Bob Dandoy

Moms always know best.

There are probably few of us who do not remember this conversation with our moms (and quite a few dads) when, as kids, we walked out the door to go out and play.

She asks: “Where are you going?”

We answer: “Outside to play.”

Mom’s reply: “Put on a coat!”

Our dim-witted reply: “Aw, Mom. I’ll be OK. I’m not cold.”

Mom’s witticism: “Well, I am.”

Dutifully, we put on a coat and venture out to play with the other kids.

Mom was certainly happier and, amazingly, a little warmer. What we also usually discovered was, yes, she was right. It was colder out than we thought it was and it was a good thing we put on that coat.

You know, like wearing a mask.

A lot of people bridle at the thought of wearing a mask. They fuss and they fume just like that small child who refused to put on that coat. Sometimes, it’s an ignorant insistence that they’ll “be OK.” Sometimes, it’s a simple stubbornness. Too many times it’s the belief that it’s a perceived restriction that somehow infringes upon our freedoms.

In reality, it is none of those things.

Initially, it was simply an effective attempt to help others. We learned that wearing a mask prevented the spread of COVID-19 to others. Mom’s words should have been ringing in our ears: “YOU wear the coat because I’m cold.”

More of her words: “YOU wear the mask because I could get sick.”

Then, like the kids who were extremely happy that they listened to Mom and wore their coat to play outside, we found out that Mom was right. She was warmer and so were we. She is safer and so are we.

We would do well to remember our mom, dad or whoever exhorted us to put on that coat. We would do well not to make this into a bigger deal like a petulant child throwing a temper tantrum. Had we done this all along — had we worn these masks and practiced the social distancing suggested — we would be in better shape as a community, country and world than what we are.

A simple gesture would have avoided much of the death, suffering and the economic hardship that so many have experienced and continue to experience. A simple gesture will keep moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandmothers, grandfathers, friends and neighbors safe and healthy.

We are now beginning to visualize the end to this pandemic. We need only to persevere and persist just a little longer.

Do yourself a favor. Do everyone a favor. Make you mom proud. Put on the coat.

Wear the mask.

Bob Dandoy is a Butler City councilman.