To the Editor:

Being the first pandemic of the scale and impact of COVID-19 I’ve experienced in my 50-some years, I’m taken aback at the astonished looks and exaggerated body language that accompany tribalism and panic evidenced by no paper towels, toilet paper, and pasta in stores for the past two months. (pasta! really?).

With so much discussion and print on masks and face-coverings lately, fortunately, for anyone genuinely concerned about it, clarity on masks and face coverings can be found in the governor’s Executive Orders 202.17 and 202.18: “... When in a public place and unable to maintain, or not maintaining, social distance.”

So, as we remain reasonably considerate and informed, this means for example, do we need a mask or face covering walking along the sidewalk, riding the bike trail, or walking through the parking lot of the local co-op? No.

Be safe, healthy, and reasonable.

Michael Bashant

Voorheesville