Karen Malm, Ph.D, Mental Wellness Tips

Is It A Right? Or A Choice?

Posted on by Karen Malm
is-it-right-or-a-choice

As we are seeing a spike in Covid-19 cases, the issue of wearing masks continues to be a center of controversy. People argue that it is their right to not wear a mask. In this argument, I would point out the difference between a right and a choice. In Summit and Salt Lake Counties, it is a mandate to wear a mask. So there is not a “right” to not wear a mask. It can be a choice to not wear a mask just as it is a choice to drink alcohol and get behind the wheel of a car. A person does not have a right to drink and drive but can make the choice.

Wearing a mask is showing solidarity with the community to do what we can to stop the spread of Covid. We are willing to make sacrifices for the greater good. This pandemic is similar to going to war as we bunker down to fight this viral enemy. During World War II, our collective community pulled together to make significant sacrifices for the common good. There was rationing of food and gasoline. There were Victory Gardens to help grow food. We support our troops in any way we could. Women stepped into the workplace. It was an amazing time for our country which pulled together along with other countries to fight a common enemy.

Can you imagine asking our country today to eat less sugar? Meat? Use less gas? There would be an outrage. Instead, we hoarded toilet paper, cleaners, and masks. It was an “all about me“ attitude rather than a collective “we.”

If there is one thing that can come out of this pandemic, let us hope for a return to a collective “we.” We are a country of people, part of a larger world, and part of an even greater universe.  We need to fight together to beat the common enemy. 

Wearing a mask is a symbol of the collective we. It means you are willing to make a sacrifice for the common good. We need to put political differences aside for the protection of humanity.  

So please do your part, wear a mask, wash your hands, and remain socially distant. You can choose to be a part of the collective conscience, part of the healing of our country, and ultimately the world. 

Thank you for doing your part!

 

Karen W. Malm, PhD

Executive Director

Summit Community Counseling

5689 S Redwood Rd #27

Taylorsville, UT 84123

O: 801-266-2485

C: 801-599-0924

kmalm@summitcom.org

About the Author

karenm
Karen Malm

Karen Malm is a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of experience as a psychologist working in a variety of settings from inpatient facilities to schools to working with families in their homes and with a wide array of psychological issues and behavioral concerns.

She has worked with a variety of clients from very young to geriatric, with a host of issues, and with a variety of disabilities and needs. She shows flexibility in her approach to work with each client as an individual who deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Karen provides thorough psychological and neuropsychological assessments to understand the person and their strengths and barriers. She is skilled in working with children with reactive attachment disorder, adults and children with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and with therapy issues related to day-to-day life issues. Karen is also certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).