. I don’t know 100% for certain if it works for that good intended purpose, but it seems logical. I know the intent in my own heart, and I trust God to take care of me and my community.

My knowledge helps me understand that this tool could be made into a weapon to control me or to control us. I will NOT allow that to happen. I am free to make that choice.

My prayer is that as a community we walk in the light, that we have faith and knowledge enough to choose to use this mask as a tool for good. With collective faith and knowledge, we need not fear those whose intent is otherwise, or a virus whose intent is otherwise.

We will overcome.

Leslie Osche is chairwoman of the Butler County board of commissioners.