Bill Mann is to be commended for addressing the serious subject of mask-refusers and anti-vaxxers in his usually light-hearted column. 

Sure, he has some choice, mildly derogatory names for these self-centered, misguided and real threats to society. 

Some people have complained about this. Would they also object to the use of unflattering names when talking about, say, mass shooters? 

People who choose not to get vaccinated or refuse to wear masks need to own up to the fact that they are endangering the lives of others, even if many of those others are fellow witless egocentrics. 

But of course it isn’t just the latter they’re putting at risk. They’re also a real threat to children, who are more susceptible to the Delta variant, but are so far not allowed to vaccinate, and even a menace to those who are already vaccinated. 

There is no right to endanger others. Public health regulations have been in effect for several centuries all over the world to put protection of the health of the community above the desires of the few. 

Speaking of mask-refuseniks and anti-vaxxers: The county commissioners should be severely censured for their very cowardly failure to require vaccination of county staff and visitors to their facilities. Aren’t they listening to their own county health officer? 

The situation is now worse than it has ever been since the pandemic started. 

Now is the time for government to take bold action, not to hide behind unsubstantiated fears of large numbers of staff quitting and conflicts with unions. Commissioners were elected to lead, which involves having a backbone to take on naysayers. 

Fred Nussbaum
PORT TOWNSEND