Health officials on the Peninsula acknowledge that misinformation about the wearing of masks during the coronavirus pandemic has not been helpful in controlling the spread of the virus. 

To wear a mask or not to wear a mask in order to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus has become something of a political statement for a number of people rather than a public health or safety statement.  Olympic Peninsula Health Officers in both Jefferson and Clallam Counties acknowledge that pockets of resistance that continue to claim the pandemic is a hoax or wearing masks are an infringement on personal rights are a significant distraction.   Clallam Health Officer Dr. Allison Unthank addressed the issue at last week’s COVID-19 briefing:

UNTHANK:  “It’s a challenge to deal with misinformation. In public health we’ve been dealing with misinformation in a variety of forms for quite some time. But certainly with COVID-19 it’s been a big challenge. You know there are political figures that are spreading misinformation and that makes it really hard. I think one of the ways I’m hoping to deal with it is to have the message coming from more and diverse voices. I know some people think this is a Democrat or a Republican issue, and it is not.  It’s an everybody issue.  And so I think the more we hear that we hear it from different people – we can hear it from Democrats and Republicans and Libertarians and everybody saying  'Hey, I don’t want to die of this virus, and I don’t want my grandma to and I want my business open.' And sharing that message and following the guidelines is how we get that to happen. The more we get that from different people and I think that will help. And so that’s part of why I’m putting out that call – spread the word. Especially if you hang out with folks who might be in that group who doesn’t think this is real, engage in those tough conversations.”

Dr. Unthank says her preference is to convince people to do the right thing. If we can’t, she says the only other option available is to use blunt instruments like closing things down again – something they will do it if they have to.  

Now, grab a mask and please watch the video below.