Cathy Norris, Opinion contributor Published 12:01 p.m. CT Aug. 1, 2020 | Updated 1:24 p.m. CT Aug. 1, 2020

An expert explains the need to wear face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Wochit

I was born between the Great Depression and WWII, part of the Silent Generation, when children were to be seen and not heard. I want to thank the San Angelo Standard-Times for the opportunity to be heard.

Our Declaration of Independence states, We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

The Bill of Rights originally did not apply to all Americans and wouldnt for 130 years. When ratified, those with said Rights were land-owning white men.It was only in 1868 when blacks became equal but only on paper. When women got the right to vote in 1920, they were more equal than they had been. When the Native Americans achieved full citizenship in 1924, they were somewhat more equal. Almost 230 years later there are those who still believe we are not all created equal.

War-time President Trump could learn something about the Covid-19 pandemic from Americas war history.

Completely unaware (as todays COVID-19 has been to us) of what they we're about to witness, Washingtonians dressed for a picnic with picnic baskets and opera glasses, gathered to observe the first battle of the Civil War. It was First Battle of Bull Run in the North and Battle of First Manassas in the South. The picnickers could hear the guns and cannons firing but did not need the opera glasses to see the blood, death and carnage. In horror the picnickers quickly retreated to the safety of their homes.

We visited this battleground and went through a field hospital. The operating tables were put near the windows so that when arms and legs were cut off, they could be tossed out the windows. If the soldiers survived the amputations, they often died from an infection. And today when I see a gurney with a sealed body bag being rushed to a sealed cold storage van, I am reminded of that field hospital where others died alone and the families didnt get to say goodbye or I love you.

After fighting the Battle of Battan in the Philippines for three months, US Forces surrendered. On April 9, 1942the arduous Battan Death March began. The US soldiers were exhausted, malnourished and yet, when a comrade fell, a fellow soldier picked him up, carried him and if he died, he did not die alone. For a soldier to hear Ive got your back could very well mean his survival. The estimated death of Filipinos was 5,000 to 18,000 and 500 to 650 Americans.

By wearing a mask and social distancing, you are saying Ive got your back. By not wearing a mask you could deny others the Right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Seventy-five years ago on July 30, 1945, the Japanese torpedoed the USS Indianapolis. For the 316 of the 1,196 crew who survived, it was a torturous four days in the water surrounded by sharks. They saw their shipmates drown with water soaked life jackets pulling them down, others became delirious and drifted away, but the most traumatizing death to witness was sailors being eaten alive by sharks and living with the dread they could be next. By best count there were 150 such deaths. It was called the worst shark attack during WWII.

Like the sharks, you dont know where COVID-19 will come from. Do you think it cant find you?

By not wearing a mask you are saying you signed up for it do your duty to the men and women who have served and died to protect your right to be uncaring and disrespectful to your fellow citizens. And worst of all to the doctors and nurses your actions show no respect, concern or compassion for their wellbeing.

To wear a mask or not is not about you or me, it is about us and the U.S. During a TV interview a doctor pleaded emotionally for everyone to Wear the damn mask.

Being part of the Silent Generation and as life went on, I learned I am my brothers keeper.

Cathy Norris is a San Angelo resident.

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OPINION: Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness - Standard-Times