Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically effected all of our lives. The potential dangers to individuals from contracting the virus are extreme—it can be fatal or result in severe long-term injuries. The damage to society from the spread of the virus has been devastating, and its recent mutations are even more highly contagious. Physicians and scientists determined relatively early-on that wearing masks and social distancing are crucial to containing the virus, limiting the number of people infected, and protecting the health and well-being of individuals. The wearing of masks has been said to be more important for protecting others than protecting the wearer.

Despite this, large numbers of people in this country have chosen to reject medical science and refuse to abide by the recommended (and in many places mandatory) practices. This irresponsible conduct has led to countless people being needlessly infected and, invariably, to avoidable fatalities.