Yesterday I received a solicitation from Doctors Without Borders that said, “Five children die every minute due to malnutrition.” That thought was with me this morning as I read Michelle Malkin’s, “On the latest mask madness saga”.

When will people realize that mask wearing is a first-world problem? Rylee’s mother missed an opportunity to teach her daughter about civic responsibility, while assuring her that her teachers were doing their best to ensure her safety and the safety of all their students. Many of these teachers undoubtedly have children, too young to be vaccinated, at home so they are also trying to protect the health of their own families. As of the end of July, when most schools were not even in session, there were over 1,000 hospitalizations and 18 deaths among children in Colorado. Children now account for over 25% of COVID cases in our state.

Calling mask wearing/taping child abuse and a matter for the police is a drastic overreaction by this child’s parent. Also, I find it hugely ironic that Malkin, known for her outspoken attacks, called “indirect inference” child abuse. That’s stretching it a bit, even for Malkin. Did Rylee’s mom even consider that there was a smile under her daughter’s mask in that selfie? If the selfie was taken in fun, Rylee’s mom turned that smile into outrage.

My advise: Teach your children that masks do indeed save lives and donate to Doctors Without Borders. Save the children who really need it.

Kathleen Eichinger

Colorado Springs