LETTER: Why was editor’s note added to letter opposing face masks?

To Ozaukee Press:
    In a letter to the editor published in the July 9 issue of Ozaukee Press with the headline “He chooses not to wear a mask and, like sheep, give up liberty,” Timothy Job wrote a personal view on mask wearing. It was his opinion and it did not need a cautionary comment from the editor.   
    Does the editor think that Press readers do not know how to view an opinion? Since we are inundated hourly about all Covid-19 news, I think we can make up our own minds about all the information.
Kathleen Mortenson
Port Washington
Editor’s comment: We agree with Ms. Mortenson: Ozaukee Press readers are certainly capable of making up their own minds about the opinions expressed on the editorial pages. The editor’s note following Timothy Job’s letter was not a comment on his opinion; it was comment correcting a false statement. Mr. Job wrote that masks are “kind of useless.” The efficacy of face masks in limiting the spread of Covid-19 is not a matter of opinion. It is a documented fact that masks are effective. Under the newspaper’s letters policy, reader letters containing misinformation are either rejected or, if published, are accompanied by a note providing the correct information. Mr. Job was given generous space to forcefully argue his point that citizens have the right to reject wearing a mask as a matter of personal liberty, and we welcome letters such as his that stimulate community discussion on important issues. But facts will be checked.