Michigan has made remarkable progress in slowing the spread of the coronavirus, enough so that much of the state — including Northeast Michigan — has been reopened since Memorial Day.

But, to protect that progress, we must continue to take precautions — washing our hands, keeping our distance from people outside our household, and wearing a face mask when out and about in the general public.

A number of Michiganders and others around the country, however, have refused to mask up, calling mask mandates an infringement on their personal liberties.

We understand the sentiment. No one enjoys losing the ability to smile at passersby or being forced to wear something you don’t want to wear.

But masks are not a personal choice.

There’s a basic principle in the law: Our rights end where another’s begins. You can shadowbox in a field, but the minute your fist comes in contact with someone else’s cheek, that’s assault.

Similarly, you could decide not to wear a mask, but you lose that right when there’s a chance the coronavirus bug could catch a ride in your mouth or your nose and get passed to someone else.

Other states that had seen progress in the fight against COVID-19 and reopened are now seeing the virus rebound and are shutting down again.

We don’t want Michigan to follow the same path.

Wearing a mask can help prevent that.

Please, wear your mask.

It’s not about you. It’s about the rest of us.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)