Rantz: Inslee’s ego is why you should wear a mask, even if you hate it

Governor Jay Inslee is now mandating you wear a mask (or face covering) when you’re either indoors or unable to socially distance yourself during the coronavirus pandemic. Though it’s of paramount importance to wear a mask, Inslee is inexplicably waiting until Friday, June 26, for his order to go into effect.

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Inslee’s guidance has been inconsistent. And it feels like he enjoys shaming you into his guidance — all under the threat of destroying businesses.

It’s the exact reason why I think you should wear a mask as long as we’re under coronavirus guidance.

Wear a mask, save a business during coronavirus

Inslee comes off as a politician who likes picking winners and losers. Why do I feel that way? Because Inslee has chosen winners and losers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Construction sites that receive public funds? Inslee told us it was safe to operate during the pandemic. But if the project gets private funds? It’s a danger! It must be shut down. Want to fish alone in a boat? You’re a coronavirus menace! But want to attend a protest with tens of thousands of people? Have at it — just wear a mask.

Inslee’s decisions were not guided by data and science. They were guided by politics and power. And I think he’ll happily close down businesses again if you don’t abide by his new mandate. He likes that power.

Of course positive cases are going up

Positive cases go up when you have a contagious virus and more testing (and thousands of people protesting). But looking at the Department of Health numbers, there’s been no significant changes in who is most impacted.

Over half the deaths in Washington state are driven by patients over the age of 80. From 60-79, the death rate is the second highest at 39%. This data alone should argue for more hyper-focused attention on Washingtonians over 60.

But saying that — fighting to keep the most at-risk population healthy — results in Inslee bizarrely pretending you want to see them dead instead of saved. Fair enough. We’ve had to deal with that ridiculous Inslee claim before.

So knowing where Inslee is going, declaring himself the only one who will save the lives of the elderly, the only choice we have, pending a successful legal challenge, is to wear a mask. If you don’t, he’ll revert counties back into earlier phases, which will decimate already-struggling businesses. His ego will demand it: He’ll convince himself that he’s the only one capable of saving people’s lives.

You may not want to follow rules, but I know plenty of businesses that won’t want to risk a lawsuit or a business-ending financial penalty for not complying. Is harming businesses because you find the mask silly or ineffective worth it?

Don’t wear a mask during the coronavirus pandemic and you help close down a barbershop in Sultan, a restaurant in Renton, or a gym in Redmond. Refuse to wear a mask, and you keep a dental hygienist in Bellevue, esthetician in Seattle, or a barista in Tacoma out of work, when tens of thousands of Washingtonians still haven’t collected their first unemployment payment.

So do us all a favor and wear a mask when it’s supposedly necessary. I know you don’t want to. Believe me: I know. You tell me on my show daily. But most of the time when you’re outside, you won’t need to wear one at all. And this doesn’t seem like the right battle to have at this moment.

If you’re looking for a local place to buy a mask, I recommend Auburn-based Grey+Mae. If you’re going to be forced to wear a mask, buy locally.

Listen to the Jason Rantz Show weekday afternoons from 3-6 p.m. on KTTH 770 AM (or HD Radio 97.3 FM HD-Channel 3). Subscribe to the podcast here. Follow @JasonRantz on Twitter and Instagram or like me on Facebook. 

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