We've been around this topic a couple of times here on SeeClickFix - and it will attract the naysayers - but I completely, 100% agree.

"No one is exempt" is simply not true. The City of Cambridge's amended emergency order of May 25 clearly states that the order does not apply to "anyone under the age of five years old, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance, anyone with a disability or medical condition for whom wearing a mask is not recommended by their healthcare professional, and/or any other person exempted by Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines."

Governor Baker's order from May 1 has similar language, and in both orders people are also exempted if they're able to maintain a distance of six feet away from other people. I'd encourage you to read the full text of the orders.

I wonder if nay-sayers can be deflected by asking that the police stop and *speak to* people not wearing masks, rather than ticketing them? I think most people don't realize that we wear masks to protect each other, not to protect ourselves. It's the *critical mass* of people in masks that makes the difference.

Adam, I encourage you to find a sidewalk or path that provides room for 2 adults and 6 feet of distance. Never mind the trouble we have avoiding couples and groups on our narrow sidewalks. Maybe the suburbs have wider sidewalks, where Gov. Baker lives, but it's all but impossible in Cambridge--or for that matter the parts of Boston and Brookline I've lived in.

I also encourage you to remember that a large proportion of people are either over 60 or immune-suppressed or both. For us it's a very serious matter, even if you've decided it's not worth your worry as a younger, uncompromised person. With any luck you'll live to be frailer!

In this lovely weather, 10s of 1000s of us would like to enjoy the streets and parks as you do.

Yes! Totally agree! We should all do this!

....as I was saying...

These have been tough times for people that struggle to accept values and behavior other than their own... these times have reminded us how much we're not in control. If you wear a mask you shouldn't be affected by hypothetical germs from people that do not wear masks. If you walk along memorial drive you are not complying with the #2 recommendation by the city: avoid crowded public places.

Everyone must wear a mask in order for effective prevention to occur. A single mask is not nearly as effective as everyone wearing a mask.

This issue has been marked as a duplicate of issue 7951662.

Issue 7951662 has already been closed and archived.
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