Why do I wear a mask?

It’s certainly not because I want to, that it’s comfortable, or that it’s convenient.

There have been many times where I have left my office and entered the halls of the Government Center, only to realize I forgot to wear a mask and have to return to my office to get one. The same has occurred when I’ve gone to a restaurant or the grocery store, and I have to go back to my car for a mask. It has also makes exercising in the gym more difficult.

It is also not because it is the law.

It is my belief that we have a constitutional right to not be forced to wear a mask. I made my position very clear earlier this year when I said I would not prosecute those that do not follow the mandates our state government imposed.

My position has not changed. I do not believe we should be criminalizing not wearing a mask in public.

Constitutional rights and common decency are two different things.

I wear I mask because it is the right thing to do. I wear a mask because I want to do my part to stop the spread of the virus. I wear a mask to protect not only myself but to protect others that I come within close contact. It is the decent thing to do for each other. It is also how we can defeat the virus.

If we all do our part and wear a mask when we will be in close contact with others, we will defeat the virus. I am urging everyone to do their part and wear a mask.

It’s not convenient, and it’s not comfortable. You probably don’t want to either.

But for the common good, it is the right thing to do.

Richard A. Goldinger is district attorney of Butler County.