This month I want to talk about the pandemic and the wearing of masks. As the person ultimately responsible for the safety and welfare of both the public and my staff in our facility, I take the Ohio Department of Health’s mask mandate seriously. No one reading this column can deny that COVID-19 is inching closer and closer to each and every one of us. Library patrons, staff, volunteers, and friends have battled the virus. Some have lost spouses and loved ones. My parents have tested positive. My children have had their in-person education halted, been in quarantine, and had sports canceled or postponed because of the virus.
I read once somewhere that “you get what you expect.” I have always kept that quote in mind when I hire a new employee. If you are clear about your expectations up front, then performance improves because there is no doubt what one’s responsibilities are. As you read this, please know that our library’s mask requirement will be enforced. If you have a health issue that makes wearing a mask difficult, we will work with you to serve you, as mandated by the Ohio Department of Health. Please ask for myself or a manager if this situation relates to you.
I will close with this. The whole mask debate reminds me of what is known as Pascal’s Wager. Pascal was a 17th century French philosopher, theologian, and physicist who argued that a rational person should live their lives as if God exists and should seek to believe in God. If it turns out that God does not exist, then the worst case scenario is that an individual may have missed out on some luxuries or pleasures in life. They would have at least lived a good life. On the flip side, if it turns out there is a God, then the individual will receive “infinite gains,” as in eternal life, and avoid “infinite losses,” the opposite of eternal life. Believe me, I am not here to debate or proselytize or argue. I simply see a very similar parallel to today’s mask issue. Wearing a mask is the “rational” thing to do. If it turns out that the health benefits of wearing masks were meaningless, then at least you followed directions and were considerate of others. If it turns out that mask wearing does make a difference, then you were doing your part to help minimize the spread of the virus.
Thank you for your understanding on this matter! Together, we can keep each other safe so the library can remain open for all!
-Jim Gill
Director