INDIANAPOLIS — The subject of face masks to try to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is personal for State Representative Blake Johnson.
“My mom has multiple sclerosis, which is already a pretty trying disease to be facing in regular life, so add to that being at greater risk has been tumultuous for our family,” said Johnson.
Johnson’s father just had surgery and his father-in law has also been ill, so wearing a mask is not an option. It’s a necessity.
“We’re trying on the side of our family to be helpful and take the necessary precautions, but it’s really challenging to watch others not taking necessary steps to help prevent the spread of this very serious virus,” Johnson said.
That’s why Johnson wrote a letter to Governor Eric Holcomb, asking him to mandate the use of masks statewide.
Johnson, president of Indy Hub, believes such a mandate would be no different than a requiring Hoosier drivers not to use their phones will driving, which took effect July 1.
“This is not an attack on personal liberty. It is an attack on this virus,” said Johnson, 33.
So far, Johnson hasn’t heard back from the governor about his request. Earlier this month, Holcomb said he sees more Hoosiers wearing masks than he did last month.
For right now, Holcomb says it’s the state’s job to support local governments who require residents to wear masks.
“I hope people don’t look at it as inconvenient, but look at it as cool, like, ‘I’m doing my part, my patriotic duty to try to get us through this sooner rather than later,’” Holcomb said in a July 1 media briefing, where he announced the #MaskUpHoosier campaign.
So far, four counties (Marion, Elkhart, Saint Joseph and LaGrange) are requiring residents to wear masks. Johnson thinks it’s time the rest of the state joined them.
“The founders said, ‘Give me liberty or give me death.’ They didn’t say, ‘Give me liberty to the point where I can give sickness and death to others.’ and that’s what we’re talking about here,” Johnson said.