We must all share in responsibility

To the editor: As citizens of the United States, we benefit from many freedoms including freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, the right to vote for officials, etc. We receive many benefits — water, roads, health care, military and police, environmental protection, unemployment, and many others. As citizens we have responsibilities, too. No, not just taxes. We are responsible to protect our world and the people who surround us. We should be accountable for ourselves and our actions. Unfortunately, some people do not accept this responsibility. Because of their “freedoms,” they deny science and choose to put others at risk. During a very deadly pandemic, they have chosen to congregate, to refuse the use of masks and social distancing. Now that we have effective vaccines, they may refuse to vaccinate to protect themselves and the rest of us. Many of our fellow citizens have unwittingly been infected; more than half a million have died. Many would call this poor citizenship and irresponsibility. COVID-19 continues to spread all over the world. There are now deadly variants that are more contagious and are infecting people of all ages. This is not the time to let our guard down. The Wisconsin Supreme Court may have shot down a mask mandate, but we have a personal responsibility to do what is right. We do not live in a bubble. Please consider your decisions in respect to the other guy. Show others that you can be a good citizen. Patricia Luff, Marion